Following A Fugitive
Luke 22:35-38
November 29, 2020
This morning we return one final time
To the upper room here in Luke’s gospel.
After these final 4 verses, Jesus and the disciples will depart and go to the Mount of Olives and Jesus will enter the Garden of Gethsemane where He will pray before His arrest.
In order to keep the whole evening in perspective.
• You know about the Passover Meal, the washing of the feet, and ultimately the Lord’s Supper announcement.
• You know about the announcement of a traitor, the discussion and dispute the followed with the disciples.
• You know how Jesus praised the 11 and promised them a kingdom.
• You know how Jesus announced the sifting and scattering of these men in order to prove their faith.
This morning we will read in Luke’s gospel about
Jesus final announcement of His coming death.
And that is where the synoptic gospels break the story
And move on to the garden and the praying of Jesus.
If you want to fill in your timeline with Luke’s gospel,
• Then after the text we read today you can throw in John 14 where after this
announcement Jesus addresses the troubled hearts of the disciples.
• Jesus announces the coming Holy Spirit and actually tells the disciples they
should rejoice in His announcement because He is going to the Father.
• And at the end of John 14 they all leave the upper room.
• It is on the way to the Mount of Olives that John includes the conversations of
John 15, 16, and the prayer of John 17.
Perhaps that helps you bring the entire evening and events into focus.
But here we have LUKE’S FINAL ANNOUNCEMENT of the upper room
And it is a BOMBSHELL!
It is so big and so important that before we work through the text,
I just want to pull it out and address it by itself first.
The bombshell announcement comes in verse 37, “For I tell you that this which is written must be fulfilled in Me, ‘AND HE WAS NUMBERED WITH THE TRANSGRESSOR’; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment.”
That is a HUGE announcement from Jesus.
Already in Luke’s gospel we have several times when
Jesus announced His coming death.
That is not new.
Luke 9:22 “saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day.”
Luke 9:44 “Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.”
Luke 18:31-33 “Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. “For He will be handed over to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and mistreated and spit upon, and after they have scourged Him, they will kill Him; and the third day He will rise again.”
It is true that they haven’t really grasped it when He has announced it,
But still, He has said it several times.
In Luke 18 He even alluded to the fact that His death was of prophetic fulfillment saying, “all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished.”
So He’s announced His death and that it is a prophetic death.
WHAT MAKES THIS ONE DIFFERENT?
Namely the passage Jesus identifies as being a prophecy about Him.
Do you recognize the verse He quotes?
“AND HE WAS NUMBERED WITH THE TRANSGRESSORS”
Isaiah 53:12 “Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors.”
• Many times we read Isaiah 53 and certainly we talk about the atonement of Christ from that magnificent chapter.
• We even read how the apostles, obviously inspired by the Holy Spirit, take that chapter and apply it to Jesus.
But unique here is that the first person to ever take that chapter
And apply it to Jesus…WAS JESUS!
He said that chapter is about Me!
This is now the second Isaiah passage that Jesus has claimed to fulfill.
Luke 4:17-21 “And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written, “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.” And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS EQUALLY AS BIG.
TURN TO: ISAIAH 53
Now, I like outlines as a way of understanding passages so let me just give you a quick one for Isaiah 53.
1. HIS HUMILIATION (1-3)
2. HIS PROPITIATION (4-6)
3. HIS AUTHENTICATION (7-9)
4. HIS GLORIFICATION (10-12)
Here Isaiah speaks of a man who was identified as “the arm of the LORD”
Which is a reference to saving might and saving power,
But who was not recognized as such.
• He was not recognized because His form and His appearance were not overly
impressive.
• He was ultimately despised and forsaken and acquainted with grief and He
was not esteemed.
He was God’s means of salvation, but no one recognized it.
THAT IS HIS HUMILIATION.
From there Isaiah saw His awful death,
• Even announcing that He would be “pierced through”
But Isaiah said it wasn’t for His own sin, but for OUR sin.
God was laying our iniquity on Him and then punishing Him for it.
THAT IS HIS PROPITIATION.
Thirdly we see how even in His affliction, He never argued or fought back.
• He was led away, He was slaughtered, He was cut off
• And no one seemed to see why that was happening.
But even though He was being executed as a criminal still
GOD INTERVENED AND GAVE HIM AN HONORABLE BURIAL
For He was buried in a rich man’s tomb with honor.
Though executed, was actually endorsed by God.
THAT IS HIS AUTHENTICATION.
Even though God would authenticate Him, God was still pleased to crush Him
• Because God was accomplishing salvation for His children through that death.
Through His death He would justify the many
Because He is bearing their iniquities
Because of this sacrificial act God would exalt Him
THAT IS HIS GLORIFICATION.
It is a remarkable chapter.
It is a glorious truth.
And it is that last verse that we focus on for today.
(12) “Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors.”
That statement “numbered with the transgressors”
Is the greatest summation sentence of the entire chapter.
“numbered” in Isaiah 53:12 is the Hebrew word MANAH (mu-nau)
It means “to be reckoned” or “to be assigned”
In Luke’s gospel in the Greek it is the word LOGIZOMAI (lo-geed-zo-my)
Which means the same thing. “to be reckoned”
It speaks of identification.
It speaks of having a sentence passed on one’s character.
In this instance, think of a MUG SHOT of a criminal.
Just to see that picture is to associate it with guilt and shame and lawlessness.
That is what is spoken of here.
This man that Isaiah wrote of
Would be a man who would suffer the reputation blow
Of being labeled a transgressor of the Law.
This man that Isaiah wrote about,
Would be innocent, but would be treated by man and even by God
As though He were a traitor and a criminal.
• His reputation would be smeared
• His honor would be stripped
• His teaching would be discredited
• He would be labeled; branded; regarded; numbered as a transgressor.
And for the first time in History Jesus announces who this man is.
Jesus says, “IT IS ME.”
That chapter is “that which refers to Me”
And by quoting once sentence
Jesus makes the clearest statement that could possibly be made
As to the PURPOSE of His death.
• He is going to die so that He can bear the punishment that sinners receive.
• He is going to bear our griefs
• He is going to carry our sorrows
• He is going to be pierced through for our transgressions
• He is going to be crushed for our iniquities
• He is going to be chastened for our well-being
• He is going to be scourged for our healing
• Our iniquity is going to be laid on Him
• He will be cut off from the land of the living because of our transgression
• He will receive the stroke that we deserve
• He will be crushed because of our guilt
• He will bear our iniquities
• He will be poured out to death for our sin
• He will be numbered with the transgressors
HIS DEATH IS FOR OUR SALVATION.
Jesus was the first to announce that.
He would be considered a fugitive
In order to save those who really are.
That is the massive announcement here this morning.
But because of that fact there is A SECONDARY CONSEQUENCE
That the disciples need to be aware of.
AND THAT IS WHAT THESE FINAL 4 VERSES ADDRESS.
• If Jesus is ultimately labeled as a transgressor, what sort of effect will that have
on His followers?
• If Jesus is going to be branded as a fugitive, what sort of effect will that have
on His ministry?
I think you know the answer.
Anyone who sticks with Him after this night
Will also be labeled traitors, fugitives, conspirators, and transgressors.
We understand collusion
We understand guilt by association
And this is the consequence Jesus is about to announce
To these 11 faithful disciples in the room.
Let’s work our way through these 4 verses together.
#1 THEIR FORMER MINISTRY
Luke 22:35
Here Jesus simply reminds them of
What ministry has been like over the first 3 years.
And while there have been trials and hardships
And decisions of faithfulness to be made,
STILL, FOR THE MOST PART THE MINISTRY HAS BEEN A POSITIVE ONE.
• There have been record crowds…
• There has been extreme popularity at times…
And here Jesus even reminds them of
What it was like the first time He sent them out on mission.
“And He said to them, “When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?” And they said, “No, nothing.”
And we remember that commission.
Luke 9:1-6 “And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing. And He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, neither a staff, nor a bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not even have two tunics apiece. “Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that city. “And as for those who do not receive you, as you go out from that city, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” Departing, they began going throughout the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.”
The disciples were going out to preach and minister,
THEY COULD EXPECT a certain level of HOSPITALITY as they went.
Certainly not everyone would be enthused with their ministry,
But they would always be able to find someone who was.
Even in the next chapter when Jesus sent out the 70 we read:
Luke 10:4-7 “Carry no money belt, no bag, no shoes; and greet no one on the way. “Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’ “If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. “Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house.”
Jesus told them as they went to count on hospitality.
• Someone would feed them
• Someone would clothe them
• Someone would house them
• It was going to be a favorable mission.
And we even remember the exuberant response of the 70
When they came back from that short term mission.
Luke 10:17-20 “The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” And He said to them, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you. “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”
When they came back, it was just like Jesus said.
• They found people to be hospitable…
• They found illnesses to be healable…
• They found demons to be subservient…
And for 3 years that has sort of been what missions was like.
• Certainly there were always a few who rejected…
• Certainly there was the occasional debate with the religious elite…
But for the most part, people welcomed Jesus into town.
• They loved His miraculous power…
• They fed Him…
• They clothed Him…
• They honored Him…
Being one of the main followers of Jesus had its perks.
So long as Jesus was regarded as the Messiah
Or at the very least as a Teacher or even a Prophet
FOLLOWING JESUS WAS AN HONORABLE THING.
But as we said, JESUS’ TITLE IS ABOUT TO CHANGE.
• Jesus title is about to shift in the public eye from Messiah to Transgressor.
• Jesus title is about to shift in the public eye from Teacher to Traitor.
Things are going to change.
All that easy stuff was their former ministry.
#2 THEIR FUTURE MINISTRY
Luke 22:36, 38
In a somber announcement Jesus told the 11 that
The days of banquets, celebrations and basic hospitality are over.
Don’t expect that treatment any more.
“But now, whoever has a money belt is take it along, likewise also a bag”
• Don’t count on people feeding you anymore, buy your own food.
• Don’t count on people clothing you anymore, take extra clothes with you.
• Don’t count on people housing you anymore, pay your own way.
And then the somewhat confusing statement,
“and whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one.”
Leo already asked me about that verse last week,
And so I’ll give you the same answer I gave him.
“I don’t know”
I can tell you what others say.
MacArthur says Jesus is speaking figuratively when He says this, and in a moment when He tells them, “It is enough” that He is saying, “No more sword talk.”
I read some who see it is a staging prop, that Jesus wanted them to have swords so they would look like a band of rebels at His arrest.
Others today certainly use it as a defense of self-defense and tie it to the 2nd amendment and the need for guns.
Here we simply apply basic laws of Bible hermeneutics.
(Bible interpretation)
And rule #1 of Biblical Hermeneutics is this:
SCRIPTURE INTERPRETS SCRIPTURE
And sort of as a sub-point we’d say that
Clearer passages explain passages that aren’t as clear.
For example.
1 Corinthians 15:29 “Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?”
That verse is in chapter where Paul is defending the resurrection from the dead.
You can read that verse and legitimately ask, “What is Paul talking about when he mentions being baptized for the dead?”
And here’s the best answer I can give you.
I don’t know what he means, but I know what he doesn’t mean.
Based on the rest of Scripture I know Paul doesn’t mean that after a person dies, someone else can be baptized on their behalf and that person be saved.
The rest of Scripture makes that clear.
You let the rest of Scripture shed some light on that verse.
This is how I handle Luke 22:36.
What does Jesus mean when He tells them buy a sword?
Well, in the context, it is obvious He is referring to the fact that
Where they were not formally in danger, now they will be.
Formerly they did not need a sword,
But in the future a sword might be handy.
Does that mean that Jesus endorsed self-defense, even the use of violence?
I can say that this is clearly what the disciples thought He meant at the time.
• They thought He meant that if they found themselves in danger they would have to use a sword to defend themselves.
Luke 22:49-50 “When those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear.”
And that explains their statement in verse 38
(38) “They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”
They understood Jesus announcement of danger
And they immediately looked for a sword.
Now, we must also note that
• After finding just 2 swords Jesus said, “It is enough”,
• And we must note that 2 swords isn’t much for 12 people, especially with a Roman cohort (at least 480 soldiers) on the way.
Clearly Jesus didn’t have a war on His mind here.
We also must note that at the arrest Peter is actually going to use one of those swords and try to take a guy’s head off.
Jesus will respond:
Luke 22:49-51 “When those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, “Stop! No more of this.” And He touched his ear and healed him.”
The disciples understood the statement to mean it was time to fight,
But Jesus’ response here makes one cautious about their understanding.
No sooner do they strike with a sword
Than does Jesus rebuke them,
And immediately undo what they just did.
They thought Jesus meant to fight for the kingdom, clearly Jesus did not.
Furthermore, (if we allow Scripture to interpret Scripture) THERE IS NOT ANOTHER INSTANCE in all of the New Testament where the apostles either used a sword or encouraged others to do it.
We might also remember Jesus’ words to Pilate:
John 18:36 “Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.”
SO WHERE DO WE LAND?
• If you want to use this verse to speak of self-defense, it is hard to argue
with you since Jesus clearly said to take a sword.
• If you want to use this verse to defend using a sword, you also have a
difficult time on your hands since the rest of Scripture will stand against it.
That’s why I told you, I’m not sure what Jesus meant.
I know what the disciples thought He meant.
And I know how Jesus responded very soon after.
BUT THE BASIC POINT TO BE MADE IS THAT
THE DAYS OF SAFETY ARE OVER.
The hospitality and safety and camaraderie that you formerly experienced
IS A THING OF THE PAST.
Future missions are going to be cold and lonely and dangerous.
The Former Ministry, The Future Ministry
#3 THEIR FUGITIVE MINISTRY
Luke 22:37
Here Jesus tells the disciples
WHY this ministry will go from friendly to dangerous.
Namely because that famous prophecy is about to be fulfilled.
“For I tell you that this which is written must be fulfilled in Me, ‘AND HE WAS NUMBERED WITH THE TRANSGRESSORS’; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment.”
I am about to be labeled as a fugitive.
I am about to be as a transgressor.
Think about this night.
• The false witnesses will call Him a liar…
• The chief priests will call Him a blasphemer…
• They’ll take Him to Pilate and call Him an insurrectionist…
• They’ll stand Him before Herod who will mock Him as a phony…
• They will stand Him before the crowd who will condemn Him as a transgressor who deserves crucifixion…
The public persona of Jesus is going to change drastically.
This helps you understand THE SIFTING PROCESS that is about to occur.
Luke 22:54-61 “Having arrested Him, they led Him away and brought Him to the house of the high priest; but Peter was following at a distance. After they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter was sitting among them. And a servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and looking intently at him, said, “This man was with Him too.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.” A little later, another saw him and said, “You are one of them too!” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” After about an hour had passed, another man began to insist, saying, “Certainly this man also was with Him, for he is a Galilean too.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.”
See how that works?
It wasn’t knowing Jesus that threatened Peter,
It was the accusation that Peter was with Jesus or one of them.
They had Jesus on trial and Peter was accused of being part of His gang.
Up until that night being associated with Jesus had been a good thing.
• During the triumphal entry being associated with Jesus was amazing.
• Even during the temple sermons as Jesus silenced the chief priests being associated with Jesus was great.
But all of a sudden the public view of Jesus had changed.
Now to be associated with Jesus made you a criminal.
John 15:18-20 “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.”
John 16:1-4 “These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling. “They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. “These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me. “But these things I have spoken to you, so that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them. These things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.”
It’s the danger of guilt by association.
“If you ride with an outlaw, you die with an outlaw.”
The days of easy and hospitable missions are over.
You are about to enter this world labeled as a criminal gang.
THINK ABOUT THAT.
Honestly, we have known nothing of that thus far in America.
• Jesus, by in large, has maintained a good reputation in America.
• And so following Jesus has been a relatively easy thing.
• For years being a Christian has even been considered a good thing.
But what happens when the public perception on Jesus changes?
• What happens when Jesus is seen as a fugitive, not a Savior?
• What happens when Jesus is labeled a hoax, not holy?
Are you prepared to follow Christ even when the world hates Christ?
You can see the apostle’s struggle in this.
1 Corinthians 4:9-13 “For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor. To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless; and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now.”
2 Corinthians 4:7-11 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.”
Peter would recognize that the title “Christian” was a derogatory term in his day and yet he encouraged the church to embrace it.
• Called fools for Christ.
• Considered fugitives because of Christ.
THE EASY DAYS WERE OVER.
And on this night, as Jesus ate this final Passover with them,
They were each forced to address this new reality in their hearts.
Would they be willing to be fools for Christ?
Would they be willing to be fugitives for Christ?
Many of you have read the book of John Bunyan called “Pilgrim’s Progress”.
• John Bunyan was a preacher in the 17th century who had been arrested sentenced to 3 months in jail
• For violating the Conventicle Act of 1593 which made it illegal to attend services outside of the perish.
• The act arrested and then banished ministers who gathered groups of 5 or more as they were seen as a threat to the crown.
• If the charged would swear to stop they were released after 3 months and then banished..
Bunyan would not swear the oath and ended up serving 12 years.
• But as he was a fugitive for Christ his wife and children would occasionally visit him in jail;
• One of which was his blind daughter Mary.
• Bunyan was poor before he was imprisoned and now his family was all but destitute without him.
As his family would visit and depart,
Bunyan wrote in his book “Grace Abounding”:
“The parting with my wife and poor children hath oft been to me in [prison] as the pulling the flesh from my bones . . . especially my poor blind child, who lay nearer my heart than all I had besides; O the thoughts of the hardships I thought my blind one might go under, would break my heart to pieces.”
https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/gallery-of-people-around-john-bunyan
Here was a man who was contemplating and living and suffering
Under exactly the type of thing Jesus warned the disciples of.
Bunyan had become a fugitive because He followed a Fugitive.
We see in Scripture that we are called to proclaim the truth
“in season and out of season”,
when Jesus is esteemed and when He is not.
And that is the weight of what Jesus told the disciples here.
Be faithful even when it isn’t popular.
DOES THIS SOUND UNFAIR?
Does this sound unjust?
Does it sound wrong for you to be considered a fugitive just because you identify with Jesus?
Perhaps until you go back to our Lord’s announcement
And remember that the only reason He was considered a fugitive
Is because He identified with you.
He asks you to identify with Him and become a fugitive in the eyes of men
Because He identified with you and became a fugitive in the eyes of God.
CERTAINLY THAT IS NOT TOO MUCH TO ASK
This morning we are going to come again to the Table of the Lord.
• Certainly it is a reminder of His atonement on our behalf.
• Certainly we remember the meal earlier in the night.
But perhaps this morning we partake in a different light.
Perhaps this morning we partake
Contemplating the high cost of identifying with Him.
Jesus offered Himself to the disciples
And then bid them to face hostility on His behalf.
1 Corinthians 11:26 “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”
We have often sung the hymn of the Getty’s called “Behold the Lamb”
We remember that final verse.
“And so with thankfulness and faith We rise to respond: and to remember
Our call to follow in the steps of Christ As His body here on earth.
As we share in His suffering, We proclaim: Christ will come again!
And we’ll join in the feast of heaven Around the table of the King.
This morning we partake in that mindset.
We share in His sufferings, but we do so in hope of His return.
We partake and we proclaim Christ (no matter the cost) until He comes.
We will have a time of preparation and then partake.
