Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 30, 2023

Shall I Not Drink the Cup?

John 18:1-12

1. Background 1-3

• after High Priestly Prayer of John 17
• to the Garden of Gethsemane
• arrival of Judas with military and religious leaders

2. Confrontation with Majesty 4-7

• foreknowledge and initiative of Jesus
• humble humanity and exalted divinity
• significance of the recoil of captors

3. Depiction of Mission 8-9

• the command of Jesus
• the fulfillment of Scripture (17:12)
• functioning as the Good Shepherd

4. Determination to Drink 10-12

• futility and intervention
• confidence in the Father’s perfect control
• cup: metaphor for death (Psa. 75:8, Isa. 51:17, Isa. 53:10-12)

5. So What?

• Because Jesus drank the cup for you, rest assured.
• “It was not their power but His own pity which drew Him to the judgment hall and the cross.” (Maclaren)
• “If this is the effect Jesus has on His enemies when He came to submit to judgment, what effect will He have on His enemies when He comes to execute judgment?” (Augustine)
• “O loving wisdom of our God! When all was sin and shame a second Adam to the fight and to the rescue came.” (Newman, “Praise to the Holiest in the Height”)