A Biblical Vision, Part II: Mastering the New Testament Witness to Christ

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A B i b l i ca l Vi s i on, Par t I I : Mas ter i ng the New Tes tament Wi tnes s to Chr i s t

6. Jesus’ great High Priestly prayer, John 17.1-26

a. The Father’s glory and the Son’s prayer to be restored to that glory, John 17.1-5

b. Jesus’ petition for the apostles, John 17.6-16

c. Jesus’ prayer for the Word, John 17.17-19

d. Jesus’ prayer for those who believe through the apostles’ words, and their relationship to God, one another, and the world, John 17.20-26

7. Peter’s denial predicted, Matt. 26.31-35

III. The Suffering of Jesus as the Lamb of God

Why Did Messiah Die?

[A]lthough Jesus was brought to his death by human sins, he did not die as a martyr. On the contrary, he went to the cross voluntarily, even deliberately. From the beginning of his public ministry he con secrated himself to this destiny. In his baptism he identified himself with sinners (as he was to do fully on the cross), and in his temptation he refused to be deflected from the way of the cross. He repeatedly predicted his sufferings and death . . . and steadfastly set himself to go to Jerusalem to die there. His constant use of the word “must” in relation to his death expressed not some external compulsion, but his own internal resolve to fulfill what had been written of him. “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep,” he said. Then, dropping the metaphor, “I lay down my life . . . No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord” (John 10.11, 17-18).

~ John Stott. The Cross of Christ . Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1986, pp. 60-61.