sermon notes

Notes for easter 29 & 31 march 2024

good friday service
“crossing the rubicon”

Jhn 18:1  When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.

As the Saviour crossed the brook Cedron there is a sense of a point of no return. 

The expression of crossing the Rubicon carries this meaning. The expression goes back to the time Julius Caesar crossed the river Rubicon and as he did so he committed himself to conflict. 

crossing the cedron  

The Saviour crossed the brook Cedron (black brook) and entered into the garden of Gethsemane. There followed a sequence of events which would lead to his death on the cross of Calvary.

crossing brook in eternity  

We might even speak of the eternal decrees of God to save man as Christ crossing a point of no return.

crossing brook in the promises  

The setting down of promises in the Scriptures added to this point of no return.

crossing brook in his birth  

When the Saviour was born he crossed the brook from the Heavens to this World.  

crossing brook of jerusalem 

We see the Saviour setting his face towards Jerusalem and as he did there is a sense of crossing the brook.

crossing brook in gethsemane 

When the Saviour prayed in the garden if this cup could pass from him and he said “thy will be done” once again he crossed the brook.

crossing brook on the cross  

There was an unseen brook on the cross as he entered the depths of the atonement.

sunday morning service
“three gardens”

See the gospel in the events which took place in these three gardens – garden of Eden – garden of Gethsemane – garden of the tomb and resurrection.

garden of eden

What holy happiness was in this garden at the first. Man was righteous altogether and walked with the Lord. Yet what misery there follows in the fall of Man. It is paradise lost, as John Milton said. 

garden of gethsemane

This garden was a place of fellowship and teaching for the Saviour and the disciples. It became a garden of agony as the sweatdrops of blood fell to the ground as he prayed. It was the beginning of taking away of sin.

garden of the tomb

This garden of the tomb was also a garden of resurrection. It speaks of the brightness of the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ and confirms the saving gospel and the glory to come.

sunday evening service
“three days and three nights”

Jon 1:17  Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

The three days and three nights of Jonah in the belly of the fish and his deliverance is compared to the burial of Christ and the resurrection.

general comparison

As we compare Jonah and Christ there are some things similar and some things dissimilar. Jonah was known for his disobedience and Christ for obedience. Both experienced judgment.

specific comparison 

We see the burial of Christ in Jonah’s days in the depths. We see the resurrection of Christ in Jonah rising from the depths. We see the gospel going forth in Jonah’s preaching in Nineveh.

greater comparison 

We are told that Christ is greater than Jonah. Since the people of Nineveh repented when Jonah preached, how much more should we with the message of Christ.