The Creator of the Universe Is Delivered into the Hands of Evil (Mat 20:17-19).

Class Outline:

Sunday August 31, 2025

 

Intro: Jesus continued to teach and illustrate to disciples. He had done so for years and still they failed to grasp the essential nature of the kingdom of heaven that He said was upon them.

 

To establish His kingdom on tiny planet earth, the King would willingly allow Himself to be delivered into the hands of evil, worthless men. For instance, the Creator of the universe becomes a man and then allows Himself to be abused to the extreme and killed.

 

In one sentence the hope of the world is summed up because everything depends upon one person. 

 

MAT 20:17-19. 

 

The context surrounding this statement is spiritual pride and spiritual ambition. It is hard for us to let go of our earthly roots.

 

Every believer is to submit to all the will of God (passive). 

 

“And going up to Jerusalem” 

 

He is not running from the Father’s plan for Him. 

 

Though great suffering is in store, He is walking towards it. 

 

It is the Father’s will that He suffers, is crucified, and resurrected. 

 

He is not like Jonah and like Jonah: Jonah was forced into the belly of a whale, He went willingly. 

 

And on the way - they are not allowed to hesitate. 

 

There is no option for them to stop and think about it. “We are marching towards the cross and you are going to learn of it on the way.”

 

The Word of God reveals His will. 

 

In this instance, He speaks of Himself in the third person. 

 

He is fulfilling in history what was decreed in eternity past. 

 

Isa 53 - the Servant of the Lord. 

 

He knows that these things will happen because He knows Moses, Psalms, Prophets (LUK 24:44-47). 

 

The Lord Jesus loves the Word of God and will do what it says. 

 

He knows it is inspired - God’s Word, God’s Truth, purposes, desire - must be done. 

 

It all happens as He said it would - fulfilling every word (mock, scourge, crucify) in all four passion narratives. 

 

The Lord becomes the child that He told them they must become (or they will not enter the kingdom of heaven and be the greatest in it).

 

The Son of Man will be (future passive) delivered to chief priests …

 

The Lord allows Himself (passive) to be delivered over to worthless men. 

 

He follows the Father’s will (PHI 2:5-11; HEB 10:5f) no matter what. 

 

Paradidomi: usages - Judas handed over to Sanhedrin, who handed Him over to Pilate, who handed Him over to the people and the soldiers. 

 

Christ handed Himself over for us (GAL 2:20; EPH 5:25).

 

The Father handed Him over for us all (ROM 8:32). 

 

He was handed over for our transgressions (ROM 4:25), so that we would be justified by faith (ROM 5:1). 

 

After His resurrection - all things had been handed over to Him - dominion over all (MAT 28:18) and He hands over the kingdom to the Father (1CO 15:24-25). 

 

The reward is promised to be given as God wills (surprisingly and extravagantly).

 

And on the third day He will be raised up (future passive). 

 

In putting His will in the Father’s hands He is putting His future blessing as well (the last will be first). 

 

There is a grand reason for the suffering and crucifixion of the Lord. 

 

Never is suffering for the will of God just for suffering’s sake. 

 

His suffering prior to the cross reveals the hatred of mankind for Him (“They hated Me without a cause” (JOH 15:25; PSA 69:4). 

 

The resurrection gave new life to all who believe. 

 

As He was crucified and raised, so would every believer be (ROM 6:3-11). 

 

He gave us a new life to meet the new ethic of being the last; the child who obeys the Father, forsaking his own will. 

 

Application: You must submit to God’s will. 

 

Submit to God’s will in everything and you will be blessed. 

 

Not even a destruction of life can stop the Almighty God from blessing you. 

 

Spiritual pride keeps your soul anchored to the earth, where moth and rust destroys. 

 

Spiritual ambition is sailing alone on a vast sea, but the kingdom of heaven is your life of sacrifice for others’ benefit and unity in love, faith, purpose, and spirit. 

 

Do not ask, “What will there be for us?” or say, “Look, we have worked all day and you have made the late comers equal with us.” or ask, “Can I have more in heaven than the others?”

 

Ask rather, “How are you so generous Lord when we all deserve hell-fire?” 

 

The Lord pulled them aside to show them the real heartbeat of the kingdom of heaven. 

 

Consider Christ when with all people and mimic Him. 

 

Pray - ask God for wisdom (JAM 1:5) so that you may know how and what to give to others. 

 

Recall His Word - what are passages which apply to serving? What is the reward? 

 

Recall history - what has selfishness gotten you in the past?