June 8, 2021
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Reading along with us in John? Here’s today’s reading:
John 18 (NIV)
Jesus Arrested
1 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it.
2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.......Continue Reading
Peter was so bold when he had Jesus by His side but once Jesus was taken away from him it was harder for him to remain so bold. He denied Jesus 3 times as Jesus said he would and as much as I want to feel disappointment in Peter I can’t say in all honesty I would remain so bold in the face of such fear. The crowd was calling for His death and I am sure it would be an easy transition to go after His disciples as well so Peter let fear get the best of him as so many times we do.
Each time I read through the story of Jesus’ arrest and ultimate sentencing I am struck at how hard Pilate works to stop it from happening. He is clearly moved by Jesus and resistant to allowing His death to happen.
John 18
Jesus time with his ministry snd disciples were coming to an end. And msn was playing right into Gods plan. They couldn’t wait to try to trap Jesus into condemning himself with some sort of charge they could bring to the Romans to have him killed. Man was about to do his worst. Go’d was about to do his best. Pilate tried three times to walk away from this dilemma he had. Somehow yo appease the Jews. But of course he caved. What is truth? Verse 38 Standing right in front of you!!!!
4Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”
5“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.
“I am he, ”Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
John 18’- verse 11 struck me when Jesus said shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me, he knew what was coming, the suffering he would have to endure to give us forgiveness. He knew Peter would deny him three times, he knew that Judas would turn him in. He’s given over to Pilate and he knew how Jesus was hated by the Jewish leaders and Pilate really didn’t want to deal with him. He tried to get the Jewish people to release Jesus but instead they want him crucified.
So much injustice is found here as Jesus is railroaded into being killed. But all according to God’s ordained purpose and Jesus always remains in complete control regardless of who He is interacting with. Even as He is being arrested He is looking to protect His disciples. Peter is brash and impulsive in an inappropriate way and yet cowers when it would be most appropriate to stand for Jesus. It is easy for us to be the same way, isn’t it? This meeting with Annas, a power broker amongst the Jewish leadership, a former high priest and related to the current high priest, is unique to the gospel of John. And Jesus keeps His cool and is always seeking truth and justice in His interactions. He is not afraid to say who He is and what it is all about, but He also seeks to challenge those He is with with there own thoughts, challenging them to think deeper about what is happening. His interaction with Pilate is classic in that regard. “What is truth?”, Pilate asks and He is standing right in front of him……But Jesus is not guilty of anything deserving death, but there are evil forces working together to make that happen….and yet it is exactly what God wants. What a great picture of how God’s sovereign hand operates in the context of human free will, especially when that free will is doing things wrong…..something tells me that is happening a lot in our world today….
It is interesting how in this chapter where Jesus seems to be powerless, the fact that he is in authority and in control is displayed.
When he approaches the soldiers and says, “I am He”, they DREW BACK AND FELL TO THE GROUND.
Peter cuts off the servants ear. It is not mentioned here, but we know that Jesus restored it in Luke 22:51.
Jesus’ prophesy about Peter is fulfilled.
Jesus says that he is a King but “now” my kingdom is not from here.