John 18 (Holy Week)

April 15, 2022

Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.

Reading along with us in John for Holy Week? 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

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This Post Has 4 Comments

  1. I love the places where Jesus’ power is inadvertently demonstrated. When Jesus says, “I am He” they back up and fall to the ground! This happens at the tomb as well, I believe. I think sometimes we overlook these minor comments and don’t recognize the significance of them.

    I feel sick for Peter. Our own fears and fleshly weakness demonstrate how completely we need Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf and the strength of the Holy Spirit to endure.

    Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”
    Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”
    Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

    It is interesting that Jesus says He is here to bear witness to the truth. It really emphasizes just how important the truth is. Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life.

    The Romans and Jews are concerned for earthly kingdoms and power and land, but Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world. One day the kingdoms of earth will be His. Revelation 11:15 “And the seventh angel sounded, and there were great voices in Heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever!”

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  2. These events are so familiar to those of us who have been believers for a while and yet so telling about Jesus’ commitment to His mission. You can just see that Jesus is stabilized by the knowledge of verse 4: He knows what is going to happen. Because of this, He seems to take everything in stride. I imagine it wasn’t easy but He maintains His composure, responding to people and situations and not reacting….still thinking of others rather than Himself. He is also upfront and honest…and answering questions for a desired impact so that even those who are coming against Him would come to know who He is.

    And as Jesus shows this courage and fortitude, Peter displays just the opposite, and yet no one cannot understand why Peter does what He does and all believers I would fathom have been in similar situations and been more like Peter than Jesus. Thank God for mercy and grace! And you can’t help but feel bad for Pilate, trying to keep the peace but not wanting to condemn someone who is innocent. Jesus is even trying to save Him…and who knows if He does. But things continue to unfold as God intended, even the very thought to kill Jesus being an expression of God’s word being fulfilled. He is in control. Then. Now. Forever.

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  3. Reading this chapter this time I was struck by the contrast between the strength and composer of Jesus in the face of His impending judgement and death in contrast to the frailty and fear of Peter in his denials of knowing Jesus. We are so weak without Him and when separated from Jesus this becomes so obvious in Peter.
    Jesus knows what is coming and has faith in His Father’s plan and yet we are so easily effected by fear even though what He has done for us gives us the victory.

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