March 8, 2017
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Reading along with us in John? Here’s today’s reading:
John 18 (ESV)
When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.”… Continue Reading
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As I read through John 18, I’m struck by Peter in a new way. Not only did he have a sword, he knew how to use it. If Jesus was a pacifist (as many Christians claim), why was Peter armed? Jesus response wasn’t, “Peter, why do you have a sword?” but rather, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?” (John 18:11)
What also stood out to me about Peter is his zeal to protect the Lord. Did it have anything to do with a previous interaction between Peter and Jesus? In John 13:37-38, Peter says, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.”
Was Peter out to show Jesus that not only would he NOT deny him but he would be willing to fight for and die for Him as they faced “a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons?” (John 18:3)
But then we find Peter standing by the campfire warming himself in John 18:17 The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” They ask him again, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” (John 18:25).
That’s twice.
Then the heat gets turned up on Peter in John 18:26-27 where we read, “One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27 Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.”
It’s hard to read in verse 22 that “one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand.” The first blow of many to come. For Peter who would deny Him and for me, who is no different than Peter.
April 21, 2017 – I read John 17 and 18 tonight. Just after Jesus prays for us, He gets up and walks intentionally into the horrific death He knows He must suffer in order to reconcile us to God.
Picturing Him bound. Feeling the blow across His face. Imagining the courage He had to have as He knew “This has only just begun.” My stomach turns thinking about what is to come for my beloved Savior…
Oh, how He loves His Father. Oh, how He loves us. Oh, how He loves me….
“My kingdom is not of this world….as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” John 18:36
“You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” John 18:37
My king. I hear Your voice.