Last time we read the prayers of Jesus before He was arrested. These are often called the High Priestly prayers. He prayed for Himself to be glorified. He prayed for His disciples. He prayed for all believers, then and in the future. He prayed that we glorify Him in all we do and for us to live in unity.
John 18:1-14 – Jesus Arrested
Jesus had prepared Himself for the events to come by praying for Himself, His disciples, and for all believers. After Jesus finished praying He and His disciples crossed over the Kidron Valley and entered the Garden of Gethsemane where He and His disciples often went. Judas knew this place. Judas went to Gethsemane with a detachment of soldiers (about 600 men) and officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They came with torches and weapons. The other gospels tell us that Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss to let the officials know which one to arrest. Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen. Dear friend, He knows exactly what is happening in your life, too. He knows if there is a Judas betraying you. Remember God knows everything. He has a plan and is always in control.
Jesus was calm and protected His disciples by walking right up to them asking them who they were looking for even though He already knew. They replied that they were looking for Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, “I am He.” – John 18:5. Notice here is another “I Am”. They then fell backwards to the ground. This is very interesting. The enemies of God always fall backwards, but the friends of God always fall forward on their faces. This shows the authority and power of Jesus.
Jesus didn’t retaliate, but took the initiative and greeted His persecutors. He commanded the soldiers to let His disciples go because it was Him they wanted. Jesus was in complete control of His arrest and death. He was not a tragic victim. He was the Good Shepherd who willingly laid down His life for His sheep.
Peter drew his sword and struck the high priest’s servant cutting off his ear. Jesus told Peter to put his sword away. Luke 22 tells us that Jesus touched the man’s ear and healed him. Jesus said, “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” – John 18:11. Jesus willing took the cup of God’s wrath for us. He willing spared us from the punishment we deserve.
Then a detachment of solders with its commander and Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They must have been really afraid of Jesus and thought He was really dangerous if it took that many men to arrest one man. They took Him to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was the high priest. Was Jesus powerless at this point? Of course not! He is God. “Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than 12 legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” – Matt. 26:53-54.
Jesus chose to be arrested and suffer the cross to save us instead of saving Himself. He was willing and submissive. He wants the same willing submission for us. He gave us an example to follow. As Christians we will be falsely accused, hated, and judged. We are to be more like Jesus by allowing ourselves to suffer and be crucified for doing the right thing instead of lashing out at some false accusations others might bring upon us. This way you are showing your accusers God’s love for them giving them opportunity for healing. Just as we were healed by Christ’s wounds, others will be healed by your wounds. “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” – 1 Peter 2:23-24
How are you choosing to be a victim in your circumstances?
Judas in not mentioned in this gospel again. We know from other Scriptures that he committed suicide because he realized what he had done, but he never truly repented.
We can trust Jesus because He is Lord. We can trust Him for our salvation. We can trust Him when we go through troubles. He is Lord over every situation in our lives, even our own death. We can trust that He is in control!
Principle: Jesus is Lord over everything, including His death.
John 18:15-27 – Peter’s Denial
Peter and another disciple followed Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard. As he was standing around a fire with the others to keep warm, a girl saw Peter and asked if he was the one who was with Jesus. He said that he was not. Peter blatantly denies being a disciple of Jesus. Remember Jesus had told him before that he would deny Him 3 times before the rooster crowed. How quickly our flesh can change when faced with fear and doubt.
They brought Jesus first to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas the high priest. Annas questioned Him, which was against Jewish law. Jesus said He had done nothing in secret and had always done things legally and that he should not be asking Him questions. All of his examination failed; Jesus never had any hope of a just trial. Then an officer struck Him. Jesus was then taken to Caiaphas. Everything they did at the trials of Jesus was illegal.
Again while Peter was warming himself, he was asked if he was Jesus’ disciples. He denied it again. That’s the 2nd denial Jesus predicted. Then another challenged Peter and asked if he had seen him in the grove with Jesus. Peter denied it again. That’s the 3rd denial. Then the rooster crowed. Luke 22 tells us that Peter remembered what Jesus had said. Then he went out and wept bitterly.
We see the contrast between Jesus and Peter - Jesus in His strength and Peter in his weakness. Jesus gained strength through prayer, but Peter along with the other disciple fell asleep in the garden instead of praying. Trusting in our own commitment and devotion to Jesus is a sure way to fail Him. Proverbs 16:18 tells us that pride goes before a fall. 2 Corinthians 12:10 tells us that when we are weak, then we are strong. When we know this, then we trust in the Lord and His strength. Prayer gives us strength to deal with life issues and hard times. Jesus wants us to come to Him in all things for guidance and strength.
Still Jesus in His infinite love didn’t forsake Peter. After the resurrection, He still loved and forgave him. Those that had heard Jesus’ prediction also heard of Peter’s failure. They probably never let him forget. In Acts 2 we see that through Peter’s message at Pentecost 3,000 were saved. That’s 1,000 for every three times he denied Jesus.
We all fail is some way, but our failures are not as well-known as Peters. We’ve all denied Jesus in some way. We fail to recognize our own weakness and trust in ourselves instead of in the Lord. We fail to pray as often as we should. We fail to always depend on the Father. We fail to fear God more than people. We can always trust our faithful Savior whenever we fail.
When have you been prone to fail the Lord?
Unlike the self-serving high priest Caiaphas, Jesus is our faithful High Priest. He sacrificed Himself willing for us. When we fail, we can draw near to Him to find grace to help in our time of need.
Principle: Even when you fail the Lord, you can trust in our Faithful Savior, who never fails.
Next week we will continue our study of John 18. Have a blessed day and thanks for visiting my site. – I encourage you to trust in Jesus.
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