Arrested

Intro:

Up to this point John has spent the last 5 chapters describing what went on between Jesus and the disciples in the upper room.

Began in Chapter 13 with Jesus washing the disciples feet and predicting his betrayal

In Chapter 14 Jesus comforts his disciples and we here those words to Thomas “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the father except through me.” And then he promises that the Holy Spirit will come.

Chapter 15 uses the illustration of the vine and the branch to describe the relationship he has with the Father and with his followers and then he warns the disciples that the world will hate them for their affiliation with Him

Chapter 16 is more teaching on the Holy Spirit and that Jesus’ leaving and return will turn sorrow to joy

And finally Chapter 17 is that wonderful prayer that Jesus prays first for the God to glorify the mission, then to protect the disciples as the do their part to fulfill God’s mission and finally a prayer for all the believers that are to come.

Read 18:1-3

Not like the other garden accounts in the other gospels

Jesus goes some place familiar. Wants to be found by Judas. Fulfilling God’s plan.

Judas shows up with 100’s of Roman Soldiers and a hand full of temple guards.

Judas makes a bad guess at the nature of Jesus. Not a violent encounter, but how many soldiers would actually be enough.

David Guzik “A sinless man, in an appointed garden, about to do battle with Satan’s representative.”

The 2nd Adam will win the battle that the 1st Adam lost

Read 18:4-5

Jesus went out to meet them, he is on mission

Jesus is in complete control

“Who is it that you want?”

Jesus is deflecting the enemy away from his disciples

Jesus is putting it out there… Who?

Jesus of Nazareth technically his name.

SLIDE

In many Arab nations being called a Nazarite is no complement. In fact it is used to identify Christians for persecution.

Looking closer at Jesus’ response…NASB and NKJV "he” is italicized…added by translators. Jesus says, I AM.

What causes them to fall down? Some sort of display of authority

Philippians 2:9–11 NIV

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The irony of of Glory in the midst of Weakness

This is a common occurrence in the life of Jesus.

Read 18:7-9

Again Jesus is seeking to protect his disciples

Again a demonstration of his control over the situation.

Jesus know what we can handle and what we cannot. He know what lies in store for all the disciples. That is all but John would be martyred.

Would this not be true for us as well?

Read 18:10-12

Not uncommon to have a sword

Peter perhaps trying to live up to his boasts and strikes the high priest’s servant, Malchus.

Did he strike from behind?

When Jesus tells him to put his sword away he’s indicating that this is not that kind of movement.

Jesus will return with a sword but this is not the time.

What does Jesus mean “Shall I not drink this cup the Father has given me?”

Read 18:12-14

Jesus is bound

Brought before the religious leaders

The Romans and their commander were involved in this event, but it was the Jews, not the Romans, whom John says actually arrested Jesus. Or better still, it was the incarnate King Jesus who identified himself and thereby allowed the Jewish servants to take, seize, or arrest him and put him in bonds.

Gerald L. Borchert, John 12–21, vol. 25B, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2002), 223.

John points out it was Caiaphas who stated

John 11:49–51 NIV

Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation,

This is a great example of logical thinking that is not moral thinking

Read 18:15-18

John and Peter have doubled back

Verse 17 should a little sarcastic I think. “…are you?”

What do we notice about Peter’s denial “I am not.”

John 12–21 (2) Peter’s Entrance into the Courtyard and His First Denial (18:15–18)

The denial is especially significant in light of Peter’s earlier forceful statement that he would be willing to die for Jesus (13:37) and his impulsive attempt to defend Jesus (18:10). When Jesus was present, Peter was filled with boldness and sought to interfere in Jesus’ mission. But when he was alone and challenged, he lost his courage and abandoned his discipleship.

I don’t think it was premeditated. And maybe that’s the scary part.

May we never intentionally or casually deny that we know Jesus.