In the Midst of Trials

The Setting

John 18:1–3 NIV

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. Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 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.

John

The political climate in Jerusalem at the time. The Jews are a thorn in the side of the Roman empire. The position of Roman governor over Jerusalem is almost a certain death sentence. There was tremendous corruption on both side to be in positions of power and influence. This leads to a very delicate balance as each party is continually jockeying for position.

The political climate in Jerusalem at the time. The

In the midst of this political turmoil, the Roman government relied on strategic displays of power to keep the citizens in line. At the Passover feast every year, a large Roman battalion was stationed in Jerusalem to remind the people who was truly in charge.

This backdrop serves as the catalyst for the decisions of the major players depicted in the John’s gospel over the next few chapters.

Jesus has finished his final instructions to his disciples. The hour has come upon us. Jesus leads them across the Kidron valley, a low area that separated the temple mount and the city from the olive gardens outside the city. Since the city of Jerusalem was built on a hill, space was limited and furthermore, manure was ceremonially prohibited to be just on the soil within the city limits since the temple was there, so many wealthy people built private gardens on the slopes of this hillside just outside the city. On the night of the Passover, Jewish law required observing Jews to remain within an extended city limit that would have included the garden area.

John states that the disciples and Jesus had gathered in this garden regularly enough that Judas knew the place. It is quite possible that this was where Jesus and the disciples gathered each night of the week to meet and sleep. Judas leads a small battalion of soldiers, both members of the Roman army and the temple police to arrest Jesus. They come with torches and lanterns ready to search every nook and cranny for Jesus and His disciples.

The Faith of Christ

John 18:4–14 NIV

Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said. Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.” Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.

John 18:4-

John 18:19–24 NIV

Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.” When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded. “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

John 18:

John make note of the presence of Christ in the moment, he knew all that was going to happen. As the guards approach the garden where He and the disciples laid, Jesus calls out to the guards. Like today, there is great shame that accompanies being arrested. While the law states that one is innocent until proven guilty, there is a stigma that is associated with being arrested. The notion is that one would not be arrested unless there was sufficient evidence that one is guilty.

The chief priests desired to discredit Jesus by shaming Him. He was to be dragged through the streets in the night right after everyone had finished their Passover feast. The city would be on confined to the area around their homes. The hope was to show Jesus’ shame, but Jesus knows no shame. He is doing the Father’s will. Every step, every encounter, every word was a part of God’s plan. Jesus knew that every part of what He would endure would result in Him being glorified. God had already worked good from the bad. Jesus was walking the path before Him with complete faith that God had already designed victory from it.

With this, Jesus calls out to the guards, facing the arrest with complete authority. As he responds, the guards are taken aback by his presence and power. They fall to their knees. Make no mistake, if it was not Jesus’ desire or time, the guards would have not been able to put a hand on Him. They were unable to touch Jesus when they wanted to stone him in chapter 8 and when they desired to arrest him at the end of chapter 10.

The time had come for Jesus to fulfill the plan of God. Nothing would stand in his way, not even Peter and his sword. When our perspective changes from ourselves to God above, our resolve changes to match the confidence of one who already knows of the victory.

Jesus is sent before Annas. Annas had bribed his way into office and still served as the puppet master for the religious authority of Israel. He despised Jesus. Jesus had cost him and his family money when he tipped the tables over in the temple. He threatened the grip of power that he held so near and dear. It is out of this rage that Annas demands Jesus be brought before Him.

Annas responds out of his flesh and questions Jesus on the claims of blasphemy. This was illegal for Annas to do. Under Jewish law, authorities were not allowed to ask the accused directly of their wrongs. A confession was not admissible in proving guilt. Instead, the authorities were to gather the statements of the witnesses and present those to establish guilt. Jesus calls into question Annas’ practice as he should know better.

Jesus never hid who He was. He preached int he open of the temple and the synagogues. He pointed people back to the Lord. Now as He stood before the authority, He continued to stand with boldness, not because he knew he was right, but because of who had sent him.

The Doubt of Peter

John 18:15–18 NIV

Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in. “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.” It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.

John 18:15-

John 18:25–27 NIV

Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not.” One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.

John 18:25-

Peter is the disciples who had said earlier that he would gladly lay down his life for Christ. Peter was even bold enough to be the one to carry the sword. Even though he was not skilled with it, he was quick to use it in defense of his Savior. Peter is often portrayed as the disciple who failed, but we must see Peter’s love and devotion for Christ. Even after his attempt to defend His Master’s honor was rebuked, Peter followed Jesus to the home of Annas. The other disciples, save one, had scattered, but Peter remained with Jesus, at a distance but still near to Jesus.

You could probably hear the thoughts that must have flooded Peter’s mind as he walked behind the battalion of soldiers. His friend was being led to his death. All that he had hoped for was being lost before his eyes. His heart was broken for Jesus and at the same time, there had to be thoughts of self intermingled with his distress. What good could come from his death beside that of Jesus? There may even have been thoughts about how Peter could strategically place himself to be there for his friend in the moment of greatest need.

As Peter is waiting for permission to continue into Annas courtyard, the distress, anxiety and sorrow must have been overwhelming. As Peter is given access to the courtyard, he is confronted by a servant girl asking if he was also one of Jesus’ disciples. Peter’s response is the first of his three denials. In the short time that Jesus is in Annas’ house being questioned, Peter would deny knowing Christ two more times.

The denial of Peter is seen as this immense failure. How could one who loved Jesus so much fall so quickly? Let us not be too quick to judge Peter. John gives us the perfect picture of all of our struggles. We desire to do what is good and right, but we stumble and fall short. Paul describes it this way, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Our heart desires to hold steadfast but our perspective can not see past the oncoming danger.

This is the heart of the contrast between Peter and Jesus. Jesus’ perspective could see the glory to come so the danger ahead was known to be temporary and necessary. Peter on the other hand could only see the present danger. If only Peter could see beyond this moment to Jesus meeting him on the shore and commissioning him to care for his sheep. If only Peter could see ahead to the moment of Pentacost as three thousand would hear the truth of Christ spoken from Peter’s mouth in their own tongue. If only Peter could see forward to the beginning of the church and the spread of the salvation of Christ.

The difference between Peter and Jesus, the difference between Peter on that Passover night and the Peter who told his captors to crucify him upside down for he was unworthy to die like his savior was perspective. Peter saw the victory had been won for him.

This is the truth of the gospel that propelled Jesus to the cross, the truth of the gospel that shaped the early church and the truth of the gospel that shapes our lives today, the victory has already been won. Did you hear that, the victory has already been won. Our hope is not in a victory that is yet to happen. We are not hoping and praying that Jesus will be victorious. He already has won the battle. The fight has been fought and Jesus stands victorious. All that we face in this life, every storm, every trial, every broken circumstance has already been overcome.

Jesus said take heart for I have overcome the world. Not will but have. When our perspective changes, we see our life in terms of God’s glory. He is glorified and we are glorified. Yes, we may be in the midst of the battle, but the victory has already arrived. This is the good news.

Challenge to shift our perspective. Matthew books.