[:en]SCRIPTURE: JOHN 1
“Put your sword away! Shall I not drink of the cup the Father has given me?” (John 18:11)
“I am He” (John 18:5, 6, 8)
“You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me” (John 17:37)
JESUS ARRESTED (vs. 1-11)
After praying, Jesus and his disciples crossed the Kidron Valley and went to an olive grove. Judas, with a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priest and Pharisees went there. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. (v. 3)
Jesus told them: “I am He- Jesus of Nazareth” . Then He told them to let His disciples go. But Peter drew a sword and struck the ear of Malchus, the high priest’s servant. Jesus rebuked Peter saying: “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?:” (v. 11)
JESUS TAKEN TO ANNAS (vs. 12-14)
Jesus was bound and arrested. He was brought to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man dies for the people. (v. 14)
PETER’S FIRST DENIAL (vs. 15-18)
Peter was following Jesus at a far distance. A girl saw him and asked: “You are not one of His disciples, are you?” Peter replied: “I am not” (v. 17). Peter was standing with the servants and officials around a fire to keep him warm.
THE HIGH PRIEST QUESTIONS JESUS (vs. 19-24)
The high priest questioned Jesus about His teachings. Jesus told him to ask those who had heard Him taught in the synAgogues and temple. On hearing this, one of the officials struck Him. Jesus questioned him: “If I speak the truth, why did you strike me?” (v. 23). Then Annas sent Jesus to Caiaphas.
PETER SECOND AND THIRD DENIALS (vs. 25-27)
When people said that Peter was one of Jesus’ disciples, He denied for the second time. Then a high priest servant, a relative of Malchus challenged him: “Didn’t I see you with him in the olive grove?” (v. 26). Peter denied it for the third time and at that moment, a rooster began to crow.
JESUS BEFORE PILATE (vs. 28-40)
The Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate, the Roman governor. Pilate see no charges against Jesus but the Jews insisted to kill him. Pilate and Jesus had some conversations and Jesus told him that he was a king born to the world to testify to the truth (v. 37). It was the custom for the Jews to release one prisoner at the time of the Passover. The Jews wanted to release Barabbas and crucify Jesus.
SUMMARY:
The Garden is a significant place. Adam met Satan in the Garden of Eden and sinned. He hid himself when God called him. Jesus met the enemy in the Garden of Gethsemane but he triumphed. He openly revealed Himself in the garden saying: “I am He”.
Jesus warned His disciples to go away to avoid trouble but Peter preferred to disobey Christ by staying and using the sword to fight. Jesus healed Malchus in order to protect Peter from being arrested and executed. This teaches us that we should obey what Jesus said. Sometimes yielding and fleeing look like defeat but if it is the Father’s will, we have to obey.
In the garden, Peter was supposed to pray but he gone to sleep 3 times. During Jesus’ arrest, Peter denied Jesus 3 times. But when Jesus arose, He confirmed his love for Christ 3 times. It is important to heed God’s advice to Watch and Pray.
Annas and Caiaphas were partners in the temple trade and hated Jesus for cleansing the temple. They made a secret and unlawful trial and meted death sentence to Jesus. Pilate knew Jesus was innocent but he made the wrong decision because he wanted to please the people. In making decision, we should bear in mind to please God instead of men.
[:]