Happy Tuesday! It’s Holy Week and in this study we’re technically a week behind the calendar year. John spends several chapters in what we do in one week. So welcome, and come with me to study chapter 18.
First let’s pray:
Lord Jesus, the prayer you prayed in the last chapter, oh Lord, it’s beautiful and happening every day when someone reads the words Your faithful apostles wrote. Because everything is Yes in You. The wonderful things You do for us each day is beyond our imagination but I’m asking, Lord, for eyes that see and ears that hear what these words ahead of us today reveal. Grow our knowledge of you and build our faith. In Your precious name, I pray. Amen.
I’m in the NIV, if you don’t have one, go here. Then get something to write with and on and maybe a highlighter if you do have an NIV to mark up.
Read John 18:1
Jesus Arrested
Time-stamp. __________________ Place-stamp. ____________.
Read John 18:2-3
The Kidron Valley is the valley originating slightly northeast of the Old City of Jerusalem, which then separates the Temple Mount from the Mount of Olives. – Wikipedia
If you look up a map (in Google images) of the area, you’ll notice what else is beyond the Kidron Valley. Then that statement about ‘often met there’ would be clearer.
What were the pharisees carrying?
Read John 18:4-6
When Jesus said “I am he,” __________ diety. He is God. Back in Exodus 3 God tells Moses His name is I am who I am. Back in Daniel 10, this what Daniel sees:
4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris, 5 I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. 6 His body was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.
7 I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. 8 So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless. 9 Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground.
It’s a common response. Falling down in God’s presence. That’s the reason when Jesus flat out says “I am he” I figure he said “I am..he” that all these evil people drew back and fell down.
Read John 18:7-14
Write John 6:39. Then write John 18:9
Read John 18:15-18
Peter’s First Denial
Peter and John. There’s something special about Peter and John’s relationship, don’t you think? If only Peter could have borrowed John’s faith for this night. Yet what he does fulfills prophecy too.
Read John 18:19-24
The High Priest Questions Jesus
Unbelief is so awful. It doesn’t even see the truth.
Read John 18:25-27
Peter’s Second and Third Denials
Instant realization. That’s what happened to Peter when the rooster crowd. What else do we know about rooster crowing?
Read John 18:28
Jesus Before Pilate
They don’t realize they’re about to fulfill the Passover. All they care about is not defiling themselves by entering the palace so they can eat the passover meal. The lack of compassion is astounding. Yet Jesus gave, he was not taken, he gave.
Read John 18:29-37
Two things Jesus said…
“My _________ is not of this world”
“Everyone on the side of ___________ listens to me.”
Read John 18:38-40
Pilate said, “I find no basis for a ____________________.”
Truth, He who is Truth, stands there with people screaming against him. Oh how His heart must have been breaking. Maybe He was able to keep His mind on where He would soon be, back in God’s presence, so that Joy filled Him rather than the pain of this denial and the soon to come death. I think He felt it all. I think He loves us so very much and this broke His heart at all those who didn’t believe. Yet in giving himself over to death He will rescue everyone who believes both then and now. Then when He returns John 6:39 and John 18:9 will reach their ultimate fulfillment.