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April 11 -- John 18:1-18

“Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” –John 18:11 (NIV)

After Jesus finished His High Priestly Prayer, He and His disciples went into the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. We know from the other Gospel accounts that Jesus then went off to pray by Himself.

While they were in the garden, Judas led a group of soldiers and some of the chief priests and Pharisees to Jesus. Jesus knew what was about to happen but still asked, “Who is it you want?” (v. 4). When they replied, “Jesus of Nazareth” and Jesus said, “I am He,” the whole group “drew back and fell to the ground” (v. 5). There is no natural explanation for this. These people had come with weapons to arrest Jesus. They believed Him to be guilty of blasphemy, and yet they “fell to the ground” before Him. Could this have happened to show His disciples that no human being has any power over Jesus that He Himself has not allowed? That’s certainly one explanation. It is also likely that, having experienced this demonstration of power, the soldiers would now obey Jesus’ command to leave His disciples alone (v. 8).

Simon Peter, exhibiting his customary impulsiveness, jumped to Jesus’ defense, even though Jesus has just said He was fulfilling Scripture. Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant, Malchus, who was likely the leader of the group as the high priest’s representative. (Luke 22:51 tells us that Jesus immediately healed Malchus.) Jesus scolded Peter, telling him to put his sword away because this was all happening as part of God’s plan. Then, the leaders arrested Jesus and took Him to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest.

Annas had been high priest from 6-15 AD. Even though the Romans deposed him, his sons and son-in-law succeeded him, and he maintained a lot of influence over them. It seems he was the power behind the office, holding unofficial but significant authority. (He would also still have been referred to by the title of “high priest,” just as we continue to refer to former Presidents of the United States.) This interrogation was the first step on Jesus’ way to the cross.

Two disciples followed Jesus to Annas’s home: Peter and a disciple who knew the high priest. Many commentators believe this unnamed disciple is John, but John always refers to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” Others have made a case for Judas, who would have had connections with the high priest due to his betrayal and who was already with the arresting party. It is possible John refused to name Judas here simply because of the betrayal.

The unnamed disciple gained Peter’s entry to the high priest’s courtyard, and the servant girl sent to get him asked if he was Jesus’ disciple. Peter denied it. Just a few hours before, Peter had said he was willing to die for Jesus (John 13:37), and in the garden, he had used his sword to defend Jesus against a group of soldiers. Yet at this point, he was too afraid to admit his association with Jesus to a servant girl. Women’s testimony was considered invalid in those days, and this girl was a servant with no power. Her word would have no weight, yet Peter even feared her as Jesus’ death sentence drew near.

Peter exhibited the complexity all of us have. One day we can be on fire for God, and the next, lukewarm—or even doubting. We need Jesus—even to maintain our faith in Him. Jesus told Peter to expect this weakness, and after Peter succumbed to it, he repented and found forgiveness. Judas, on the other hand, despaired rather than repent. Notice the difference.

Nothing happens without God’s knowledge. Like Peter in this passage, sometimes it’s easy for us to forget that, and we can’t always see why God allows things. However, we can be certain that He is good and He is love. Spend some time with Him today, resting in that knowledge and expressing your love and gratitude. Ask Him to show you any recent ebbs and flows in your faith, to forgive you for the times you have been weak, and to strengthen you so that your faith and trust in Him continue to grow.

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My name is Melissa Anderson. I'm a spiritual director and ordained pastor who loves God, people, and words. You can read more about me by clicking the button below.

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