18 After saying these things, Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley with his disciples and entered a grove of olive trees. 2 Judas, the betrayer, knew this place, because Jesus had often gone there with his disciples. 3 The leading priests and Pharisees had given Judas a contingent of Roman soldiers and Temple guards to accompany him. Now with blazing torches, lanterns, and weapons, they arrived at the olive grove.
4 Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them. “Who are you looking for?” he asked.
5 “Jesus the Nazarene,”[a] they replied.
“I am he,”[b] Jesus said. (Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.) 6 As Jesus said “I am he,” they all drew back and fell to the ground! 7 Once more he asked them, “Who are you looking for?”
And again they replied, “Jesus the Nazarene.”
8 “I told you that I am he,” Jesus said. “And since I am the one you want, let these others go.” 9 He did this to fulfill his own statement: “I did not lose a single one of those you have given me.”[c]
10 Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave. 11 But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering the Father has given me?”
The first thing I think of, while reading these passages is: Jesus absolutely knows what is about to happen, how is he reacting? Have you ever gone to a surprise birthday party for yourself, except someone told you, so you had to act like you didn't know, but did?
Next I see that John did not record the kiss of Judas. I wonder why? This would be the one time Judas betrays Jesus in front of them all. Perhaps John didn't want to shame him? Perhaps, however, it was that John was overtaken by the situation when Jesus said"I AM" everyone fell to the ground. Honestly, that would have made me stand there like "wooo".
To think that God could have ended this situation immediately, but didn't. Do we realize how much Jesus loves us?
I also thought, if Jesus knew what was going to happen, why didn't he go off there alone, why did he bring the disciples and put them in harms way? The answer lies in the scriptures, they were NEVER in harms way! When Jesus says something or does something, you can be assured that he is not allowing harm to come to you. We often question that don't we? Why did you let that happen God? We see here, plainly, that Jesus did not allow any harm, but instead used this situation as an opportunity to grow FAITH not only in his followers, but also in the unbelievers. God is in the business of saving everyone, so the next time you ask "why God" consider how many multitudes are being saved because of the situation you don't understand.
Finally we see the difference between how the world fights and how God restores. Peter was doing all he knew to protect and defend Jesus. He wasn't acting evil, or hateful, he was acting what he knew to be honorable! He did what he was taught. Jesus knows, however, that God is in control and tells him that we must allow it to unfold. We often take matters in our own hands don't we. Emotions can make us react as we feel honorable. Here, we see that through prayer and the Holy Spirit, even the arrest of Jesus had to happen, as painful as that was to trust. I'm sure the disciples were saying "if only we would have".
Bible study is amazing. It gives us fresh and new perspective straight from the voice of heaven! God is for us, regardless of circumstances. If you are struggling with "why God" or "if only's" today, know that God has a plan, not only for you, but for your generations!
4 Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them. “Who are you looking for?” he asked.
5 “Jesus the Nazarene,”[a] they replied.
“I am he,”[b] Jesus said. (Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.) 6 As Jesus said “I am he,” they all drew back and fell to the ground! 7 Once more he asked them, “Who are you looking for?”
And again they replied, “Jesus the Nazarene.”
8 “I told you that I am he,” Jesus said. “And since I am the one you want, let these others go.” 9 He did this to fulfill his own statement: “I did not lose a single one of those you have given me.”[c]
10 Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave. 11 But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering the Father has given me?”
The first thing I think of, while reading these passages is: Jesus absolutely knows what is about to happen, how is he reacting? Have you ever gone to a surprise birthday party for yourself, except someone told you, so you had to act like you didn't know, but did?
Next I see that John did not record the kiss of Judas. I wonder why? This would be the one time Judas betrays Jesus in front of them all. Perhaps John didn't want to shame him? Perhaps, however, it was that John was overtaken by the situation when Jesus said"I AM" everyone fell to the ground. Honestly, that would have made me stand there like "wooo".
To think that God could have ended this situation immediately, but didn't. Do we realize how much Jesus loves us?
I also thought, if Jesus knew what was going to happen, why didn't he go off there alone, why did he bring the disciples and put them in harms way? The answer lies in the scriptures, they were NEVER in harms way! When Jesus says something or does something, you can be assured that he is not allowing harm to come to you. We often question that don't we? Why did you let that happen God? We see here, plainly, that Jesus did not allow any harm, but instead used this situation as an opportunity to grow FAITH not only in his followers, but also in the unbelievers. God is in the business of saving everyone, so the next time you ask "why God" consider how many multitudes are being saved because of the situation you don't understand.
Finally we see the difference between how the world fights and how God restores. Peter was doing all he knew to protect and defend Jesus. He wasn't acting evil, or hateful, he was acting what he knew to be honorable! He did what he was taught. Jesus knows, however, that God is in control and tells him that we must allow it to unfold. We often take matters in our own hands don't we. Emotions can make us react as we feel honorable. Here, we see that through prayer and the Holy Spirit, even the arrest of Jesus had to happen, as painful as that was to trust. I'm sure the disciples were saying "if only we would have".
Bible study is amazing. It gives us fresh and new perspective straight from the voice of heaven! God is for us, regardless of circumstances. If you are struggling with "why God" or "if only's" today, know that God has a plan, not only for you, but for your generations!
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