GUILTY OF DOING NOTHING WRONG / BEING COVICTED OF DOING NOTHING WRONG / SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR DOING NOTHING WRONG.

• This just seems really unfair!!!

Today's study would have been perfect for a " Paul Harvey ; The Rest of The Story" episode.

JOHN 6:25 He mysteriously showed up.

• This is Jesus at his best! (Divine)!

JOHN 8:59 He slipped away.

JOHN 10:39 He somehow escaped.

Note: These 2 examples were evidence that meets Jesus's own words. "My time is not yet here". John 7:6

Today's passage.

John 18:1-4

[1]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. [2] Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. [3] 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. [4] Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want ?”

Setting: At this location; the Garden of Gethsemane, there was a brook called Kidron. This brook flowed from the temple and was used to carry the sacrificial blood away from the temple. Many, many daily sacrifices meant that this brook flowed red with blood. A visual reminder of what Jesus was about to endure.

NOTE: Jesus was not trying to escape or hide. In fact, he was actually walking into the trap.

• He knew, full well, that "His time had come".

• With no hesitation, he went willingly.

• He went to the place that he frequently visited.

• They didn't have to look very hard.

• He approached them.

• He actually asked them who they wanted.

• He knew. He was ready.

Read Verses 5 - 9.

Jesus readily admitted to being the one they were looking for.

• Something very strange then happened.

• They drew back and fell to the ground.

• They were expecting to be faced with an altercation.

• As soon as Jesus said "I AM", they recognized that phrase and were terrified.

• God's glory and power was truly being displayed.

• Again, Jesus asked who they wanted.

• He gives the same reply. "I AM".

• Well, you found me! You don't have any reason to hold these men. (The 11 disciples) John 6:39.

Read verses 10 & 13

READY FOR A FIGHT!

• Simon Peter knew the nature of the confrontation.

• He saw how they feared Jesus/ God.

• He felt empowered.

• Mathew 26:35

• This act of cutting the ear off was a direct attack of a representative high government official.

• It brought attention to Simon Peter of which Jesus reprimanded him.

• Jesus is the complete and entire message here. He turned the attention back to himself and him

alone.

• In fact Luke records that Jesus healed the wound.

• Jesus was bound. The officials were obviously aware of His power and ability to escape their grasp.

• They took him to Annus, the Father-in-law of Caiaphas the high priest.

John 18:14

[14] Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.

• Annus was a prior high priest and was known for his cruelty and divisive ways.

• He just plain and simple, didn't like Jesus.

Read verses 15 - 18

• Peter had made it clear that he would stick by Jesus, even to death.

• This isn't about Peter.

• It's about Jesus and Jesus alone.

• John had prior connections to the high priest and convinced the guard to allow Peter to go in.

Mathew 26:34 The prediction of Peter's denial 3 times before the rooster / cock crows.

• So, when confronted as a follower of Jesus, he readily denied it. (First time)

• The officials were warming themselves around a fire and Peter was with them. He wanted to be conspicuous.

Read verses 19 - 24

• As Jesus gets questioned about his teachings, the high priest also wanted to know about the disciples.

• He totally ignored the reference to the disciples.

• This is not about anyone but Jesus.

• He could not possibly tell all that he taught. But, he made reference to all that he taught to the religious leaders and the people.

• His answer was simple and to the point.

• They all knew full well what he taught. Ask any of them.

• Not a hidden agenda. (The high priest, Annus, knew it.)

• Jesus' authority made them nervous and angry.

• The slap on the face was just the beginning of the "punishment" that he was about to endure.

• Jesus made clear that he said nothing wrong and only told the TRUTH. Was that a reason to strike him?

• Annus couldn't argue that point and basically sent the problem away.

Read verses 25 - 27

• The scene goes back outside to the warming fire.

• Peter is still there in his effort to show Jesus his support.

• But, doing so jeopardized his safety and fear set in.

• When questioned again about his relationship with Jesus, he once again, denied it.

• Being recognized, by one of the people from the garden, Peter was confronted again.

• Oh, NO,NO,NO it wasn't me.

• Once the rooster heard that denial, the crowing began!!!

Well, this is not the "Rest of the Story"!!!

Stay tuned. A whole lot more is to come. Same time, same place, next week.

Note: Remember: Jesus can not and will not allow anyone to step in and steal the show. He is the one and only person that can and will pay the price for OUR sin. JESUS ALONE!