The Word This Week
John 18:1…
And so now that Jesus has given them His final instructions and prayed to His Father for Himself, for His remaining disciples, and for us, (those who would become His Church through the ages,) Jesus leads them out into the darkness to the Garden of Gethsemane.
It was a secluded spot where Jesus often met with His disciples when they were in Jerusalem.
We remember the Sanhedrin desired to put Jesus to death because they perceived His threat to their religious establishment. But they were hesitant to do so during the feast of Passover because so many of the people rightly considered Jesus to be a prophet. They knew their popularity with the people may be affected if they were seen to be brutal in their handling of Jesus.
But suddenly an opportunity was dropped into their lap. Judas Iscariot came to them and proposed to reveal to them where Jesus was, and how he could be arrested. Since Jesus was now in a secluded spot, the Sanhedrin saw their opportunity to have Jesus arrested and brought to them away from the eyes of the people. Judas was paid 30 pieces of silver and dispatched to accomplish Jesus’ arrest with a cadre of the Temple guard.
Judas led them to the Garden where he knew Jesus would most likely be found. They came with torches and clubs prepared for some kind of violent response. Jesus was there, and He responded, “I AM,” when they made the query about which one of them was Jesus, even though Judas identified Jesus with a kiss.
Jesus would make sure the reason they arrested Him would be because He said He was God, and for no other reason. Your Bibles may say Jesus responded, “I am He,” but you will note the ‘He’ is italicized, which means it was added by the Bible translators to make it more readable for those reading in the English language.
Jesus said, “I AM,” and they all fell out before Him.
Now, Who is really in control here?
Pastor Bill
And so now that Jesus has given them His final instructions and prayed to His Father for Himself, for His remaining disciples, and for us, (those who would become His Church through the ages,) Jesus leads them out into the darkness to the Garden of Gethsemane.
It was a secluded spot where Jesus often met with His disciples when they were in Jerusalem.
We remember the Sanhedrin desired to put Jesus to death because they perceived His threat to their religious establishment. But they were hesitant to do so during the feast of Passover because so many of the people rightly considered Jesus to be a prophet. They knew their popularity with the people may be affected if they were seen to be brutal in their handling of Jesus.
But suddenly an opportunity was dropped into their lap. Judas Iscariot came to them and proposed to reveal to them where Jesus was, and how he could be arrested. Since Jesus was now in a secluded spot, the Sanhedrin saw their opportunity to have Jesus arrested and brought to them away from the eyes of the people. Judas was paid 30 pieces of silver and dispatched to accomplish Jesus’ arrest with a cadre of the Temple guard.
Judas led them to the Garden where he knew Jesus would most likely be found. They came with torches and clubs prepared for some kind of violent response. Jesus was there, and He responded, “I AM,” when they made the query about which one of them was Jesus, even though Judas identified Jesus with a kiss.
Jesus would make sure the reason they arrested Him would be because He said He was God, and for no other reason. Your Bibles may say Jesus responded, “I am He,” but you will note the ‘He’ is italicized, which means it was added by the Bible translators to make it more readable for those reading in the English language.
Jesus said, “I AM,” and they all fell out before Him.
Now, Who is really in control here?
Pastor Bill