We spent time in John 17 last week studying the greatest prayer ever prayed. Jesus prayed to be glorified, prayed for His disciples, and prayed for all believers. Now, he’s arrested. Oftentimes, our greatest intimacy with God is followed by our greatest trial. James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” While these words are easier to read than they are to walk, we can find hope in Jesus’ journey to the cross.
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?”
5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.
“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
7 Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.
8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”
10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)
11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”
12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him 13 and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.
The book of John is saturated with symbols, and I love how Jesus goes to the garden. He spent a great deal of time in the garden with His disciples, resting, praying, and meditating (Luke 22:39). Additionally, the Garden of Eden was the sacred place God created for Adam and Eve to reside, and it’s also where the sin of man was committed. It’s beautiful to think about how God orchestrated Christ to be in the garden to conclude the redemption process.
In the garden, we see the betrayer, Judas. A disciple who walked with Jesus for perhaps three years, listened to Him teach but never chose to know Him.
Even in this moment of deep betrayal, Jesus was in complete control. It says in verse 4 that He knew all that was going to happen to Him—and He pressed through the pressing (Gethsemane means “oil press”).
When Jesus responds to the soldiers and says, “I am He,” it was an affirmation of His deity—and the Romans knew who was in command. Whatever situation or circumstance you’re facing right now, know that “I AM” is in control and sees all, just as He did in His own life, death, and resurrection.
This was no doubt an emotionally charged situation, and Simon Peter was fired up and drew His sword (literally). What a reminder of Ephesians 6:12 that says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” When it’s time to prove our devotion to Christ, draw the sword of the Spirit instead of drawing out those fightin’ words!
Jesus brought soldiers to their knees and healed a severed ear (Luke 22:51), yet, despite His display of divine power He willingly surrendered to death—even death on a cross (Philippians 2:8)! Give us an obedient heart, Lord.
15 Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, 16 but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.
17 “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter.
He replied, “I am not.”
18 It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.
As I was reading about Peter’s first denial from Warren Wiersbe’s commentary, he made a point I hadn’t seen before. While we can admire Peter’s love and courageous spirit, his actions exposed him to temptation. If Peter hadn’t been warming himself with others by the fire, and instead, chose to pray by himself in the garden, he wouldn’t have had the opportunity to be tempted.
What a lesson we can learn from this! It’s frustrating when we sin and choose paths we wish we hadn’t; however, we have to think about how we got in that position in the first place. Typically, it’s due to a poor decision on our part which exposed us to the temptation. Where are you allowing the temptation to enter into your life? Ephesians 4:27 tells us to not give the devil a foothold! Don’t give him ground to gain, warrior. Stay anchored on your knees and learn to stay home (just like Jesus warned Peter).
19 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.
20 “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21 Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”
22 When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded.
23 “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” 24 Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
The time with Annas was more of an informal hearing. Annas was “testing” to see if he could come up with any evidence that would lead to Jesus’ death. This process of the high priest questioning Jesus (without witnesses or a proper trial) was illegal. Jesus suffered wrongly, and again, that should bring us comfort. When we suffer in this world (and we will suffer), we won’t always suffer rightly.
25 Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?”
He denied it, saying, “I am not.”
26 One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
Back to Peter. During the first denial, he was cozied up to the fire getting warm. Verse 25 says “he was still standing there.” Friends, there’s a great lesson here. Quit standing near the fire where you’ll be burned. If God has warned you, cautioned you, prompted you, or nudged you to stay away—stay away. If you are still standing there, don’t expect good to come of it. You will be challenged, and most likely, you will be burned.
A rooster crowed, just as Jesus predicted. Again, we see how Jesus is in complete control. I’m also encouraged that the rooster’s crow also signifies a new day. “Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning” (Lamentations 3:23).
28 Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?”
30 “If he were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed him over to you.”
31 Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.”
“But we have no right to execute anyone,” they objected. 32 This took place to fulfill what Jesus had said about the kind of death he was going to die.
33 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
34 “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”
35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”
36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
38 “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. 39 But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?”
40 They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising.
Warren Wiersbe says, “Pontius Pilate was in office from AD 26–36 and was not greatly liked by the Jews. He could be ruthless when he wanted to be (see Luke 13:1–2), but he also understood the Jewish power structures and knew how to use them. His handling of the trial of Jesus reveals an indecisive man, a weak man, a compromising man.”
Pilot was trying to find the loophole that would please both sides. I’ve been in leadership for a good many years, and I have yet to find a way to please all. In fact, I consistently say, “You can’t be all things to all people.” There’s just no way to make that happen—yet, people try exhaustively to make it a reality. That’s why every moment of every day you must surrender yourself to the wisdom and discernment of God and ask that you become nothing so He can become all. It is the only way in which He can be fully glorified in you.
“The only loopholes in life are the ones that hang you later. ”
Pilot’s question in verse 38 is one this world will ask you daily: “What is truth?” 1 Peter 3:15-18 delivers a potent truth about truth: “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.”
Respect Christ. Stay away from warming fires. Speak hope. Live surrendered. Amen.