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Jesus is Arrested & in Control
Shaun Rossi // The Gospel of John
Jesus is in control of every situation, including His own arrest and death.
“When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” 9 This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” 10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?” 12 So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. 13 First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.”
— John 18:1-14
four ways the lord shows us he is in control during his arrestI. In the Symbolism He Surrounds Himself With
“4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; 6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.”
— Hebrews 10:4-7
II. In the Agony He Receives
“36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” ”
— Matthew 26:36
“And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch. 35 And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” ”
— Mark 14:34-36
“And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
— Luke 22:44
III. In the Way He Deals With His Enemies
“18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
— John 10:18
IV. In His Care for Disciples Who Fail Him
“But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him.”
— Luke 22:51
Comforting one another with the knowledge that god is sovereign
Today’s passage reminds us that God is sovereign over all of life including our most difficult times. From the perspective of facing a trial, we must learn to rely on God’s sovereignty by refusing to see ourselves in isolation, but in relation to the God who made us in his own image.
The best way we can encourage one another during a trial is to point to God’s Word, but why are we hesitant to do this? There seems to be a general feeling among Christians that we ought not to recite, for example, Romans 8:28 if someone comes to us facing disappointment or tragedy. At one level, this is sound advice: we must never recite God‘s truth in a casual and insensitive way. However, recite it we must, with tears in our eyes if appropriate, because it is truth and it is sanity.
The biblical knowledge that God is sovereign allows us to comfort others with these great truths, just as we ought to do for ourselves. Christians in earlier generations understood that the sovereignty of God is the final refuge of the saint. They also recognised that his sovereignty is not a hard place to fall back on, but a soft and comforting truth. We would do well ourselves, and with those we care for, to meditate upon the well-known words of William Cowper‘s hymn:
“God moves in a mysterious way, his wonders to perform; He plants his footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm. Deep in unfathomable mines of never-failing skill, He treasures up his bright designs, and works his sovereign will. Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take, the clouds ye so much dread Are big with mercy, and shall break in blessings on your head. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust him for his grace; Behind a frowning providence he hides a smiling face. His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour; The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower. Blind unbelief is sure to err, and scan his work in vain; God is his own interpreter, and he will make it plain. ”
Ash Wednesday & lent
If you have grown up in a church with a liturgical tradition, you may struggle to appreciate the meaning of some of the practices of the ancient church and therefore miss an opportunity to strengthen your relationship with the Lord by practicing them. A good example of this is Ash Wednesday (this Wednesday March 26th). You may be asking yourself,what exactly is this day? "What are the origins? Is this something I should participate in?
Ash Wednesday is a day of repentance, which for many in the Western church marks the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period of fasting before Easter following the example of our Lord who spent 40 days in the desert to fast and pray (Matthew 4:1-11). It is also known as the “Day of Ashes,” so called because on that day in the early church would have their foreheads marked with ashes in the shape of a cross.
In the Old Testament ashes were used for two purposes: as a sign of humility and mortality and as a sign of sorrow and repentance for sin. Dusting oneself with ashes was a way of expressing sorrow for sins and faults. Examples of this can found in Job 42:3-6, Numbers 19:17, Jonah 3:6, Matthew 11:21, Luke 10:13. The Christian connotation for ashes in the liturgy of Ash Wednesday has also been taken from this Old Testament biblical custom.
Today, many Christians, the practices of Ash Wednesday are the annual reminder of where our hearts should be in relation to God in deep appreciation of Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins on the cross. Listen to how one theologian puts it:
“Dr. Barry Jones, Dallas Theological Seminary professor, explains -
“Part of what Lent is all about is entering into our own “spiritual wilderness,” a time of introspection and self-examination, a time of sober reflection on our spiritual health. Lent is a time of keen attentiveness to the reality of God’s presence and to the reality of our own sinfulness (for the two go hand in hand). It’s a time of repentance, fasting, and prayer. A time of emptying ourselves so that we can be filled. A time of purging our lives of the things that hold us in their grip.
The problem is that we don’t like ‘the wilderness. Often we prefer the easy life of the tourist to the rugged commitment of the pilgrim. In Lent we are invited to stop playing and to take our faith seriously, to enter into a focused time of spiritual reflection and renewal, asking God to help us uncover the junk in our lives that chokes our souls, that weighs us down and trips us up.””
— Dr Barry Jones
These 40 days offer a chance to deny yourself for the purpose of being present to God; a chance to prepare ourselves for His passion on Easter; a chance to observe this season as a spiritual discipline for reflection on our need, for repentance of that which we use to make life work apart from God and for renewal asking God to do some new work of His spirit in us.
So, are you considering observing Lent? Unfortunately for many Christians this means only, “What do I have to give up?” However, the real question is, “How will I repent and return to God with all my heart?” This invites an even deeper question: “In what areas of my life have I gotten away from God, and what is His invitation to me for finding my way back?”
On Ash Wednesday UCC will launch a lent page that you can find a a link to here. We will provide a reading plan that takes us back through the Gospel of John and brings us to the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter morning. We will also provide some suggestions on fasting. You might also want to have a look at last years Lent project called “On Purpose” which focused on our technology use.
SMALL GROUP STUDYIntroduction
1. This is a very familiar story of the last days of Jesus’ life. What new thing have you learned from studying this passage? Does this give you a new perspective on Jesus and what he has come to accomplish for all people?
Text
1. Where do the events of this section of Scripture take place? What is the name of this garden where Jesus takes his disciples? Read Matthew 26:36; Mark 14:32; and Luke 22:39.
Why did Jesus take his disciples to this place to pray? Did Judas know that Jesus would be in this particular garden at this time? If so, how did he know?
Read John 13:27-30. After Judas left the upper room earlier that night, where did he go and what did he do? Read John 18:3.
How many people might have come with Judas to arrest Jesus? Who was included in the crowd that came to arrest Jesus? Romans? Jews? Religious leaders?
What detail(s) about the betrayal by Judas does John leave out of his account? Read Matthew 26:47-49; Mark 14:43-45; and Luke 22:47-48.
2. What does Jesus already know as Judas approaches with the band of soldiers? Could Jesus have hidden or escaped from the garden before the soldiers approached him? If so, what does this tell you about the authority of Jesus even when things seem out of his control?
According to John’s account, who asks the first question as the soldiers approach? Is Jesus trying to hide or avoid those who would arrest him?
What does the fact that Jesus begins the dialogue with his captors tell you about the authority that Jesus has, even in his arrest? Who is in charge?
3. When the soldier explain that they are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, what does Jesus tell them? What specifically does he say about himself as he identifies himself as the one they are looking for?
How does the crowd respond when Jesus says, “I am he” in response to their question? What response do we see in Scripture when people interact with the divine? Read Ezekiel 1:28; 44:4; Daniel 8:18; 10:9; Acts 9:4, 22:7; Revelation 1:17.
Why does John include the detail of the crowd’s response to Jesus? How does this detail help support the purpose of John’s writing? Read John 20:31.
How will you respond to Jesus when you see him face-to-face in heaven? Read Revelation 1:17 & 5:13-14.
4. What request did Jesus make to his captors as he identified himself for a second time to those who had come to arrest him? Why did Jesus make this request of his captors?
What does Jesus’ request tell you about the authority that Jesus has in this situation? Who is really in control?
5. How does Peter respond to the soldiers’ attempt to arrest Jesus? What does he do?
How does Jesus respond to Peter’s bold act? Read John 18:11; Luke 22:51; Mark 14:48; Matthew 26:52-56. What does Jesus’ response tell you about who is in control.
Application
1. The overall impression that John conveys through his account is that is that Jesus was in complete control of His arrest and crucifixion. He was not a tragic victim, but rather the good shepherd who willingly laid down His life for His sheep and a sovereign ruler over every detail of what looked like a tragic situation.
When tempted to think the Lord is not in control of your own tragic or difficult circumstances, how can you renew trust in God’s sovereign control over all things?
For some they may no doubt that the Lord is in control, just that He is good. What texts should we turn to in order to remind ourselves of God’s character?
How can your group pray for you now?
Back to Bulletin
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By United Community ChurchShaun Rossi // The Gospel of John
Jesus is in control of every situation, including His own arrest and death.
“When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” 9 This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” 10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?” 12 So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. 13 First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.”
— John 18:1-14
four ways the lord shows us he is in control during his arrestI. In the Symbolism He Surrounds Himself With
“4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; 6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.”
— Hebrews 10:4-7
II. In the Agony He Receives
“36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” ”
— Matthew 26:36
“And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch. 35 And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” ”
— Mark 14:34-36
“And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
— Luke 22:44
III. In the Way He Deals With His Enemies
“18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
— John 10:18
IV. In His Care for Disciples Who Fail Him
“But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him.”
— Luke 22:51
Comforting one another with the knowledge that god is sovereign
Today’s passage reminds us that God is sovereign over all of life including our most difficult times. From the perspective of facing a trial, we must learn to rely on God’s sovereignty by refusing to see ourselves in isolation, but in relation to the God who made us in his own image.
The best way we can encourage one another during a trial is to point to God’s Word, but why are we hesitant to do this? There seems to be a general feeling among Christians that we ought not to recite, for example, Romans 8:28 if someone comes to us facing disappointment or tragedy. At one level, this is sound advice: we must never recite God‘s truth in a casual and insensitive way. However, recite it we must, with tears in our eyes if appropriate, because it is truth and it is sanity.
The biblical knowledge that God is sovereign allows us to comfort others with these great truths, just as we ought to do for ourselves. Christians in earlier generations understood that the sovereignty of God is the final refuge of the saint. They also recognised that his sovereignty is not a hard place to fall back on, but a soft and comforting truth. We would do well ourselves, and with those we care for, to meditate upon the well-known words of William Cowper‘s hymn:
“God moves in a mysterious way, his wonders to perform; He plants his footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm. Deep in unfathomable mines of never-failing skill, He treasures up his bright designs, and works his sovereign will. Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take, the clouds ye so much dread Are big with mercy, and shall break in blessings on your head. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust him for his grace; Behind a frowning providence he hides a smiling face. His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour; The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower. Blind unbelief is sure to err, and scan his work in vain; God is his own interpreter, and he will make it plain. ”
Ash Wednesday & lent
If you have grown up in a church with a liturgical tradition, you may struggle to appreciate the meaning of some of the practices of the ancient church and therefore miss an opportunity to strengthen your relationship with the Lord by practicing them. A good example of this is Ash Wednesday (this Wednesday March 26th). You may be asking yourself,what exactly is this day? "What are the origins? Is this something I should participate in?
Ash Wednesday is a day of repentance, which for many in the Western church marks the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period of fasting before Easter following the example of our Lord who spent 40 days in the desert to fast and pray (Matthew 4:1-11). It is also known as the “Day of Ashes,” so called because on that day in the early church would have their foreheads marked with ashes in the shape of a cross.
In the Old Testament ashes were used for two purposes: as a sign of humility and mortality and as a sign of sorrow and repentance for sin. Dusting oneself with ashes was a way of expressing sorrow for sins and faults. Examples of this can found in Job 42:3-6, Numbers 19:17, Jonah 3:6, Matthew 11:21, Luke 10:13. The Christian connotation for ashes in the liturgy of Ash Wednesday has also been taken from this Old Testament biblical custom.
Today, many Christians, the practices of Ash Wednesday are the annual reminder of where our hearts should be in relation to God in deep appreciation of Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins on the cross. Listen to how one theologian puts it:
“Dr. Barry Jones, Dallas Theological Seminary professor, explains -
“Part of what Lent is all about is entering into our own “spiritual wilderness,” a time of introspection and self-examination, a time of sober reflection on our spiritual health. Lent is a time of keen attentiveness to the reality of God’s presence and to the reality of our own sinfulness (for the two go hand in hand). It’s a time of repentance, fasting, and prayer. A time of emptying ourselves so that we can be filled. A time of purging our lives of the things that hold us in their grip.
The problem is that we don’t like ‘the wilderness. Often we prefer the easy life of the tourist to the rugged commitment of the pilgrim. In Lent we are invited to stop playing and to take our faith seriously, to enter into a focused time of spiritual reflection and renewal, asking God to help us uncover the junk in our lives that chokes our souls, that weighs us down and trips us up.””
— Dr Barry Jones
These 40 days offer a chance to deny yourself for the purpose of being present to God; a chance to prepare ourselves for His passion on Easter; a chance to observe this season as a spiritual discipline for reflection on our need, for repentance of that which we use to make life work apart from God and for renewal asking God to do some new work of His spirit in us.
So, are you considering observing Lent? Unfortunately for many Christians this means only, “What do I have to give up?” However, the real question is, “How will I repent and return to God with all my heart?” This invites an even deeper question: “In what areas of my life have I gotten away from God, and what is His invitation to me for finding my way back?”
On Ash Wednesday UCC will launch a lent page that you can find a a link to here. We will provide a reading plan that takes us back through the Gospel of John and brings us to the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter morning. We will also provide some suggestions on fasting. You might also want to have a look at last years Lent project called “On Purpose” which focused on our technology use.
SMALL GROUP STUDYIntroduction
1. This is a very familiar story of the last days of Jesus’ life. What new thing have you learned from studying this passage? Does this give you a new perspective on Jesus and what he has come to accomplish for all people?
Text
1. Where do the events of this section of Scripture take place? What is the name of this garden where Jesus takes his disciples? Read Matthew 26:36; Mark 14:32; and Luke 22:39.
Why did Jesus take his disciples to this place to pray? Did Judas know that Jesus would be in this particular garden at this time? If so, how did he know?
Read John 13:27-30. After Judas left the upper room earlier that night, where did he go and what did he do? Read John 18:3.
How many people might have come with Judas to arrest Jesus? Who was included in the crowd that came to arrest Jesus? Romans? Jews? Religious leaders?
What detail(s) about the betrayal by Judas does John leave out of his account? Read Matthew 26:47-49; Mark 14:43-45; and Luke 22:47-48.
2. What does Jesus already know as Judas approaches with the band of soldiers? Could Jesus have hidden or escaped from the garden before the soldiers approached him? If so, what does this tell you about the authority of Jesus even when things seem out of his control?
According to John’s account, who asks the first question as the soldiers approach? Is Jesus trying to hide or avoid those who would arrest him?
What does the fact that Jesus begins the dialogue with his captors tell you about the authority that Jesus has, even in his arrest? Who is in charge?
3. When the soldier explain that they are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, what does Jesus tell them? What specifically does he say about himself as he identifies himself as the one they are looking for?
How does the crowd respond when Jesus says, “I am he” in response to their question? What response do we see in Scripture when people interact with the divine? Read Ezekiel 1:28; 44:4; Daniel 8:18; 10:9; Acts 9:4, 22:7; Revelation 1:17.
Why does John include the detail of the crowd’s response to Jesus? How does this detail help support the purpose of John’s writing? Read John 20:31.
How will you respond to Jesus when you see him face-to-face in heaven? Read Revelation 1:17 & 5:13-14.
4. What request did Jesus make to his captors as he identified himself for a second time to those who had come to arrest him? Why did Jesus make this request of his captors?
What does Jesus’ request tell you about the authority that Jesus has in this situation? Who is really in control?
5. How does Peter respond to the soldiers’ attempt to arrest Jesus? What does he do?
How does Jesus respond to Peter’s bold act? Read John 18:11; Luke 22:51; Mark 14:48; Matthew 26:52-56. What does Jesus’ response tell you about who is in control.
Application
1. The overall impression that John conveys through his account is that is that Jesus was in complete control of His arrest and crucifixion. He was not a tragic victim, but rather the good shepherd who willingly laid down His life for His sheep and a sovereign ruler over every detail of what looked like a tragic situation.
When tempted to think the Lord is not in control of your own tragic or difficult circumstances, how can you renew trust in God’s sovereign control over all things?
For some they may no doubt that the Lord is in control, just that He is good. What texts should we turn to in order to remind ourselves of God’s character?
How can your group pray for you now?
Back to Bulletin