The Gospel of John | Week 11- THE HOUR HAS COME
Week’s Passage John 18
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Entering in the garden
John 18 begins Jesus’ final journey to the cross, focusing on His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. Unlike the Synoptic Gospels, John emphasizes Jesus’ authority and willingness to fulfill His mission, omitting details like His prayer struggle or Judas’ kiss. Themes of irony and Christ’s identity are central, as those seeking to kill Him target the very source of life.
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Confrontation
John 18 highlights the confrontation during Jesus’ arrest in a garden, connecting it to humanity’s fall in Eden and Jesus’ burial. Judas led Roman soldiers and temple police to arrest Jesus in a location He frequented. Jesus identified Himself as “I AM,” asserting His divine identity, which caused the crowd to fall back. Despite the intense moment, Jesus protected His disciples, but Peter’s misguided zeal led him to resist by attacking a soldier. Jesus, committed to fulfilling His mission, willingly accepted His arrest, while Peter’s denial of Him unfolded.
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Before the priest
Jesus was taken to Annas, who questioned Him before sending Him to Caiaphas. The trial violated Jewish laws, as it was held at night during Passover and lacked proper witnesses. Peter, who had pledged loyalty, denied Jesus when questioned, contrasting with Jesus’ bold affirmation of His identity. Despite the injustice and abuse, Jesus stood firm, exposing the leaders’ hypocrisy.
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Before Pilate
Jesus’ trial before Pilate transitions the narrative to Roman authority. The religious leaders, avoiding ceremonial defilement, demanded Jesus’ crucifixion without providing formal charges, revealing their intent to secure His death under Roman law. Pilate questioned Jesus about being “King of the Jews,” emphasizing the contrast between Caesar’s political authority and Christ’s spiritual kingdom, which is based on truth. Finding no guilt in Jesus, Pilate offered to release Him as per Passover custom, but the crowd chose Barabbas, a criminal, over the Good Shepherd.
Insight
The infamous trial
Christ faced an illegal trial before the Sanhedrin, who condemned Him but needed Roman approval to execute Him. He endured deep suffering and abuse but was most pained by Peter’s denial. Pilate, though stirred by Jesus’ words, declared Him innocent yet yielded to the crowd’s demands for crucifixion.
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•What lessons can you learn from Peter’s strong zeal to fight for Christ followed by his denial just a few hours later?
•Identify and share times in your life when you might have acted like Peter, trying to fit in with the crowd.
•In what subtle ways do we sometimes take our stand with those who are Christ’s enemies?
- Make a list of the ways Jesus was treated unfairly and illegally. Why did He surrender His rights?
