Small Group Lesson Plan for October 7th: John 18:1-18

• John 18:1-18

  We have just spent five chapters in the upper room- Jesus and his disciples have now exited the upper room to go to the garden of Gethsemane. It’s important to remember why John’s gospel is different from the previous three. This is another one of those examples. John never mentioned the last supper. He doesn’t talk about the agonized prayer that Jesus had in the Garden- the prayer where Jesus is asking if there’s any other way this cup can be taken from him, but ultimately- He has to subdue to the Father to pay the ultimate sacrifice for you and me. Jesus took the disciples to the garden- a location that Jesus went to often. Jesus went there again this night so that Judas would be able to find him- so that Jesus could be found. Judas shows up with hundreds of Roman troops. Judas completely misunderstood the character of Jesus. Jesus wasn’t going to fight- All he has been doing is showing his love for us and teaching how we can spread that love to others. Judas also underestimated the power of Jesus. If Jesus really wanted to fight, do you think 100 soldiers would be enough? Absolutely not- Bible commentator David Guzik brings up an awesome point about this scene. “ Here we have a sinless man -in an appointed garden -about to do battle with Satan’s representative. The first time this happened- the human race fell. But now -the second time this happens- God is going to take it back.”-Guzik. So awesome to think back to the original fall of mankind with Adam in the garden of Eden- and now Jesus is going to make it right!

  Now in Verse 4- notice that Jesus went out to meet them- He was not hiding. He came forward- Another example of his love for his disciples and us. He did not want any harm cast upon them. He wanted it all -then he asks them, “Who do you seek?” By doing this- Jesus is putting them in the spot to announce their cruel/evil intentions. And by them responding, “Jesus of Nazareth” - Nazareth was not exactly an area back then that was held in high regard. It was away for them to try to humiliate Jesus. But this is more of Jesus displaying Humility as we have discussed before. Now we get another instance of Jesus saying “I Am He”- now this is the English translation of the ancient language- really it was just “I Am” which we know throughout scripture that this was the term used to describe God himself. John’s gospel was written years after the previous three- with the one intention to show that Jesus is God. By Him replying with “I Am”- He is also implying His Deity.

  Going on in verse 6 it says that after he responded with “I Am”- it says they drew back and fell to the ground. Can you play the scene in your mind? This is not a little figure of speech-This is a true account- That hundreds of soldiers were knocked to the ground simply by the Word of Jesus saying “I Am”. This first- shows us that Jesus was and is always in control. Jesus did not go to the cross as a victim. He went on His own accord to save you and me.

  Now, by Jesus being arrested in this way- Bible commentator Alexander McLaren says, “Wherever in our Lord’s life any incident indicates more emphatically than usual the lowliness of His humiliation, there, by the side of it, you get something that indicates the majesty of His glory.” (Maclaren)

  · Jesus was born as a humble baby, yet announced by angels.

  · Jesus was laid in a manger, yet signaled by a star.

  · Jesus submitted to baptism as if He were a sinner, then heard the Divine voice of approval.

  · Jesus slept when He was exhausted, but awoke to calm the storm.

  · Jesus wept at a grave, then called the dead to life.

  · Jesus surrendered to arrest, then declared “I am” and knocked all the troops over.

  · Jesus died on a cross, but in it He defeated sin, death, and Satan.

• Now in verse 7-9- He asks them again “who are you seeking” and they replied the same. Jesus responds, “I told you that I Am he. So if you seek me, let these men go”. Guzik again brings up an amazing point. “Jesus displayed his power on the first “I Am” so that on the second one they would be more inclined to listen to his request. He wanted to make sure that his disciples were going to be safe and left alone.”- Guzik. What an amazing picture of our savior that he will display his glory in such the right way that it will always protect you and me. He was saying if you don’t let them go- I will keep knocking you down all day long. Another point to remember is that each of these disciples will die a martyrs death later on- when their Faith is strong enough. But Jesus knows that they are not ready yet and this is the same for you and me. Jesus will only expose us to trials that he knows we are ready for. And He will be there right beside us

  To finish in verse 9 when Jesus fulfills “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one” is referring to his previously stated dialogue in John 6:39 and John 17:12

  Verse 10-12 - Peter makes an attempt to protect Jesus and to fulfill his previous promise that he would defend Jesus at all cost. In Matthew 26:35- Peter says “Even if I have to die with you I will not deny you”, but Jesus is quick to not praise Peter for what he did to this servant, but to tell him to stop- and this is to protect Peter, but most of all Jesus stopped this response so that He would be able to drink the cup the Father is going to give him to save us at the cross.

  In verses 12-14- this is an example of a scenario of logical versus moral. By Caiaphas stating to the Jews “that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people”. Not only did He unknowingly prophesize what Jesus would complete on the cross. But it is logical to say that one man should die rather than many, But it is not moral to kill an innocent man in that place. Jesus was a sinless man- He had committed no crime. So think of those instances in your own life where you might act on logical decisions vs moral.

  Verse 15- 18 -John and Peter are following Jesus from afar. They are met by a servant girl- who for the sake of that time is not a very threatening person to be intimidated by. And here we see Peter’s first denial of Jesus. When asked if he to is a disciple of Jesus-Peter unprepared for this confrontation says, “I am not”. We will talk more about this next week, but the point I want us to think about in this 1st denial is- how often in our lives- are we met with a spur of the moment scenario- where we can be bold in our faith or avoid it? And we choose to avoid it, Peter was not ready for this situation and he did not respond accordingly. Friends- prepare yourself for the days scenarios that you will face. You are going to have times where you can choose Jesus- or cower away. I have always found that when I have my quiet time with God in the morning- it fuels me- it prepares me for the situations I’m going to have throughout that day. Please find a time that works best for you to be prepared for the situations of your day to proclaim Jesus.

Discussion:

1. In verses 7-9 it shows how Jesus will only expose us to trials that we are ready for- How do we remember this in our trials? What resources should we use to endure these trials?

2. What are situations in your life where you have made logical decisions over moral? How about specifically in the Fire Service?

3. Peter is faced with a sudden situation where he could have been bold in his Faith and he stumbles like we all have. How can we better handle these sudden situations that give us the opportunity to be bold in our Faith?