Slices
Prepare
Do you have a place where you often meet with God? Remember significant times with him in that place.
Bible passage
Jesus arrested
18 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.
Explore
In deepest darkness, the disciples’ safe and familiar place of fellowship with Jesus is disturbed. Man-made lights emphasise their carriers’ spiritual night as violence comes to arrest peace. Echoes of another God-frequented garden (Genesis 2,3) stir in our memories as, once again, humankind betrays God’s friendship. But this time, it is man looking for God in the garden, and the One who is sought steps forward rather than hiding (v 4).
John’s repetition (vs 4,7) draws our attention to a theme that is central to his Gospel, and the pivot upon which these pages of history turn: Who is this man you seek? Judas’ band of soldiers and religious leaders thought they were looking for a dissenter and are stunned by Jesus’ revelation of deity – ‘I am he’ (vs 5,6,8; see also John 8:58). But they are not deterred (v 12). Who do you want when you seek after Jesus? How often is the One we see – and how we respond – clouded by our own preconceptions and purposes?
Calmly in control at the centre of the storm, the true Shepherd shields his flock from the suffering he is about to undergo (vs 8,9), rerouting their expectations and repairing the damage caused by their attempts to get there, unwavering in both his mission and means of accomplishing it.
Respond
Honestly tell Jesus who you are wanting him to be today, then ask him to reveal more of himself to you.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Deuteronomy 21,22; Psalm 35
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