JOHN 18:1-14 (ESV)

¹ 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.

Reflection Questions

John 18:1-8

• Reflect on the fact that Jesus went out to meet the approaching soldiers “knowing all that would happen to him.” What is my reaction when I need to move toward danger, discomfort or pain in the process of obeying God’s will?
• What must Jesus have been like given the fact that those who came to arrest him “drew back and fell to the ground” upon meeting him?
• How did Jesus express his concern for his disciples till the end?

John 18:11

• What does Jesus’ statement reveal about His approach to “the cup that the Father has given [him]”?
• In what ways have I been (or am I being) tempted to “not drink the cup that the Father has given me”?
• What is the “sword”Jesus calls me to put away, because I wield it to avoid the way of the cross?