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The Scriptorium

Betrayed

Jesus faced His enemies boldly. So should we.

The Gospel of John: John 18.1-40

Read and meditate on John 18.1-6.
What is most amazing about the events that follow, is that Jesus knew them all, knew what was going to happen to Him, and yet He faced His trial and suffering without hesitation. How unlike Him we can be!

                                                                      1And when
He had thus prayed and spoken, Jesus went
with His disciples over Kidron Brook.
There was a garden there, and Jesus took
His friends into it with Him. 2Judas, who
betrayed Him, knew the place, for Jesus used
to meet there with them. 3Judas came there then,
and with him, officers and soldiers sent
by the chief priests and Pharisees. And they
had lanterns, weapons, torches to display
and wield. 4So Jesus, fully knowing all
that was about to happen to Him, saw
the mob approaching, and He went to them
and said, “Whom do you seek?” 5They answered Him,
“We’re seeking Jesus, He of Nazareth.”
He answered, “I am He.” And he was with
them who betrayed Him, Judas. 6When He said
unto them, “I am He,” they, full of dread,
drew back, and fell down to the ground.

- John 18.1-6

Reflect
1.  Jesus and eleven of His disciples headed for the garden across the Kidron Brook. It was a familiar place, and Judas rightly suspected this is where he would find Jesus. Meditate on Psalm 55.12-14. We will see that Jesus was meditating on certain psalms as He underwent His passion. Do you think He may have had this one in mind? Explain. Read through Psalm 55.15-23. How would this have comforted and strengthened Jesus? Complete this prayer: Lord, help me always to keep Your Word in mind, especially when…

2.  Judas arrived with a mob of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. Based on how John describes this contingent, what were they expecting? Why? Father, protect me this day from…

3.  Jesus met them head on. He did not try to hide or otherwise avoid those who had come seeking Him. Jesus knew what was going to happen. He has told us what to expect in this world (Jn. 16.33). When might we expect this? Should we try to avoid it? Explain. Jesus, help me to be bold in the face of challenges and trials, and to trust in You to…

4.  Jesus did not want there to be any mistake about His identity. He wanted the mob to arrest the right Man, and to know Who that Man was. Jesus identified Himself by saying simply, “I am.” This answer had two aspects to it. Explain. Thank You, Jesus, that You allowed Yourself to be taken so that…

5.  Notice the response of the mob to Jesus’ forthright claim. Why did they do this? What does this suggest about the power of God’s glory, when we are identified with it? Bring together into one the prayers you composed for questions 1-4.

Summary
“With no other weapon than his own solitary voice uttering the words ‘I am,’ he knocked down, repelled and rendered helpless that great crowd, even with all their ferocious hatred and terror of arms. For God lay hidden in that human flesh, and eternal day was so obscured in those human limbs that he was looked for with lanterns and torches to be slain in the darkness. ‘I am,’ he says, and throws the wicked to the ground. What will he do when he comes as judge, who did this when giving himself up to be judged? What will his power be like when he comes to reign, who had this kind of power when he came to die? And now even at the present time Christ is still saying through the Gospel, ‘I am.’ And … the result is the same, as people go backward and fall to the ground because they have abandoned what is heavenly in favor of what is earthly.” Augustine (354-430 AD)

Jesus knew no fear. He faced His enemies squarely, and stood His ground, fully aware of what was about to ensue. How does this instruct us?

Closing Prayer
As for me, I will call upon God,
And the LORD shall save me.
Evening and morning and at noon
I will pray, and cry aloud,
And He shall hear my voice.
He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me,
For there were many against me.
God will hear, and afflict them,
Even He who abides from of old.
Selah
Because they do not change,
Therefore they do not fear God.

Psalm 55.16-19

Psalm 55.16-23 (Bread of Life: Break Thou the Bread of Life)
Lord, I will call on You, answer and save!
Morning and evening too, my voice I raise.
Grant me Your peace, O Lord; answer my foes!
All who reject God’s Word He overthrows.

Many assail, O Lord, many betray.
See how they draw their sword across my way.
Take up my burden, Lord; strengthen and bless!
Let judgment by Your Word their souls distress.

T. M. Moore

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We are happy to offer each week’s Scriptorium studies in a free weekly PDF, suitable for personal or group use. You can download all the studies in our series on the Gospel of John by clicking here. Please prayerfully consider sharing with The Fellowship of Ailbe through your giving. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Books by T. M. Moore

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