February 7, 1988
When we hear of the betrayal and arrest of an innocent man, we may respond with pity. In this message from John Chapter 18, however, Alistair Begg encourages us to view the events at the start of Jesus’ passion for what they were: displays of the majesty of God incarnate. The actions Christ undertook and the words He spoke in Gethsemane demonstrate His active participation in and submission to God’s plan for redemption.
4Then Jesus, sknowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, t“Whom do you seek?” 5They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.”1 Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6uWhen Jesus2 said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7So he asked them again, t“Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” 9vThis was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” 10Then Simon Peter, whaving a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant3 and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) 11So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; xshall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”
12So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews4 arrested Jesus and bound him.
Copyright © 2024, Alistair Begg. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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