Day 34

The Arrest and Trial of the King

Read John 18:1-27

Summary

• Jesus and His disciples went to an olive grove, and Judas brought soldiers and religious officers there to arrest Him.

• When Jesus boldly declared His identity - "I Am" - He was proclaiming the Hebrew name of God. His enemies fell to the ground in shock and Jesus had to bring them to their senses.

• Peter tried to protect Jesus by drawing his sword and cutting off the ear of the high priest’s servant. Jesus stopped Peter from resisting, and willingly allowed Himself to get arrested.

• Jesus was taken to Annas and Caiaphas for questioning in a sham trial. Meanwhile, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times while he was watching the trial in the courtyard.

Reflect

1. Why was Jesus able to remain calm and steady at both His arrest and trial before the High Priest? How does His serene demeanour inspire you to trust God’s protection and sovereignty in your time of trouble?

2. Contrast Jesus’ response with Peter’s panicky denials. Why was Peter so quick to deny knowing Jesus three times? What do you think he was struggling with?

3. How can you follow Jesus’ example while facing challenging moments? Ask the Lord to help you stay calm and steady in times of trial and hardship.

Watch

Videos used with permission by Michael Hoff
YouTube.com/@digitaltheologian
www.digitaltheologian.com 

This video talks about Jesus' divinity and submission to God's plan, even in the face of betrayal and arrest. His use of "I Am" evoked God’s divine name, demonstrating His authority. Despite Peter's boldness in defending Jesus, he misunderstood the nature of Jesus' mission. Jesus modelled a complete surrender to God’s will and challenged us to do likewise.

Reflect

4. Have you ever misunderstood God's plan and tried to act in your own strength to get out of a sticky situation? How did it go? If you had fully committed it to the Lord, how do you think the situation would have turned out?

Closing Prayer

Pray for more trust in God's sovereignty and put His plans above yours. Ask Him for wisdom and strength to stay calm in times of trouble.

Additional Resources

Listen: “God” Is Not a Name by BibleProject [1:05:28]