He Willingly Allowed Himself

In one paragraph

This Monday night study at First Baptist Jackson worked through John 18:1-27, covering the betrayal and arrest of Jesus in the garden and Peter's three denials in the high priest's courtyard. The pastor led the group through the passage verse by verse, pausing to let the congregation share observations and encouragement along the way. The evening's central question was why Jesus, who could have...

Read together

1. John 18:1-27 main passage read and expounded for the evening
2. John 14 referenced as where Jesus says I am the way the truth and the life and promises the Holy Spirit
3. John 17 Jesus prays for disciples and future believers including for eternal life unity joy protection and holiness
4. John 21 mentioned as the chapter where Peter's restoration takes place
5. John 18:36 my kingdom is not an earthly one cited when discussing Peter's use of the sword
6. Exodus 3:14 background to the I am statement when God tells Moses I am has sent me to you
7. John 3:16 God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him won't perish but will have eternal life
8. 1 Peter 3:15 people will ask you for a defense of the hope that is within you
9. John 17:3 closing prayer this is the way to have eternal life to know you the only true God and Jesus Christ

Talk about it

1. Carl talked about how Jesus spent all of chapter 13 through 17 preparing his disciples, and yet when the moment came they still scattered and denied him. Can you think of a time when you felt prepared for something spiritually but still fell apart when it actually happened?
2. The preacher pointed out that when Jesus said 'I am,' the soldiers fell to the ground, and that at any point he could have called down angels or simply walked away. What does it mean to you that he chose not to?
3. Peter grabbed a sword to defend Jesus, and then a short time later denied even knowing him. Blake described this as Peter being zealous in his heart but falling short when the metal hit the meat. Where do you see that same gap between intention and action in your own faith?
4. Raymond noticed that the first denial was made easy for Peter because the girl asked the question in a way that practically invited him to say no. In what ways does the culture around us make it easy to quietly step away from identifying with Jesus?
5. The conversation at the end touched on the difference between living out God's kingdom on earth and trying to turn it into an earthly kingdom. What does it look like practically, in your own life or community, to live out the kingdom without trying to force it?