John 18,1-27

1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. 2 And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.
3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, whom seek ye?
5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
7 Then asked he them again, whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. 8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
9 that the saying might be fulfilled, which he spoke, of them which thou gravest me have I lost none.
10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,
13 and led him away to Annas first; for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.
14 Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.
16 But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that another disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spoke unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.
17 Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not.
18 And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.
19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
20 Jesus answered him, I spoke openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.
21 Why asks thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.
22 And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answers thou the high priest so?
23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
24 Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
25 And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.
26 One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman, whose ear Peter cut off, saith, did not I see thee in the garden with him?
27 Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.

Hello everyone, I am kiki. Chinese name of our second phase of the program is “读经大讲堂”. The English name is “Bible study”.
We will adopt a relaxed also enjoyable learning mode to take you into a new learning world. Each time I will make a personal summary and analysis from the perspective of a learner, and then Sister Ingrid will help me conduct in-depth learning and problem discussions with everybody.
I hope that such an interesting and interactive process can bring new knowledge experience to you all. The following is my interview with my sister on related issues. Today is the twenty-eighth lecture on the Gospel of John.
Everyone is welcome to leave a message in the comment area for discussion!

2.My summary of John twenty-eighth-time study:

Well, everybody! Firstly, is still my today’s personal study summary.
This story takes place just before Jesus is arrested.
Jesus and his disciples go to a garden where Judas, the disciple who betrays Jesus, leads soldiers and officers to arrest him.
He steps forward and asks them who they’re looking for, and when they say “Jesus of Nazareth,” he tells them, “I am he.” This powerful statement makes the group fall backward.
Then Jesus asks again who they’re seeking, and again says, “I am he.” He tells them to let his disciples go, fulfilling his earlier promise that none of his followers would be lost.
When the soldiers try to take Jesus, Peter, one of his disciples, pulls out a sword and cuts off the ear of a man named Malchus.
Jesus tells Peter to put away the sword, explaining that he must go through this because it’s what God has planned for him.
The soldiers then arrest and bind Jesus, bringing him first to Annas and then to the high priest, Caiaphas, who previously advised that Jesus’ death would benefit the people.
Peter and another disciple follow Jesus to where he’s being questioned. When asked if he’s one of Jesus’ disciples, Peter denies it three times, just as Jesus had predicted. As soon as he denies Jesus the third time, a rooster crows, reminding Peter of Jesus’ words.
Now let Ingrid sister make a go further summary.

3.Sister’s comment from my studying summary:

Hello sister, you mentioned the most important points. I have another thing to add, that Peter was not allowed to follow Jesus in this situation, because he did not have the permission to enter the courtyard.

He used the advantage that another disciple was known to the High priest and so he could enter. If he had respected this prohibition, they would not be able to ask him about Jesus and he had not denied Jesus there.

Another point is, that Jesus was standing bound before the High priest.
He told, that anyone could hear what he preached and that there was no secret about his teaching.

A servant has struck Jesus in the face and Jesus asks him, why he does this, and said, that he should proof, if Jesus was wrong and if he was right, why did he strike him?

This was the only situation in that Jesus defended himself, after this, he kept quiet. The scripture says, that he went as a lamb to his slaughter without defending himself.

And the last interesting point is, that Caifas said, that it is better that one dies for all the others, and that was a prophetic word, because Jesus died for all of us.

4. Q list part: base on John 16th items:

Okay. Base on above bible study content, now let me ask sister some related questions.
We hope the following questions can be helpful to our brothers and sisters who have just become Christians.

 1. Why did Judas betray Jesus, and what does it show about loyalty and

Judas was a robber. Jesus gave him the ministry to keep the money of the disciples and Judas had the habit to steal there for himself.

Judas followed Jesus, because he thought that Jesus will arise his kingdom on earth and he wanted to have a powerful part in this kingdom.

When he saw, that Jesus is persecuted for to be crucified, he wanted at least earn a bit money by delivering him to his persecutors.

He never has been loyal to Jesus. Jesus gave him a lot of opportunities to change, but he never did it.

 2. What do you think it means when Jesus says, “I am he,” and everyone falls back?

This is a fenmen we see in a lot of modern churches, that people fall back during the service. They say, it is the work of the Holy Spirit, but when we compare scripture here with reality, it is the opposite.

When people surrender before God and adore him, they fall on their knees.
In the bible, when people fall back, it is always a sign of judgement, that there is something wrong.

 3. Why did Jesus tell Peter to put away his sword?

Because Peter is resisting the plan of God. It was Jesus’ destiny to go to the cross and die for all of us, so Peter should not defend Jesus and keep him away from this plan.

Here a lot of Christians commit mistakes, when they pray for good things here on earth and ignore what scripture says. The scripture says, that there will be wars, earthquakes and terrible things. So, when we pray against this, we pray against the plan of God.

Of course, we can pray for the suffering people there and the people around us that they will be saved and come to heaven, but Gods plan is, to make everything new, so we shall pray according to Gods plan.

 4. How does Jesus’ calm response to his arrest show his trust in God’s plan?

He fulfills the scripture where it is written about him, that he will go like a lamb to the slaughter.

 5. What is the significance of Peter denying Jesus three times?

Peter felt during the supper very strong and he said, he would die with Jesus. Jesus warned him, that he will deny him before the cock shouts.

We have to be aware, that Satan says to God, he will test us all, if we are true or hypocritical Christians. And so, the answer of Peter was a test, that he not passed.

He was very proud before, but then he was aware of his own weakness and he cried and repented.

Before God can use us, he has to smash our pride, too. Because if we are proud of following Jesus, we are useless for him.

6. Why do you think Peter denied knowing Jesus even though he was a loyal disciple?

It was his weakness. He was confused about that was happened, that it was one of the disciples that betrayed Jesus, the court in the same night, I think it was just too much for him.

 7. What lesson can we learn from Peter’s reaction to Jesus’ arrest?

We should not attack other people who are not willing to follow Jesus.
There are people who attack us because we are Christians and say blasphemy things about Jesus and the bible. But we shall not attack them, better ignore them and be aware, that God said, the revenge is mine.

 8. Why did Jesus say that none of his followers would be lost?

This was a promise. He lost only Judas, who took the decision to go the other way.

 9. What do you think it means to trust in God’s plan, even when it’s hard?

I answer short: The bible says: Don t cast away your trust which has a great reward. Sometimes life here on earth is really heavy, but when we follow Jesus, we will get the reward in heaven.

 10. How can this story help us understand forgiveness and second chances?

We understand the character of God: Even Peter has committed a great sin and mistake, when he repented, he could come back and Jesus gave him a second chance.

Life is long and we do not always the right things and are not always on the small way and we grew cold in our faith.

But when we repent from our heart and ask God for forgiveness, he gives us a second chance and will go on with us in our life.