Aches and Praise Five Hundred & Thirty One

Posted on 2021-11-10 in English |

November 10, 2021
 
 
 
Dear friends,
 

In our Bible study group on Zoom last night, we looked at the arrest of Jesus in John 18. When Judas decided to betray Jesus, he arranged for a detachment of troops (v. 3) to accompany him. I was surprised to learn that the detachment of Roman soldiers included about 600 men. These men, along with officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, fell to the ground when Jesus said “I am He” (v. 6). Earlier in the Gospel of John, we read: “No man ever spoke like this Man!” (7:46). We also see that Jesus answered the Jews in a similar way as He did the officers: “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM” (8:58). This echoes the words that Moses heard from God in Exodus 3: “I AM WHO I AM. Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you” (v. 14).

As we examined the account of the betrayal and arrest of Jesus in John 18, we realized that it is important to read the accounts in the other three gospels. Matthew, Mark, and Luke provide other information and insights. While John is the only gospel writer to report Jesus’ interview with Annas (v. 13), Matthew recorded more than John did of what Jesus said to Peter after he cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant: “Or do you think that I cannot now pray to my Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?” (26:53). In his Study Bible, Dr. David Jeremiah writes: “With a word He could have summoned more than twelve legions of angels – 72,000 warriors eager to snuff out His enemies. Each angel can overpower countless men; in one night, one angel killed 185,000 marauding Assyrian troops who were threatening Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:35).” Jesus knew “all things that would come upon Him” (John 18:4) and let Judas arrange to arrest Him.

Mark wrote about Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin (14:55-64) and Luke recorded that Jesus turned and looked at Peter after he denied Him three times (23:61). As we read all four gospels, we get a better understanding of what Jesus said and did.

In the Scripture for the weekend, the words that Jesus cried out on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles (see Leviticus 23 for more about this) are recorded. In his Study Bible, Dr. David Jeremiah writes: “On the final day of the Feast of Tabernacles, the priests’ group would go to the pool of Siloam and draw water into golden pitchers, which they would pour onto the altar of sacrifice at the temple. They would then sing songs from Isaiah 12:3 and Psalm 114:7, 8. This ritual was a reminder of God’s provision in the wilderness.

Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of this feast. He is both the Rock from which the living water flows and the Living Water (John 4:14; Num. 20; Deut. 8:15; Neh. 9:15; Rev. 21:6; 22:1).” Have you put your trust in the One who left the splendour of heaven to live on the earth in order to take the punishment that our sins deserved? He alone offers forgiveness for our sins and a life of blessings as we walk with Him.                                                        
 
Scripture for the weekend: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” John 7:37-38 (NKJV)
 

Thought for the weekend: “The good news is that Jesus has the power to heal the wounds we cause. He often can undo the mistakes we make. Of course, it is better to stay in tune with our Lord’s program right from the beginning. We should take to heart His rebuke to Simon Peter: ‘Put away your sword! That’s not the way I work. I am not here to destroy, to cut people apart. I’m here to put people back together again.’”  – Ray C. Stedman (from his book “God’s Loving Word”)

 

By His grace,
 

Steve

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