Part 8 of John The Wonderful Arrest of Jesus Christ Key Verses: John 18:1-12 (NIV)

But first - a different account of the arrest of Jesus Christ.

1 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went into it.

2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples

3 So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you want?" 5"Jesus of Nazareth," they replied.

5 "I am he," Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.)

Exodus 3: I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt." 11 But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" 12 And God said, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain."

Exodus 3:10-14 (con’t.) 13 Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?" 14 God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'"

6 When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground.

1. In the midst of (what appears to us to be) confusion, chaos, and defeat, God is present and powerful!

Jeremiah 23:24 "Can a man hide himself in hiding places So I do not see him?" declares the LORD "Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?" declares the LORD.

Psalm 139:7-10 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

If God is really “present and powerful”, why do bad things happen in the world. Why does evil exist?

7 Again he asked them, "Who is it you want?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." 8 "I told you that I am he," Jesus answered. "If you are looking for me, then let these men go."

9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: "I have not lost one of those you gave me." 10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.)

11 Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?"

2. Our failure or inability to notice Jesus or what he is doing doesn’t mean he is not present and working.

Our failure to notice God is caused by our lack of spiritual maturity. (Proverbs 3:5). Our inability to notice God is caused by our lack (as humans) of never fully understanding God.

Isaiah 55:8-9 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus.

3. God can be working in the midst of any event, any problem, any tragedy, or any hopeless situation we face – if we invite him and allow him to.*

One Question: Into what problem, what challenge, what event or what hopeless situation do you need to invite God and allow Him to make his presence known?