Day 40 – You knew they were coming

John 18:1-18

When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. So after procuring a body of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, Judas went in with lanterns, torches, and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing everything that was about to happen to him, went out and said to them, “Who are you looking for?”

They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth?”

Jesus said to them, “I am.”

Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

So again he asked them, “Who are you looking for?”

They said, “Jesus of Nazareth?”

Jesus answered, “I told you - I am. So if you are looking for me, let these ones go.” This was to fulfil the word he had spoken, “Of those you have given me, I have lost none.”

Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword away. Shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given me?”

So the body of soldiers, the commanding officer, and the officers of the Jews seized Jesus and bound him, and led him first to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it would be good for one man to die for the people.

Simon Peter followed Jesus, as did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, the one known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in. Then the maid who kept the door said to Peter, “Are you also one of this man’s disciples?”

He said, “I am not.”

Now the servants and the officers had made a coal fire, for it was cold, and they stood there warming themselves. Peter was now with them, standing and warming himself.

For reflection

How important is the difference between Jesus’ “I am” and Peter’s “I am not”? When someone asks if you identify as someone defined by Jesus, how do you answer, and how does pressure sometimes shape what you say?