"John 18:1-24
Trust that God can bring good out of evil
Sometimes, when conflict comes in our lives, we only have ourselves to blame. However, this is not necessarily always the case. The attacks on Jesus did not come about as a result of his own sin or failure. Rather, they were the result of evil. Yet God used it for good (v.14).
Betrayal
This was a terrible moment in the life of Jesus. His friend and disciple Judas, with whom he had spent three years, led a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees to arrest Jesus (vv.1–12).
There is nothing more painful than when an attack comes from a friend or colleague.
Ill-treatment
The very authorities that should have been protecting the innocent joined in the attack on Jesus. They arrested Jesus. ‘They bound him’ (v.12). They took him first to Annas and then to Caiaphas. Standing before the high priest, still bound, Jesus is struck in the face (vv.12–14,19–24).
If Jesus was treated in this way we should not be surprised if, from time to time, we come under attack from those in authority – whether religious or secular.
Denial
Peter’s denial did not come from an evil heart but simply from human weakness. When asked whether he was one of Jesus’ disciples he replied, ‘I am not’ (v.17).
I totally understand how Peter could have got himself into a position of denying Jesus in spite of all his best intentions. I have sometimes said or done things which in hindsight were sheer cowardice.
The reality is that Jesus is in full control of the situation. He knew ‘all that was going to happen to him’ (v.4). He acted to fulfill his own prayer in the previous chapter (v.9, see 17:12). Jesus went to his death ‘to drink the cup the Father has given’ him, paying the penalty for our sin and wrongdoing (18:11).
He paid the penalty for us. ‘It would be good if one person died for the people’ (v.14). Jesus’ death is on behalf of Peter and each one of us. He faces the attack of death and judgment so that we do not have to. Jesus allows himself to be bound (vv.12,24) so that we can be unbound and set free.
Father, thank you for the extraordinary dignity of Jesus in the face of betrayal and sadistic attack. Give me courage and wisdom to know how to respond with dignity and grace when I come under attack. Thank you that you brought good out of evil. Thank you that Jesus died in my place so that I could be set free. Help me to trust that in everything you work together for the good of those who love you and are called according to your purpose (Romans 8:28)."
1. Thank You that even good can indeed come out of evil. You can do anything.
2. Thank You for a 360-degree walk plus hitting 2 birds with one stone.
3. Thank You for having limbs that can bring us to places.
