John 18:1-14 (NIV)
Read by: Jess Steere
Through the gospel of John, Jesus has been making these “I AM” statements. “I am the bread of life,” “I am the light of the world,” I am the resurrection and the life,” “I am the way the truth and the life.” This phrase, I am, is a reference to the story that the people of Israel are celebrating the very night that Jesus was arrested, the passover.
In Exodus 3, Moses was called by God in the wilderness to go to pharaoh and say “let my people go” he asked God the question “who should I say sent me?” and God said, “tell them I AM sent you.” In that same passage God referred to Israel as his son. Sisters and brothers, today’s passage is a stunning inversion of the first passover. The God who sent Moses to set Israel (God’s son) free… is now sending his son, Jesus, to be taken into captivity, to set the world free.
----------REFLECT----------
1. What word of phrase stood out to you in this passage? Ask the LORD why.
2. Peter draws his sword and cuts off a man’s ear in defense of Jesus, and Jesus corrects Peter and tells him to put the sword away. Have you ever reacted in situations where Jesus was dishonored or attacked, only to wish you had responded differently?
3. The I AM who set Israel free is being taken into custody by Israel, in order to set them and the rest of the world free. What kind of God does such a thing? How do you react to the character of such a God?
----------CONNECT----------
Find an InterVarsity Chapter >>
Start an InterVarsity Chapter >>
Learn More >>
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free