John 18.1-24

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The private instruction and prayers are finished and we come down from the complex mountain tops of John 17 to the plains of chapter 18. The troubles that have been anticipated are now present. Although John does not describe the agonising of Gethsemane, he has the same ideas, and although the Judas kiss is not described, yet Judas is prominent, he leads the arresting party, he is in the front and John points him out as the betrayer.

But who is Jesus dealing with? Who has brought these troubles on him? Is it Judas, who has triggered this final scene? Is it the Sanhedrin and the sophisticated political schemes of Annas and Caiaphas? Are the Romans behind it? Is it just opportunism with a mob of police and soldiers ready to arrest another victim?

In fact Jesus does not think any of these groups have brought about his troubles. When Peter leaps to his defence with the badly aimed sword blow, Jesus tells him to put his sword away. Peter must not prevent him from drinking the cup which his Father has given him. These troubles which Jesus is now bringing to their completion are the result of a united plan formed by the Father and the Son. Jesus goes to his death willingly, in order to carry out the will of the Father. He does not do it under compulsion, he does it because he and the Father are completely united in doing it. Jesus knows everything that is going to happen (v4), he willingly drinks the cup the Father has given him (v11).

And so he goes to Annas, who tries to interrogate him privately. It is really Caiaphas' job, but Annas is having a go first, after all he is the old patriarch and senior high priest. But Jesus refuses to discuss the questions, and to have a private conversation. He t has spoken publicly to the world. He is perhaps challenging Annas - he has spoken in the Temple and synagogues - has not Annas heard? In any case if he wants to know he should call witnesses - they will certainly remember what was said. Annas thinks he is calling Jesus to account, but he is talking to the Word made flesh, the one, full of grace and truth, who has revealed the Father, spoken the Father's words, done the Father's deeds. It is Annas who is being called to account by Jesus.

The soldier hits Jesus and Jesus' reply, while addressed to the soldier, applies also to Annas. If I have spoken the truth... Not only if he has spoken the truth just then, but if he has spoken the truth all along - not only should they not hit him, they should listen - or point out the wrong.

And Peter. He is confused. He has not run away. he has followed the arrest party. He knows a disciple who knows the way, who is known to the high priest, who has access to the house. He goes in, and discovers Peter is still outside. He brings him in. Peter is faithfully staying with Jesus. He does not know what will happen, but he is there with his master. On the way in the girl at the gate asks whether he is one of Jesus' disciples. What kind of a question is this? Is she eager to find out more? Is she a threat - perhaps they won't let him in? Like us sometimes, Peter is both loyal and disloyal at the same time. He is there with Jesus but denying to the girl that he is with Jesus.

We understand his confusion and the divided mind he had. But his master does not have a confused or divided mind. He knows why he is there and where he is going.

Dale Appleby

Who filled the cup? John 18.1-24

Isaiah 42.1-9, Acts 13.23-31, John 18.1-24 March 12, 2006