Shall I Not Drink the Cup

“SHALL I NOT DRINK THE CUP?”

John 18:1-27 Key Verse: 11

Here we begin the study of the Passion of the Christ. We learn how to win the victory over darkness and keep our identity in this world. Pay close attention to the contrast between Peter and Jesus and how they clearly identify themselves.

1. Read verses 1-3. What was the time and place of Jesus’ arrest? (What do the other gospels teach about this place? [Mt 26])
It was night time as they came to arrest him carrying torches. Jesus had moved across the Kidron Valley into a garden.
Matthew 26 – the place is called the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus had often gone there, the place was well to known to the disciples.
How did Judas know this place?
Verse 2, “Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.” This was a common place that Jesus and the disciples went possibly to have personal time every year when they came to Jerusalem. Jesus was not hiding but went to an open well known spot. The authorities came with many people expecting to have to search and possibly fight for Jesus.
What role did he play? (5b)

Verse 5b, “And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.”

Judas was leading the detachment of soldiers. Here he is clearly revealing himself as an agent of Satan.

2. Read verses 4-9. Who took the initiative?
Jesus took initiative. Verse 4b at the end states, “Who is it you want?” Again in verse 7, “Who is it you want?”

Jesus was fully prepared – and had knowledge from God what was going to happen as a weapon against others. They needed torches to arrest the light of the world and needed a small army against the prince of peace.
How did Jesus identify himself?
Even though Jesus was under arrest he boldly identified himself: “I am he.” Verse 5, “I am he.” Very clear who he was.

How did his arresters react?
Jesus announced, “I am he,” they fell back. Verse 6 says, “When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.” They were overcome not by physical force but by the presence of Jesus and by his authority. They fell back before one man who was standing on the truth of God.
Why?
Jesus is God. In his presence all authority ceases. Jesus using the term, “I am he,” associates himself with the conclusion of the gospel and that Jesus is God. That nature, that presence causes all men to draw back and fall down, whether they are disciples or not.
What is revealed about Jesus here?
Jesus is not the meek man from Galilee here but the Messiah, the Son of God at his proclamation. It also reveals that Jesus is in total command of the situation and not the soldiers and officials. Jesus was fearless and showed that the word of God had much more power and authority than these men.
What did Jesus know? (4)
Verse 4, “Jesus knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” Jesus was not surprised by their actions. This was his moment when mankind rejected their savior and Jesus was about to be arrested. Jesus was ready to accept the cup that God was giving him.
What was he concerned about? (8,9; 17:11)

Verse 8, “”I told you that I am he,” Jesus answered. “If you are looking for me then let these men go.” This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”
John 17:11
“I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me-- so that they may be one as we are one. ”

Even though Jesus was the one being arrested, he was giving orders to his captors. His concern was for the well being and future ministry of the disciples. So he told the mob to let the disciples go.

3. Read verses 10-11. How did Peter react?
Verse 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.)”

Peter felt that Jesus was not in control and decided to act. Peter felt this was his time to act and jumped out and cut a man's ear off, perhaps because of bad aim or the fact that they were leaving.
Why?
Peter's actions were at odds with what Jesus was trying to do. When Peter did not pray or hear the word of God, Peter became a hinderance to Jesus. We can become the same way if we too don't listen to Jesus and know that everything is in God's hands.
Why did Jesus restrain Peter?
Jesus said in verse 11, “Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?””
This was happening not by his enemy's will but by the will of the Father. Jesus knew that he could be saved by God if that was God's plan. Jesus was testifying to who he is. In this case Jesus wanted Peter to learn that this was a cup of suffering for the whole world's sin that Jesus needed to drink.
What reason does Jesus give and what does this mean?

God gives everyone a cup of mission. What is yours? We learn here that we must drink the cup that God gives us, the cup of mission. When God offers we must take it. We should not view this as a tragedy. It also means that Jesus willing chose this cup to glorify God. The image of the cup is used in the Old Testament to denote suffering (Ps 75:8) and, in particular, the wrath of God (Is 51:17, 22; Jer 25:15-29; 49:12; Lam 4:21; Ezek 23:31-34; Hab 2:16; cf. Rev 14:10; 16:19)

4. Read verses 12-14. Where was Jesus taken first?
Verse 12-13, “Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of the Caiaphas, the high priest that year.”
According to John's gospel, Jesus was taken to Annas for a pre-trial investigation, in hopes of intimidating Jesus. Notice how he was bound like a dangerous criminal.
Who were Annas and Caiaphas?
Caiaphas was the current high priest. Annas was his father-in-law and previous high priest. Annas was the real power behind the throne, according to external sources, Annas was the father of 5 high-priests in his life time. These high priests were concerned with political stability and expediency, not the truth.
Read verses 15-18. How did Peter get into the courtyard?
Verse 15,16 tell us, “Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciples was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciples, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty the and brought Peter in.”

Through some reasoning we can see the the apostle John was this “other” disciple. Apparently he was known to the high priest or at least the high priests family or of the people working for the high priest. John could enter the courtyard and follow Jesus and even had enough clout to bring Peter in. John shows his genuine care for Peter in this case by bringing him in.
What did he say and do?
Peter must have been shocked by what was happening, all so fast. So he stood by the fire with the others to warm himself. In the course of standing there, in verse 17, “You are not one of his disciples are you?” the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.”
How did he try to save himself?
By denying Jesus he tried to save himself. He went over to the fire and just tried to fit in. At the time of trouble he denied Jesus and denied his Holy mission. He went into survival mode. Here was when he should have testified. Second time in verse 25, Peter was questioned again: “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it saying, “I am not.” The one time he should have been testifying, he was in denial.
What contrast can you find in Jesus and Peter?

Jesus had testified boldly that, “I am he.” Peter had sternly denied, “I am not.” Jesus is relying on God but Peter is relying on his own will power. Here we learn the more we take the cup of mission that God gives us, the stronger we become. The more we pass the cup and try to survive, the weaker we become. Jesus confessed before maybe 100 soldiers. Peter denied before slave girl. In this situation, far from Jesus he cannot overcome the world's pressure and collapses denying Jesus.

5. Read verses 19-24. Which high priest questioned Jesus?
Annas questioned Jesus first in this gospel. Verse 19, “Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching”
About what?
Jesus was questioned about his disciples and his teaching.
How did Jesus answer?
Jesus answered in verse 20-21, “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”
Jesus answered the high priest with the truth. Jesus confronted the high priest with the truth and now wanted him to make the right decision based on the true words of others.
Why did one official strike Jesus?
Look at verse 22, “When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded.

Jesus had no respect for position or expediency, but only for the truth. One official respected politics more and took advantage of a bound Jesus to strike him. Here we see officials and Sadducees not taking the cup of leadership and suffering for God.

How did Jesus respond?
Look at verse 23, “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?”
Jesus responded with another question meant to reveal motive. He wanted them to testify to the truth.
What was wrong with this trial?
This was not a trial but a pre-trial shake-down. There were no witnesses and the purpose was not to get to the truth but to get Jesus to self-incriminate or intimidate him. This was politically motivated – expediency in rhetorical terms.
Where was Jesus sent from there? (Mt 26:57-67)

V. 24 Jesus was sent to Caiaphas – still bound like a dangerous man. Matthew 26:57 “Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest...” from there Jesus was moved to another trial before the full high priest in an official capacity.

6. Read verses 25-27. In the meantime, what was Peter doing?
In verse 25-27, Simon Peter was still by the fire warming himself. Peter was waiting for some news, some outcome. But he was still being accused of being a follower of Jesus.
How was he protecting himself?
Peter protected himself by denying that he was a disciple of Jesus. In other gospels he even swore and cursed that he was not a disciple. As he had swore that he would die for Jesus just a few pages before, now he was denying Jesus completely. Where Jesus was not denying anything before the high priest but testifying to the truth no matter the consequence – trusting that it was in God's hands.
Why did he deny Jesus two more times?
Peter denied Jesus two more times because he could not handle the pressure away from Jesus. When Peter did not pray, did not rely on God in trouble times, he crumbled under the world's pressure. Here we learn to rely on Jesus and pray to God for strength and wisdom to testify and overcome difficult times. Peter did not take the cup like Jesus.
What does it mean that the rooster crowed? (13:38)
John 13:38 “Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!”
After Peter denied Jesus three times, the rooster crowd to fulfill his earlier prediction of Peter's denial. The interesting thing is that this is now Peter's moment and wait to bear. He can repent and be made whole again by Jesus. Or he can bear his own sin. Also the rooster crowing signifies a new day, meaning a new chance a new beginning to be forgiven by Jesus and start again. Third time, Peter finally took the cup of suffering like Jesus. Here we learn that we must accept Jesus' words whether we like them or not.

In conclusion, we have to ask what is our cup? Our cup is a cup of mission and campus mission to testify about Jesus. We must make a decision to drink the cup. Beginning from me, say together, “Let us drink the cup!” And take this cup while you are young.