Welcome to Kendra Graham’s online Bible study. This is a place where we can come together and share in our journey towards Scriptural truths and spiritual maturity. We pray this will be a safe, respectful, resourceful place to come and discuss God’s Word…to discover What it says…What it means…and What it means to you!
Kendra Graham NOTES from John 18:1-12
WHAT DOES IT SAY? THE FACTS ONLY PLEASE.
In this step you need to list the outstanding facts of the passage. DON’T get caught up in the details, just list the facts. Do not paraphrase. Use the actual words of the passage. This is God’s Word, a lot of times this step seems tedious to some, but I urge you, as we read, and say and write God’s Word, it begins to sink deep into our hearts. If you just pick one fact out of the verse, write it down and meditate on it.
FACTS:
Verse 1: When Jesus had spoken these words, He went where there was a garden into which He & His disciples entered.
Verse 2: Judas was betraying Him, knew the place
Verse 3: Judas, the Roman cohort, and officers from the chief priests & Pharisees came with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
Verse 4: Jesus, knowing ALL things coming, went forth and said, “Whom do you seek?”
Verse 5: Jesus the Nazarene. He said to them, “I AM He.” Judas standing with them
Verse 6: When He said… they drew back and fell to the ground.
Verse 7: Again, He asked “Whom do you seek?” They said, “Jesus, the Nazarene”
Verse 8: Jesus answered, “I told you, I AM He, if you seek Me, let these go.”
Verse 9: that the word be fulfilled, “Of those whom Thou hast given Me, I lost no one.”
Verse 10: Simon Peter having a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, cut off his right ear.
Verse 11: a.) Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword in the sheath; b.) the cup My father has given Me, shall I not drink?”
Verse 12: The Roman cohort, the commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN? THE LESSONS.
Look for a lesson to learn from each fact. What are the people doing that they should be doing? What are the people doing that they shouldn’t be doing?
Is there a command to follow? A promise to claim? A warning to heed? An example to follow?
LESSONS:
Verse 1: Be driven to your knees to gain courage to stand.
Verse 2: God’s plan is not always what we want it to be. The devastating hurt of betrayal was part of God’s perfect will. God’s will is just that…. God’s will. God is Trustworthy. These are the challenging times that force choices out of us—believe Him! Even in this…even in this.
Verse 3: What others mean for evil… God turns around for good. This world will show its power against Jesus; however, “These things I have spoken to you so that IN ME you may have peace. In the world you WILL have tribulation, BUT TAKE COURAGE I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Jesus overcomes the world HERE…REDEMPTION will prevail.
Verse 4: Jesus—knowing EVERYTHING that was coming—didn’t run from God’s will, even when it was going to be overwhelming suffering. He ran to it…. Jesus went FORTH, compelled with compassion, “splagchizoma,” deep in His soul for you.
Verse 5: Jesus doesn’t run away. The decision was made before the beginning of time. Compelled to stand His ground, proclaim His name. No need for the traitor to beat the bushes and drag out the Rabbi by His tunic. No need even for Judas to kiss Jesus to show who He was. Jesus, compelled for the sake of His name to step up and proclaim who He is! He is I AM.
Verse 6: Bowled backward at the name of Jesus and the power of His Word. This would give them room for pause and space for repentance. “At the NAME OF JESUS every knee will bow” (Philippians 2:10). Jesus is a confrontation that we all must face.
Verse 7: “Whom do you seek?” The crowd has been given grace here, another pause to reconsider the action they are about to take. Jesus, still relentless for His handmade creation, gives us a choice. All authority is under the feet of Jesus, period.
Verse 8: Jesus is not overwhelmed by the mob, He is in charge! Commands them to let disciples go.
Verse 9: The Word of Jesus is strong, powerful, and faithful! Jesus’s Word WILL be done. AS He speaks it, it is so, it is done, it is completed! We can take the Word of Jesus to the bank. It is valid, true and will always be proven. Why do we not live our lives believing and trusting God’s Word as if it is already done?
Verse 10: Your compassion to “help” Jesus and protect Jesus can often collide with His plan.
Verse 11: a.) We often do things because the heart behind it is right; we want to help because we love Jesus, so we try to “fix” things, to bring justice to the situation, and what we end up doing is making a bigger mess. Don’t try to shield the people you love from the pain and suffering they must endure. God is at work. Now is where belief becomes real. b.) Jesus shows total submission to the Father—trust—there is no pro/con list to be made. If the Father hands me this cup, I will drink all of it, even if it is sour; I trust Him that much.
Verse 12: Jesus could have walked away unscathed… all He would have had to do was keep saying His name, “I AM,” thus keeping the mob on the ground. BUT God… compelled His own love toward us in that while we were STILL ENEMIES (in the mob), Christ DIED FOR US. (Romans 5:8) Jesus allowed Himself to be bound, for you and for me. Sometimes it is the will of God for you and me to be bound.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME NOW? APPLY IT…. TODAY.
Take the lessons you learned and put them into the form of a personal question that you would ask your spouse, or a friend or your son or daughter.
As you write the questions, listen for God to communicate to you through His Word.
*Do not rush. Do not write things down just to have something on paper, this step takes more time that you may think. This is where Scripture meditation becomes real, this is where you begin to hear that still small voice speak to you, and place His finger in your life and begin to direct your paths…. this day, and the next, and the next. Do you trust Him enough to put into place that which He is moving you to?
Verse 1: Where has God called you to stand? What has God put before you that may go against all your logic, will and desire? When have you been strengthened by prayer? If you are not praying, why is that? What is keeping you from the throne of God? Fear? Unbelief?
Verse 2: What challenging situations have you experienced in your life—or are experiencing this very minute— that put your belief or lack of belief to the test? What will you do? What do you really believe? What do your actions say you believe?
Verse 3: Have the hard things in this world, and the cruelty in this world driven you to Jesus or away from Him?
Verse 4: Are you willing to be blessed and broken for the glory of God? Are you willing to do great things for God, even if they involve suffering?
Verse 5: Do you believe Jesus is who He said He is?
Verse 6: What happens in your heart and life when you hear the name of Jesus? Do you stand defiant with fists raised? Or in awe with knees bent? Who do you say Jesus is?
Verse 7: What will you do with Jesus? What is your choice?
Verse 8: When things feel like they are spiraling out of control in your life and the world, isn’t it comforting to know that Jesus is in charge?
Verse 9: Do you know the Word of God? What is God’s Word for you? Do you care? What is the evidence that you care one way or the other?
Verse 10: When have you thought you knew better, and you went ahead with your instincts instead of waiting to see what Jesus had for you? How did that work out?
Verse 11: When has suffering in your life or in the life of someone you know produced a closeness with God in the end; but during the dark time, it was so hard to let them go and allow God to work through it? Did you ever think that suffering is something God would want to use in your life for His glory? “The suffering of this present time is not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18 b). Am I just wanting Jesus for the good and easy times, or am I willing to be poured out like a drink offering for His name’s sake?
Verse 12: Have you ever thought about the possibility that God’s will is for you to be bound…. in a bad marriage, in a disease, in a job, in a house with little kids, in a city you don’t like….? We naturally try to get out of everything that hurts, but have we ever considered that God needs us to trust Him—even through the suffering, so that He can show us Himself in a greater way?
LIVE IT OUT!
Hold yourself accountable to LIVE OUT in your daily life that which God impresses upon your heart. Write it out, sign it, date it and claim the transforming power of God’s Word and His presence in your life.
God with skin on, Jesus, is relentless for me… oh that God would instill that same relentless drive in me for Him.
Homework: John 11:38-45
Get stuck? www.annegrahamlotz.com and Anne will walk through the Three Questions with you and help you along!