Main Point: Jesus is the one who is faithful. Main Application: Remember that Jesus is faithful even when we are not.

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1 Week 27, John 18:12 27 Hook Main Point: Jesus is the one who is faithful. Main Application: Remember that Jesus is faithful even when we are not. Discussion Questions: What is the biggest promise that someone made to you and kept? How does breaking a promise affect a work relationship? A friendship? A parenting relationship? A marriage? Current Event: Alex Sheen started a global movement titled Because I Said I Would. Sheen s father was diagnosed with small cell cancer in 2011 and passed away in 2012; in remembering his father, Sheen focused on the man s honesty and integrity. In his father s memory, Alex began printing cards that were blank except for a sentence on the bottom: Because I said I would. The idea is that people need to keep their promises and can use the cards as reminders to do so. Alex will send Because I Said I Would cards to anyone in the United States

2 John 18:12 27 Book Main Point: Jesus is the one who is faithful. Main Application: Trust that Jesus is faithful even when we are not. Text Summary: Jesus travels to the hearing before the Jewish officials, followed by Peter and another disciple. As Jesus stands before His questioners, Peter is questioned repeatedly by the people. Throughout this section of verses, Jesus stays faithful and doesn t deny anything, while Peter breaks under pressure and denies everything relating to his association with this man, Jesus. John 18:12 18 (Read) Sub Application: Do not be ashamed of Jesus. Jesus is arrested and brought before the high priest. Peter denies being a disciple of Jesus. There are two scenes happening here. The first is Jesus before His Jewish hearing. This first scene is private. We know this because only one of the disciples is allowed in at first. Because of this, the second scene is set up. This scene involves Peter, and it s public. The disciples followed Jesus for years, and now they follow Him as He is led away. The first disciple knew the high priest and was allowed to enter the courtyard while Peter waited outside. The disciple returned to the entrance where the servant girl was to usher Peter in. Peter denies his association with the man Jesus. Notice throughout this passage it appears that both Jesus and Peter are standing trial for their words and actions. Jesus (in front of the Jewish officials) and Peter (in public by the people). In the end, it is Jesus and only Jesus who stands strong in the face of His accusers. Peter fails. For Peter, [when] 2 Jesus was present, Peter was filled with boldness and sought to interfere with Jesus mission. But when he was alone and challenged, he lost his courage and abandoned his discipleship. The scene closes as Peter stands by the fire, getting warm with everybody else that was standing by. The description of Peter here suggests that he was trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. Like Judas earlier (18:5), Peter here stands with Jesus enemies. 3 2 Gerald L. Borchert, The New American Commentary: John Broadman & Holman: Nashville, 2002, Andreas Kostenberger, Baker Exegetical Commentary On the New Testament: John. Baker Academic: Grand Rapids, 2004, p. 515.

3 Verse 15 tells us that Peter followed Jesus all the way to Jesus hearing before the officials and then he still ends up denying his association with Jesus to the servant girl. Why does Peter downplay his loyalty so quickly? What is Peter afraid will happen to him if he is identified as a follower of Jesus? What would cause a person to deny Jesus today in America? In other parts of the world? John 18:19 27 (Read) Sub Application: Be bold about allegiance to Christ. Peter denies Jesus two more times. Verse 19 picks up with Jesus being questioned by the high priest. He begins to report on the happenings of Jesus hearing as they progress at the same time Peter is standing by the fire. The questions asked of Jesus in verses concern His teaching and all that He has said in public and in private. The high priest even questions Jesus about the disciples. From the responses Jesus gives, it appears that [the] Jewish leadership seems to have viewed Jesus as a false prophet who secretly enticed people to fall away from the God of Israel an offense punishable by death (Deut. 13:1-11). Apparently, Annas hopes that Jesus might incriminate himself on those counts. 4 Notice again that Jesus is asked about His disciples and He says nothing. On the other side of this, Peter is asked about Jesus and he denies everything. Jesus protects His disciples, and Peter protects himself. Verses record Peter s second and third denials of Jesus, just as Christ Himself has predicted for Peter. Jesus denies nothing. Peter denies everything. The hope in these verses and in Peter s example is understanding that [Peter] was merely a fallible human whom the church must not remake into something more than human. Clearly, sometimes he was a miserable failure as a follower of Jesus. But the fact helps us as human failures to realize that we do not have to be perfect to become followers of Jesus or to be accepted by God. 5 How does verse 20 show Jesus faithfulness in being honest and forthright before His accusers? What s different about verse 20 from verses 25 and 27? 4 Andreas Kostenberger, Baker Exegetical Commentary On the New Testament: John. Baker Academic: Grand Rapids, 2004, p Gerald L. Borchert, The New American Commentary: John Broadman & Holman: Nashville, 2002, p. 236.

4 Does Peter s denial of Jesus nullify his faith? Verse 26 mentions Peter s action when he drew the sword on the man in the garden to protect Jesus and defend Him. What is different about what Peter is doing now? What has changed?

5 Week 27, 18:12 27 Took Main Point: Jesus is the one who is faithful. Main Application: Trust that Jesus is faithful even when we are not. In Today s Culture: New Year s resolutions are made at the beginning of the year in efforts to make and keep a promise to one s self. Approximately 40 percent of Americans will make New Year s resolutions and approximately eight percent of Americans will fulfill them. Ninety-two percent of the folks who make resolutions do not keep their promises. 6 Discussion Questions: Have you ever made a resolution? What was it? Did you keep it? Is it easier to break a promise to yourself as opposed to breaking a promise you made to a loved one? What should be your response when you fail to keep a promise? Lesson Conclusion: When brought before the high priest, Jesus refuses to deny His ministry. When physically accosted, Jesus refuses to deny His ministry. However, in fear, Peter denies being a follower of Jesus. Challenge: Your class may hold an individual or two who can completely identify with Peter. Through words, or more likely actions, they have effectively denied being a follower of Christ. Despite our lack of faith and strength at times, Jesus will never deny us. If we confess our sins, our failings, He forgives. Just as Peter will have his moment of redemption, being brought back 6

6 to a place in which he could confidently serve, Jesus offers the opportunity of reconciliation in a relationship with Him.