The Arraignment of Christ MEMORY VERSE: “Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?” (John 18:11).
Suggested Reading:
Early Writings, pp. 165–168.
“The awful moment had come—that moment which was to decide the destiny of the world.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 690.
1. A SOLEMN MOMENT Sun, Sep 14
a. When Jesus finished His intercessory prayer, where did He go with His disciples, and for what purpose? John 18:1; Matthew 26:36.b. In appealing to three disciples to accompany Him, what request did the Lord make, and why? Mark 14:33, 34.“It was [Satan’s] purpose to swell iniquity to such great proportions, that it would make atonement seem impossible, so that the Son of God, who sought to save a lost world, should be crushed beneath the curse of sin. The working of the vigilant foe in presenting to Christ the vast proportions of transgression, caused such poignant pain that He felt that He could not remain in the immediate presence of any human being. He could not bear that even His disciples should witness His agony as He contemplated the woe of the world. Even His most dearly loved friends must not be in His companionship. The sword of justice was unsheathed, and the wrath of God against iniquity rested upon man’s substitute, Jesus Christ, the only begotten of the Father.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 5, pp. 1102, 1103.
2. DEEP ANGUISH Mon, Sep 15
a. What is the essence of Christ’s first prayer in Gethsemane? Mark 14:35, 36.“Christ was now standing in a different attitude from that in which He had ever stood before. His suffering can best be described in the words of the prophet, ‘Awake, O sword, against My shepherd, and against the man that is My fellow, saith the Lord of hosts.’ Zechariah 13:7. As the substitute and surety for sinful man, Christ was suffering under divine justice. He saw what justice meant. Hitherto He had been as an intercessor for others; now He longed to have an intercessor for Himself.“As Christ felt His unity with the Father broken up, He feared that in His human nature He would be unable to endure the coming conflict with the powers of darkness. In the wilderness of temptation the destiny of the human race had been at stake. Christ was then conqueror. Now the tempter had come for the last fearful struggle. For this he had been preparing during the three years of Christ’s ministry. Everything was at stake with him. If he failed here, his hope of mastery was lost; the kingdoms of the world would finally become Christ’s; he himself would be overthrown and cast out. But if Christ could be overcome, the earth would become Satan’s kingdom, and the human race would be forever in his power. With the issues of the conflict before Him, Christ’s soul was filled with dread of separation from God.”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 686, 687.b. Returning from His agonizing prayer, in what state did Jesus find His disciples? What reproof did He give them? Mark 14:37, 38.“Rising with painful effort, He staggered to the place where He had left His companions. But He ‘findeth them asleep.’ Had He found them praying, He would have been relieved. Had they been seeking refuge in God, that satanic agencies might not prevail over them, He would have been comforted by their steadfast faith. But they had not heeded the repeated warning, ‘Watch and pray.’ At first they had been much troubled to see their Master, usually so calm and dignified, wrestling with a sorrow that was beyond comprehension. They had prayed as they heard the strong cries of the sufferer. They did not intend to forsake their Lord, but they seemed paralyzed by a stupor which they might have shaken off if they had continued pleading with God. They did not realize the necessity of watchfulness and earnest prayer in order to withstand temptation.”—Ibid., p. 688.
3. DEEP ANGUISH (CONTINUED) Tue, Sep 16
a. What was Christ’s second prayer, and what were the disciples doing? Matthew 26:42, 43. What prophecy was then fulfilled? Isaiah 52:14.“A short time before, Jesus had stood like a mighty cedar, withstanding the storm of opposition that spent its fury upon Him. Stubborn wills, and hearts filled with malice and subtlety, had striven in vain to confuse and overpower Him. He stood forth in divine majesty as the Son of God. Now He was like a reed beaten and bent by the angry storm. He had approached the consummation of His work a conqueror, having at each step gained the victory over the powers of darkness. As one already glorified, He had claimed oneness with God. In unfaltering accents He had poured out His songs of praise. He had spoken to His disciples in words of courage and tenderness. Now had come the hour of the power of darkness. Now His voice was heard on the still evening air, not in tones of triumph, but full of human anguish.”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 689, 690.b. How was the Son of God comforted during that critical hour? Luke 22:43. With what words had Isaiah prophesied of Christ’s anguish and consolation? Isaiah 53:11.“In this awful crisis, when everything was at stake, when the mysterious cup trembled in the hand of the sufferer, the heavens opened, a light shone forth amid the stormy darkness of the crisis hour, and the mighty angel who stands in God’s presence, occupying the position from which Satan fell, came to the side of Christ. The angel came not to take the cup from Christ’s hand, but to strengthen Him to drink it, with the assurance of the Father’s love. He came to give power to the divine-human suppliant. He pointed Him to the open heavens, telling Him of the souls that would be saved as the result of His sufferings. He assured Him that His Father is greater and more powerful than Satan, that His death would result in the utter discomfiture of Satan, and that the kingdom of this world would be given to the saints of the Most High. He told Him that He would see of the travail of His soul, and be satisfied, for He would see a multitude of the human race saved, eternally saved.”—Ibid., pp. 693, 694.
4. JESUS ARRESTED Wed, Sep 17
a. Who led the group that arrested Jesus? John 18:2–5.b. What happened to the angry mob when Jesus identified Himself to them? John 18:6.“No traces of His recent agony were visible as Jesus stepped forth to meet His betrayer. Standing in advance of His disciples He said, ‘Whom seek ye?’ They answered, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus replied, ‘I am He.’ As these words were spoken, the angel who had lately ministered to Jesus moved between Him and the mob. A divine light illuminated the Saviour’s face, and a dovelike form overshadowed Him. In the presence of this divine glory, the murderous throng could not stand for a moment. They staggered back. Priests, elders, soldiers, and even Judas, fell as dead men to the ground.“The angel withdrew, and the light faded away. Jesus had opportunity to escape, but He remained, calm and self-possessed. As one glorified He stood in the midst of that hardened band, now prostrate and helpless at His feet. The disciples looked on, silent with wonder and awe.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 694.c. How was the treachery of Judas to affect the mob—and the meekness of Jesus to be misinterpreted by Peter? John 18:7–10; Luke 22:47–50.“The mob grew bold as they saw Judas touch the person of Him who had so recently been glorified before their eyes. They now laid hold of Jesus, and proceeded to bind those precious hands that had ever been employed in doing good.“The disciples had thought that their Master would not suffer Himself to be taken. For the same power that had caused the mob to fall as dead men could keep them helpless, until Jesus and His companions should escape. They were disappointed and indignant as they saw the cords brought forward to bind the hands of Him whom they loved. Peter in his anger rashly drew his sword and tried to defend his Master, but he only cut off an ear of the high priest’s servant.”—Ibid., p. 696.
5. TREADING THE WINEPRESS ALONE Thu, Sep 18
a. Describe the patient love manifested by Jesus at the moment of His arrest. Matthew 26:51–53; Luke 22:50, 51. How did Heaven view it?“The disciples began to hope as they saw the multitude with their staves and swords fall so quickly. As they arose and again surrounded the Son of God, Peter drew his sword and smote a servant of the high priest and cut off an ear. Jesus bade him to put up the sword, saying, ‘Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He shall presently give Me more than twelve legions of angels?’ I saw that as these words were spoken, the countenances of the angels were animated with hope. They wished then and there to surround their Commander and disperse that angry mob. . . . The hearts of the disciples also sank in despair and bitter disappointment, as Jesus suffered Himself to be led away by His enemies.“The disciples feared for their own lives, and they all forsook Him and fled. Jesus was left alone in the hands of the murderous mob. Oh, what a triumph of Satan then! And what sadness and sorrow with the angels of God! Many companies of holy angels, each with a tall commanding angel at their head, were sent to witness the scene. They were to record every insult and cruelty imposed upon the Son of God, and to register every pang of anguish which Jesus should suffer; for the very men who joined in this dreadful scene are to see it all again in living characters.”—Early Writings, pp. 167, 168.b. What must all who profess Christ learn from the Lord’s admonition to Peter? John 18:11; 1 John 3:15.
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS Fri, Sep 19
1. What appeal of Christ to the disciples is especially valid for me?2. How should the Lord’s experience in Gethsemane affect me?3. How can I avoid the type of reaction shown by Peter at Jesus’ arrest?4. What was the principal cause of Christ’s anguish?5. How did the multitude react before the angelic glory?