João 18
G. Campbell Morgan · Citado em PreceptAustin
João 18
Morgan explains. WALK WITH G. CAMPBELL MORGAN “There and then a remarkable thing happened, which was a supreme evidence of his majesty. “He faced the soldiers and said, ‘Who is it you want?’ They replied, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ “He then said, ‘I am.’ Our versions render it ‘I am he.’ Quite literally he simply said, ‘I am.’ “When he did so, a cohort of Roman soldiers, the temple police, the rulers themselves, and Judas guiding them, drew back and fell to the ground. “I think that something in the bearing of Jesus as he stood confronting his enemies caused their shrinking and fall. They could not lay a hand on him. “Right to the very end he revealed the fact that no man could lay hands upon him until his hour was come. “ ‘I am,’ he said, and they drew back and fell. Thus the majesty of Jesus was revealed.” WALK CLOSER TO GOD Sovereign. It’s a big word to describe a majestic God. The God who knows the end from the beginning. Human perception could see only tragedy in Gethsemane. Yet the plan of God was unfolding in all its perfection. The soldiers came to Jesus to arrest him. Instead, his “I am” drove them to fall on their faces. Let the thought of his “I am” cause you to fall before him as well. John 18:7 Therefore He again asked them, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” Nazarene: Jn 18:5, Jn 19:18 SAME QUESTION SAME ANSWER Therefore He again asked them, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” - One can imagine they were a bit hesitant to answer again after their initial answer brought an "I Am" power encounter! The fact that they have to ask again suggests that they do not know the Lord which makes sense for men without Christ do not know the Lord (cf 2Co 4:3-4). Do they return again to the fray? Having once felt Christ’s divine power, do they summon courage enough to attack him again? Yes, for there is no limit to the malice and impudence of the human heart. QUESTION - Why is Jesus often referred to as Jesus of Nazareth? | GotQuestions ... ANSWER - Jesus was referred to as “Jesus of Nazareth” for several reasons. For one thing, in Bible times people were often identified by their native area or place of residence. The man who carried Jesus’ cross when He was no longer able to, for example, was called Simon of Cyrene, noting his name and his place of residence (Luke 23:26). This distinguishes him from all other Simons and from all other residents of Cyrene who were not named Simon. Although Bethlehem was the place of Jesus’ birth, Nazareth was the place where Jesus had lived until He began His public ministry, and therefore He is said to be “of Nazareth.” Matthew 2:23 tells us that Joseph settled his family in Nazareth—after returning from Egypt where he had fled to protect Jesus from Herod—in order to fulfill “what was said through the prophets: ‘He will be called a Nazarene.’” The words here are not found in any of the books of the Old Testament, and there has been much difficulty in ascertaining the meaning of this passage. Most commentators agree that the prophecies respecting the coming Messiah were that He was to be of humble origin and would be despised and rejected (Isaiah 53; Psalm 22) and that the phrase “he shall be called” means the same as “He shall be.” When Matthew says, therefore, that the prophecies were “fulfilled,” his meaning is that the predictions of the prophets that the Messiah would be of a low and despised condition and would be rejected, were fully accomplished in His being an inhabitant of Nazareth. The phrase “Jesus of Nazareth” is first used in the Bible by Phillip who, after being called by Jesus to follow Him, told Nathanael, "We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph" (John 1:45). By calling Him Jesus of Nazareth, Phillip may also have been making a statement about the lowliness of His birth. The character of the people of Nazareth was such that they were despised and condemned. Nathanael’s response, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46) would seem to indicate such. To come from Nazareth, therefore, or to be a Nazarene, was the same as to be despised, or to be esteemed of low birth. The Messiah who would come to save His people would be “a root out of dry ground, having no form or comeliness” (Isaiah 53:2). He would be “despised and rejected of men” from whom men hid their faces and “esteemed him not” (Isaiah 53:3). Jesus of Nazareth was born and grew up in humble circumstances, but His impact on the world has been greater than anyone ever born before or since. He came to “save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21), a feat that could be accomplished by none other than God incarnate. Related Resource: What prophecy is Matthew 2:23 referring to regarding Jesus being a Nazarene? John 18:8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way,” if you seek Me: Isa 53:6 Eph 5:25 let these go their way: John 10:28 13:1,36 16:32 Mt 26:56 Mk 14:50-52 1Co 10:13 2Co 12:9 1Pe 5:7 Related Passages: Matthew 26:31+ Then Jesus *said to them, “You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, ‘I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED.’ John 16:32+ “Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. Betrayed By A Kiss - Mt 26:48-49 ONE LAST "EGO EIMI" Jesus (Iesous) answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you seek (zeteo) Me, let (aphiemi) these go their way (hupago) - If you seek (zeteo) Me is a first class condition which assumes this is true and could be translated "Since you seek Me." Jesus then issues a command (aorist imperative - Do this now!) to let the eleven go. This is not a suggestion but an authoritative command. Go their way (hupago) in the sense of to go away unimpeded, without being arrested. The fact that they had just experienced Jesus' power certainly would have predisposed the arresting party to be willing to hear and heed His command to let the disciples go, for fear of what might happen if they disobeyed! It is interesting that John does not describe his or the other 10 disciples departure, but clearly that event transpired (after the ear episode with Peter). The preservation of the 11 fulfilled His earlier words... John 6:39+ “This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. John 17:12+ “While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished (NOTE THE CERTAINTY JESUS EXPRESSES BECAUSE THIS IS STATED IN PAST TENSE BEFORE THE ACTUAL ARREST). but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled. Letting the eleven go would fulfill the prophecy from Zech 13:7+ which says “Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, And against the man, My Associate,” Declares the LORD of hosts. “Strike the Shepherd that the sheep may be scattered; And I will turn My hand against the little ones." NET NOTE - A second time Jesus replied, “I told you that I am he,” identifying Himself as the one they are seeking. Jesus also added, “If you are looking for me, let these men go.” Jesus successfully diverted attention from his disciples by getting the soldiers and officers of the chief priests to admit (twice) that it is only Him they were after. Even in this hour Jesus still protected and cared for his own, giving himself up on their behalf. By handing himself over to his enemies, Jesus ensured that his disciples went free. From the perspective of the author, this is acting out beforehand what Jesus will actually do for his followers when he goes to the cross. Spurgeon Study Bible - ‘So if you’re looking for me, let these men go.’ This was to fulfill the words he had said: ‘I have not lost one of those you have given me.’ ” After the words “to fulfill,” we naturally expect some Old Testament text—something said by David in the Psalms or by one of the prophets—but it is “to fulfill the words he had said.” It was but an hour or two since Jesus uttered this sentence, but it is already among the inspired Scriptures, and it had begun to take effect and to be fulfilled at once. It is not the age of God’s Word but the truth of it that constitutes its power. What Christ had said that night in prayer was as true and as much the Word of the King as what God had spoken by his Spirit through holy men ages before. It is very cheering to us to think of our Lord meeting all the enemies of his people, gathering up all their weapons into his own heart that his people might go free. You and I, if we had been in such a case, would have been hurried and worried, and our fears would have made us selfish. We should have forgotten our poor friends who were with us; but Jesus thought not of himself, he thought of his poor trembling disciples, and therefore he said, “If therefore ye seek me, let these go their way.” C H
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Morgan - The cup which the Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it!—John 18.11These words were spoken to Peter, in the moment when in love for his Master, and in mistaken zeal, he had struck a blow in order to attempt to deliver Him from the hands of His enemies. They are revealing words. They show us how the one dominant passion of all our Lord's life was still triumphant as He passed to death. He had but one passion, and that was to do His Father's will. The other Evangelists tell us how the question of this cup had just been raised in communion with His Father, and always under the constraint of that same master-passion. That hour of inquiry was over. The cup had been given Him to drink. Therefore there was no further question. In the form of the statement we discover His perfect rest; the cup had been given Him by His Father, by the One Who loved Him, by the One Who confided in Him. Therefore there could be no further question. The question raised and settled in communion could not be raised in any other form, or with any other beings. And once more, we see how the highest love, the love of God, must ever qualify, and often cancel, the suggestions made by other loves, however loyal and well-intentioned they may be. The love of God is always wise. The loves of men are often unintelligent. Of course, in our Lord we see all these things superlatively, but there are pro-found values in them for us, to which we do well to take heed. (BORROW Life applications from every chapter of the Bible PAGE 324) John 18:12 So the Roman cohort and the commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him, Roman cohort: John 18:3 Mt 26:57 Mk 14:53 Lu 22:54 the commander: Ac 21:31,37 22:24-28 23:10,17-22 bound: Ge 22:9 40:3 Judges 16:21 Ps 118:27 Mt 27:2 Mk 15:1 James Stalker's classic Trial and Arrest of Jesus Christ - 2. THE ECCLESIASTICAL TRIAL Matt. 26:57–68; Mark 14:51–65; Luke 22:54–71; John 18:12–14, 19–24. Related Passages: Matthew 26:56-57 But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets.” Then all the disciples left Him and fled. 57 Those who had seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. John 16:32 “Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. Matthew 27:2 and they bound Him, and led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate the governor. Mark 14:53 They led Jesus away to the high priest; and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes *gathered together. Mark 15:1 Early in the morning the chief priests with the elders and scribes and the whole Council, immediately held a consultation; and binding Jesus, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate. Luke 22:54 Having arrested Him, they led Him away and brought Him to the house of the high priest; but Peter was following at a distance. JESUS ARRESTED AND BOUND So the Roman cohort and the commander (chiliarchos) and the officers of the Jews (Ioudaios), arrested (sullambano) Jesus (Iesous) and bound (deo) Him - There was a concerted effort between the Romans and Jews in Jesus' arrest. Jews refers to the antagonistic Jewish leaders who "tasted blood" and wanted Jesus' life! John
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Morgan - Gregory the Great Borrow On this Day page 261 “My kingdom doesn’t belong to this world. … I was born into this world to tell about the truth. And everyone who belongs to the truth knows my voice.” John 18:36 None of us are all good, and few of us are all bad. We often struggle with decisions, sometimes finding our well-intended efforts producing unfortunate results. Thus with Gregory. Born in Rome about 500 years after Christ, his family provided wealth and rank, and he became mayor of Rome at 33. After his father’s death, Gregory gave his inheritance to the church and the poor, turned his mansion into a monastery, and became a monk. He was consecrated as Pope Gregory I on September 3, 590, and did much good. He had been burdened for the evangelization of England since seeing blond, blue-eyed British boys being sold in the Roman slave markets. “They are Anglos,” he reportedly said. “Let them become angels.” He sent Augustin to evangelize the British Isles. Gregory also appointed wise and competent men as church leaders, and he fought apostasy. He encouraged the Visigoths to turn from heresy to orthodox doctrine. He wrote evangelistic tracts to barbarian tribes, and upheld biblical morality. He prepared a training manual for clergy. He wrote liturgy and popularized the Gregorian chant. But Gregory also established the dogmas of purgatory and the Mass. He encouraged the worship of relics (the remains of deceased Christians), and popularized unlikely legends about the saints. He glorified the past and held tradition equal with Scripture. He drew wild, allegorical lessons from the pages of the Bible. And he claimed universal jurisdiction over Christendom. With Western Europe in chaos and the Roman Empire shattered, Gregory assumed broad civil control. He ruled most of Italy. He raised an army and defeated the Lombards. He negotiated treaties to avoid Rome’s destruction. He ransomed captured individuals. He collected taxes and supplied food and services to the poor. He, in effect, turned the church into the state. In so doing, Gregory became the father of the medieval papacy—with all the good and bad that that entailed. (ED: IN SO DOING HE CLEARLY MISSED JESUS' INTENT THAT HIS KINGDOM WAS NOT OF THIS WORLD!) Oswald Chambers - Aspect of Social Authority (John 18:36) (BORROW Approved Unto God PAGE 18) Christianity is in its essence social. When once we begin to live from the otherworldly standpoint, as Jesus Christ wants us to live, we shall need all the fellowship with other Christians we can get. Some of us can do without Church fellowship because we are not Christians of the otherworldly order. Immediately a man dares to live on Jesus Christ’s line, the world, the flesh and the devil are dead against him in every particular. “The only virtue you will have in the eyes of the world as My disciples,” says Jesus, “is that you will be hated.” That is why we need to be knit together with those of like faith; and that is the meaning of the Christian Church. In the old days the ecclesiastics used to dictate, now they are ignored, and instead we have a society of men as they are. In the present day we have to face a brotherhood of men apart from Jesus Christ. If a man stands on the present system of civilisation as one of the general brotherhood of men, and yet proclaims a different brotherhood, that of the disciples of Jesus Christ, John 16:2 will be the result, “they shall put you out of the synagogues.” According to Jesus Christ, Christianity is a society based on the brotherhood of men who have been lifted into a right relationship with God by regeneration. “My kingdom is not of this world,” said Jesus, and yet we are more inclined to take our orders from the world than from Jesus Christ. Max Lucado - JOHN 18:36 (BORROW Grace for the Moment page 24) Unhappiness on earth cultivates a hunger for heaven. By gracing us with a deep dissatisfaction, God holds our attention. The only tragedy, then, is to be satisfied prematurely. To settle for earth. To be content in a strange land.… We are not happy here because we are not at home here. We are not happy here because we are not supposed to be happy here. We are “like foreigners and strangers in this world” (1 Pet. 2:11).… And you will never be completely happy on earth simply because you were not made for earth. Oh, you will have your moments of joy. You will catch glimpses of light. You will know moments or even days of peace. But they simply do not compare with the happiness that lies ahead. Billy Graham - Ruling in Your Heart John 18:36 and Lk 17:21 Too many people think God is to be found by looking within their own minds and souls, and they often cite these words of Jesus in support of their claim. Jesus, however, wasn’t teaching that God is within us and that all we need to do is look inward to find God. Instead, Jesus was talking to people who believed that the Messiah would establish an Earthly, political kingdom—and Jesus said that wasn’t His goal. “My kingdom is not of this world,” Jesus told Pilate (John 18:36). His goal instead was to rule in the hearts of men and women. And that is exactly what happens when we give our life to Christ. When we turn to Him in repentance and faith, He cleanses us of our sins, and He comes to live within us by His Holy Spirit. Once that happens, He begins to rule in our lives. In other words, He sets up His Kingdom—His rule—within us. More and more each day, may your life clearly reflect the Christ’s kingship over every area of your life! A W Tozer - Child of Two Worlds (BORROW Mornings with Tozer page 324) Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world. (John 18:36) In the kingdom of God, the surest way to lose something is to try to protect it, and the best way to keep it is to let it go. This was the word of our Lord Jesus Christ: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross!” Christ turned from the fallen world of Adam and spoke about another world altogether, a world where Adam’s philosophy is invalid and his technique inoperative. He spoke of the kingdom of God whose laws are exactly opposite to those of the kingdom of men. So, the true Christian is a child of two worlds. He lives among fallen men, but when he is regenerated, he is called to live according to the laws and principles that underlie the new kingdom. He may, then, find himself trying to live a heavenly life after an earthly pattern—and this is what Paul called “carnal” living. That is why it is vitally important to move up into the life of the Spirit of God. Give up your earthly “treasures” and the Lord will keep them for you unto life eternal! Oswald Chambers - The Unheeded Secret - Borrow My Utmost of His Highest page 310 My kingdom is not of this world. John 18:36. The great enemy to the Lord Jesus Christ in the present day is the conception of practical work that has not come from the New Testament, but from the systems of the world in which endless energy and activities are insisted upon, but no private life with God. The emphasis is put on the wrong thing. Jesus said, “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation; … for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you,” a hidden, obscure thing. An active Christian worker too often lives in the shop window. It is the innermost of the innermost that reveals the power of the life. We have to get rid of the plague of the spirit of the religious age in which we live. In Our Lord’s life there was none of the press and rush of tremendous activity that we regard so highly, and the disciple is to be as his Master. The central thing about the kingdom of Jesus Christ is a personal relationship to Himself, not public usefulness to men. It is not its practical activities that are the strength of this Bible Training College, its whole strength lies in the fact that here you are put into soak before God. You have no idea of where God is going to engineer your circumstances, no knowledge of what strain is going to be put on you either at home or abroad, and if you waste your time in over-active energies instead of getting into soak on the great fundamental truths of God’s Redemption, you will snap when the strain comes; but if this time of soaking before God is being spent in getting rooted and grounded in God on the un-practical line, you will remain true to Him whatever happens. (See also Oswald Chambers, Abandoned to God) N D Hillis - Facts of the Matter: Daily Devotionals Two Kingdoms GOD’S - John 18:36 SATAN’s - John 8:44; Matthew 4:8 One represents the spiritual, the other the material. TWO CHOICES: Between the eternal, and the temporal One choice offers a life of peace and purpose. The other choice leads to a life of self-centeredness and emptiness. Actually, you and I have already made our choice: “I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:19) “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” (Matthew 6:24) Indecision is not an option: “The person who vacillates [between faith and unbelief] is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; for let not that individual be supposing that he will receive anything from the … Lord, [being] a dubious, undecided man, vacillating in all his ways.” (James 1:6b–9—Wuest Translation) Actually, you and I have already made our choice—either by: Design, or Default TWO CONSEQUENCES: Eternal life leading to heaven, or eternal death leading to hell. In making decisions of a spiritual nature, the battlefield is not the intellect, but the will. H A