Chapter 18 was difficult to read because I knew what was about to happen! I do love the fact that Jesus tells the high priest and his little friends exactly what they're doing wrong. I guess it's my sinful human nature because I couldn't help but want to do a fist pump when homeboy slaps him in the face and Jesus says something along the lines of, "if I didn't say anything wrong then why did you slap me!?" That was so awesome because he legit called this guy out on the way he was acting. He was responsible for so much and yet Jesus still wasn't intimidated by him or by what he was about to go through. He even went so far as to reprimand Peter when he cut off the guards ear. He said, "Shall I not drink from the cup my father has prepared for me?" Pretty much that meant that he knew God had prepared for this to happen. He wasn't going to fight it, but I believe he wanted to go down with a fight too. He fought til the very last minute to show others that he was love. He was the ultimate sacrifice. He never once tried to stop anything from happening besides when he prayed to his father in the garden of Gethsemane. I cannot imagine knowing that I was about to die for a bunch of ungrateful brats that wouldn't appreciate my death and my sacrifice. If Jesus had known that everyone would accept him, it would have been easier on him to make that sacrifice, but we have free will so that means we can make the choice to accept or deny.
This chapter doesn't give an account of the crucifixion, but it does tell us what is going on in Peter's life. Jesus told Peter that he would deny him. And he was right. Peter, being afraid, denied Jesus when he was asked if he knew him. Now I'm just speculating here so don't take my word for it but I believe that Jesus had a reason for telling Peter before that he would deny him 3 times before it actually took place. 1. I think God was allowing Peter to know that he understood what was going to happen and he wasn't angry. 2. I think he was giving Peter some sort of comfort to know that he was really God's son. How else would he know that he was goog to deny him? I'd definitely like to hear your thoughts on that. Have a great night!
I've never put thought into why jesus would tell Peter he was going to deny him,I agree with what you said though,given the relationship Peter had with Jesus,it's probable jesus wanted to make sure peter knew that Jesus wouldn't be angry.
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