The document discusses faith in Jesus Christ based on what is revealed about his character, motives, and abilities in the Gospel of John. It summarizes Jesus' interaction with soldiers in the Garden of Gethesemane, where he willingly surrendered himself while ensuring the safety of his disciples. Jesus' actions reveal his self-sacrificing nature and desire to save others. The document encourages committing one's entire life to Jesus' keeping, as he is able to faithfully keep everything entrusted to him.

1. Faith in Christ Jesus:
2 Timothy 1:12 defines FAITH as knowing the
trustworthy character and motives of Jesus, and
being confident in His limitless promise-keeping
ability, and consequently committing yourself entirely
to His keeping. We are studying the Gospel of John,
answering these questions: 1) What is revealed of
Jesus’ character, motives, and abilities? 2) What is indicated
that you could confidently commit to Jesus’?
GETHSEMANE!
John 18:1-11
“The Oil Press” was a small enclosed garden of
fruit trees and flowering shrubs, a quiet summer
retreat to which Jesus often resorted. We are
reminded of the First Garden and the First Adam
and the First sin that condemned humanity, but now
the Second Adam has come to a garden, to bear the
penalty of the First. (Romans 5:14-21) Here, the other
three Gospel Writers record Jesus' anguish, bloody
sweat, and submission to the tortures ahead of Him.
But John has a different purpose.
John 20:30-31, “And many other signs truly did Jesus in
the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book.
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the
Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye might have life
through his name.”
Judas, who had already “sold” Jesus to His
enemies, now came to capture and deliver Jesus to
them. Jesus went forward to meet them, asking,
“Whom seek ye?” They responded, “Jesus of
Nazareth.” Jesus declared, “I Am (he).” I cannot tell
why the band of soldiers were thrown backwards to
the ground by these words, unless it has to do with
who Jesus actually is.
“Before Abraham was, I Am.” John 8:58
John 6:35, 41, 48, 51 “I Am that bread of life.”
These statements, and several others spoken by
Jesus, clearly pointed back to Moses' first meeting
with God, when God introduced Himself by the
name: “I AM”. Exodus 3:13-14.
After that, Jesus gave himself over to them. My
paraphrase, “If it's me you want, take me. But let
these others go free.” At that moment, Peter drew a
sword and took a swing at a man's head, who
ducked just enough to only lose an ear! Jesus
healed his enemy's wound! Luke 22:50-51. This also
reveals who Jesus actually is.
The last words Jesus spoke in the Garden of
Gethsemane were about what to do with a sword
and what to do with a cup! First, consider the sword.
James 1:20, The wrath of man worketh not the righteousness
of God. ...and Romans 12:19.
Next, consider the cup. Elsewhere in the Bible the
CUP of God's FURY against human transgression is
spoken of. It is bitter of taste and grainy dregs of
texture, repulsive and poisonous. Isaiah 51:22. Yet
another cup is mentioned. The CUP of God's
SALVATION. Psalm 116:13, Psalm 23:5. May I say that
Jesus took the first cup for Himself, so that He could
give us the second cup!
You have now “met” the Jesus of the Bible. Are
you now ready to trust Him, and commit yourself into
His keeping?
GETHSEMANE!
John 18:1-11
READ John 18:1-2
Why might Jesus be often resorting to the garden
with his disciples?
What does that say about the kind of person Jesus
is?
READ John 18:3-4.
Why did Jesus go out to meet this band of soldiers,
ahead of his disciples?
What does that tell you about Jesus?
READ John 18:5-6
What happened to the soldiers when Jesus
identified himself?
Why did that NOT happen to the disciples?
What does that tell you about Jesus?
READ John 18:7-9
Why did Jesus give himself up and tell the guards
to let his disciples go free?
What kind of person is Jesus?
READ John 18:10-11
What was Peter willing to do, and tried to do?
What did Jesus do?
What did Jesus say?
What does that tell you about Jesus?

2. 2 Timothy 1:12
For the which cause I also suffer these things:
nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I
have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to
keep that which I have committed unto him
against that day.
Are you ready to commit your life,
hopes, desires, dreams, hurts,
disappointments, and failures into
Jesus care. He builds the first and
heals the last!