New Testament
Lesson 26
“To This End Was I Born”
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Lesson Highlights * Jesus is betrayed, arrested, and accused of blasphemy; Peter denies Jesus three times. * Jesus is sentenced to be crucified. * Jesus is scourged and crucified. A study of this lesson will help us feel the Savior’s love and increase our love for him and our gratitude for his atoning sacrifice. “To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the dtruth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. John 18:37
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Betrayal & Arrest In concluding his narration of the events in Gethsemane, Elder James E. Talmage says: "The further tragedy of the night, and the cruel inflictions that awaited Him on the morrow, to culminate in the frightful tortures of the cross, could not exceed the bitter anguish through which He had successfully passed." (Jesus The Christ, p614) "Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. (Matthew 26:45) Elder Talmage gives a description of the approaching arrest party: "During the period of the Lord's last and most loving communion with the Eleven, Judas had been busy in his treacherous conspiracy with the priestly authorities. It is probable that the determination to make the arrest that night was reached when Judas reported that Jesus was within the city walls and might easily be apprehended. The Jewish rulers assembled a body of temple guardsmen or police, and obtained a band of Roman soldiers under command of a tribune; ... This company of men and officers representing a combination of ecclesiastical and military authority, set forth in the night with Judas at their head, intent on the arrest of Jesus. They were equipped with lanterns, torches, and weapons. It is probable that they were first conducted to the house in which Judas had left his fellow apostles and the Lord, when the traitor had been dismissed; and that finding the little company had gone out, Judas led the multitude to Gethsemane, for he knew the place, and knew also that 'Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples'." (Jesus The Christ, pp614-615) READ MATTHEW 26:46-50. Jesus betrayed.
46Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
47¶And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. 49And aforthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. 50And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
John records: "Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way." (John 18:7-8) Elder Talmage: "It is possible that had any of the Eleven been apprehended with Jesus and made to share the cruel abuse and torturing humiliation of the next few hours, their faith might have failed them, relatively immature and untried as it then was; even as in succeeding years many who took upon themselves the name of Christ yielded to persecution and went into apostasy." (Jesus The Christ, p616) HOW DID PETER RESPOND TO THE BAND OF MEN THAT CAME TO THE GARDEN? HOW DID JESUS?
READ MATTHEW 26:51-53 & JOHN 18:11 51And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a aservant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. 52Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take
