Lesson 2692

(Lesson 2692)(05-07-19) John 18:1-9
    “When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. 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: That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.”

   In today’s quote, although there is no significant doctrinal differences among the four accounts of Jesus’ ministry, John’s account of the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus contains many variances from the accounts of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
    According to some scientists, archeologists and so-called bible scholars, John’s account of events occuring during the ministry of Jesus, was written from sixty to seventy years after the death of Jesus; Whereas, the accounts contributed to Matthew and Luke were written approximately forty to fifty years after Jesus’ death and Mark’s account is said to have been written around thirty years after Christ’s death. Making Mark’s account notably closer to the actual events. By some logic, that would make Mark’s account the probably more specifically accurate of the four accounts since after only thirty years remembrance would have still been reasonably fresh.
    There are, however, those who contend that all four of the accounts were written much closer to the life of Jesus and then simply copied by other writers at the above mentioned later dates.
    To those of us who believe in Jesus and all He stood for, those minor differences are not a problem and can be sorted out, defined and better understood through prayful study of all four accounts, in context, and with the help of the Holy Spirit.
    It is my prayer that every serious bible student take the time and prayerfully evaluate every letter of God’s divine word.~