Introduction

• In the last lesson, we learned about what the bread and wine in communion represents. What does the bread represent? (Jesus’ body.) What does the wine represent? (Jesus’ blood.)
• Today, we will learn about what was most important to Jesus while he was here on earth: doing his Father’s will.

Bible Story

After the Last Supper, Jesus went with his disciples to a garden called Gethsemane where he prayed. But the disciples fell asleep. Jesus wanted to do what God, his Father, wanted. So, he prayed.
“My Father,” Jesus prayed. “If it is possible, do not make me suffer. But do what you want and not what I want.”
While in the garden, Judas, the disciple who had agreed to betray Jesus, arrived with a crowd of people who had swords and clubs. The men arrested Jesus.
One of Jesus’ followers pulled out a sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
“Put your sword away,” Jesus said to him. He touched the man’s ear and healed him. Then, Jesus went with the men willingly. But his disciples ran away.
The men took Jesus to the house of the high priest. Many leaders were gathered there. Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples, followed to see what was going to happen.
The leaders wanted Jesus killed, but Jesus did not say anything until the high priest asked him a specific question.
“God is watching. So, you must tell the truth,” the high priest said. “Are you the Messiah? Are you the Son of God?”
“That is who you say I am,” Jesus replied.
“He claims to be God!” the high priest said.
“He deserves to die!” the others said. Then, they spit in Jesus’ face and beat him.
While Peter was sitting outside, a servant girl came up to him.
“You were with Jesus from Galilee,” she said.
“You do not know what you are talking about!” Peter replied.
Peter walked away. Then, another servant girl saw him.
“This man was with Jesus!” she said. But again, Peter denied it.
A little later, another group of people walked over to Peter.
“We know you,” they said. “You follow Jesus!”
“I do not know that man!” Peter replied. Right then, a rooster crowed, and Peter remembered that Jesus had said he would deny him three times. Then, Peter went away and cried.

Review

Peter denied even knowing Jesus because he was worried about what might happen. But Jesus, who knew he would suffer and die, also knew what was most important. There is nothing Jesus cannot do. But he did not resist arrest. He willingly went with those who arrested him. He did this because he loved us and wanted to do his Father’s will.

1. How did Jesus show his desire to do his Father’s will? (Jesus prayed to the Father. Jesus allowed himself to be arrested. Jesus willingly accepted the suffering that was part of the Father’s plan.)
2. Jesus willingly accepted suffering to pay the price for our sins. What does this tell you about Jesus’ love for us? (Jesus loves us greatly and deeply.)

Prayer

Dear God,
Help me to remember that you will always work for my good, even during hard times. Amen.