p us all to do so were we to believe that
Christ's interest in us is such as this prayer reveals, and that the
great subject of His intercession is, that we be kept from the evil that
is in the world and be helpful in the great and enduring work of
bringing into truer fellowship men's lives and God's goodness. Alongside
of all our profitless labour and unworthiness of aim there runs this
lofty aim of Christ for us; and while we are greedily following after
pleasure, or thoughtlessly throwing ourselves into mere worldliness, our
Lord is praying the Father that we be lifted into harmony with Him and
be used as channels of His grace to others.

XVII.

_THE ARREST._

"When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples
over the brook Kidron, where was a garden, into the which He
entered, Himself and His disciples. Now Judas also, which betrayed
Him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with His
disciples. Judas then, having received the band of soldiers, and
officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, cometh thither
with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all
the things that were coming upon Him, went forth, and saith unto
them, Whom seek ye? They answered Him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus
saith unto them, I am He. And Judas also, which betrayed Him, was
standing with them. When therefore He said unto them, I am He, they
went backward, and fell to the ground. Again therefore He asked
them, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus
answered, I told you that I am He: if therefore ye seek Me, let
these go their way: that the word might be fulfilled which He spake,
Of those whom Thou hast given Me I lost not one. Simon Peter
therefore having a sword drew it, and struck the high priest's
servant, and cut off his right ear. Now the servant's name was
Malchus. Jesus therefore said unto Peter, Put up the sword into the
sheath: the cup which the Father hath given Me, shall I not drink
it? So the band and the chief captain, and the officers of the Jews,
seized Jesus and bound Him, and led Him to Annas first; for he was
father-in-law to Caiaphas, which was high priest that year. Now
Caiaphas was he which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was
expedient that one man should die for the people."--JOHN xviii.
1-14.

Jesus having commended to the Father H