Betrayal and Bravery: Facing a New Year with Christ

Bible Passage: John 18:1–12

John (Literary Context)

This pericope is the first of six pericopae that depicts the events surrounding the sacrificial death of the Son of God. After gathering his disciples and addressing them privately (chs. 13–16), followed by a prayer of consecration to the Father on their behalf (ch. 17), Jesus now embraces fully “the hour” and the reason for which he came (see 2:4). In this scene Jesus voluntarily accepts the bonds of the Jewish authorities and Roman soldiers, knowing full well that the “cup” that he must drink is from the Father (v. 11). This pericope begins the climactic moment of the Gospel, the purpose for which the Father sent the Son into the world. The reader is given dramatic insight into the intentionality of Jesus’s engagement with the world and the nature of his conflict with those opposing him.

John (Main Idea)

Main Idea

Succeeding where Adam failed, Jesus Christ entered into a garden and surrendered himself to the betrayal of the world, not by force but by his self-surrendered will, in order to drink the cup of suffering from the Father for the salvation of the world.

We’re entering a section of the gospel of John where God the Son gets put on trial by both Jewish and Roman systems and is condemned to death. Every gospel writer wants us to know clearly that Jesus was innocent of any wrong doing. It could be that you’ve watched courtroom dramas, Judge Judy or have been part of a jury yourself. We’re conditioned to expect evidence to be presented and for people who are making legal decisions to be unbiased. There are many times we’re reminded that our American judicial system is not perfect, but it has elements of design to eliminate bias against someone, as our system presumes innocence until the burden of proof is met. As you work through the narrative of Jesus’ arrest, trial and condemnation you can read how he was innocent and all the various ways that what occurred was against cultural norm for what was fair and just, like the Jewish trial taking place at night, or how Pilate declared his innocence but ordered his execution to appease the angry mob… we are meant to walk away from this section knowing Jesus was innocent and at the same time knowing that he was not a victim. Jesus went into the Garden of Gethsemane knowing what would happen and he went to disarm the power of sin, death and the devil.

1. Embarking with Confidence

John 18:1–3 ESV

When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons.

In John 13, Jesus met with his disciples in an upper room of a Jerusalem home to celebrate the passover, wash his disciples feet and to teach them about what was about to happen to him in his arrest and crucifixion. After the meal was finished they left the upper room and began to walk outside of the city as Jesus continued to teach and this section ended with Jesus’ prayer for them and for us to be united to Christ by faith, one as a church and to know deeply the love that God has for us (John 14:31). This walk ended with his disciples crossing outside the city walls and into the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus met his betrayer and a band of soldiers looking to arrest him. Jesus knew this would happen and we see this at least 3 ways in our text of scripture.  First, Judas knew where to find Jesus and the disciples (John 18:2). We last saw Judas in John 13 when he was identified to Jesus and just two of the disciples as the betrayer; the larger group of disciples assumed he left to get supplies or to give money to the poor which means that he thoroughly convinced them that he was one of them. Yet, he left to betray Jesus to the high priest and religious leaders. This garden spot was likely the place where Jesus would go each night with his disciples to debrief the teaching and ministry they did during this holy week time in Jerusalem. The religious leaders wanted to arrest Jesus away from a crowd, which is why they sought out Judas to betray him. Jesus knew it would be where Judas would go and if he wanted to he could have hid from Judas.

Jesus doesn’t select this garden as a place to hide but as a place to be found (18:2). He chooses a spot well known to Judas, his betrayer, because the time has come for him to lay down his life. Jesus may look like he’s being hunted, but he’s the one laying an ambush. In chapter 13, when Judas left the upper room to plan his treachery, John ended the account with the sad conclusion, “And it was night” (13:30). Judas left the light of the world to wander in the darkness. Now he returns to Jesus, carrying torches and lanterns (18:3). How tragic to trade the eternal light for a handmade torch.

John Explanation of the Text

As we will soon understand, both gardens saw the production of life and death, but the second reversed the order of the first: the first garden was the place where death was born out of life; the second garden was the place where life was born out of death.

2. Exercising Authority in Adversity

John 18:4–6 ESV

Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

Second, Jesus went into the garden knowing all that would happen to him (John 18:4). Jesus, in his divine nature, knew the road that lay before him. The text tells us that Jesus saw the group sent to arrest him and he initiated the conversation by asking them “whom are you seeking?” This question gets posed to the group twice! When they finally said “Jesus of Nazareth,” Jesus stepped forward and got between his disciples and the danger so that he’d protect them from harm (John 18:9).  Finally, Jesus had the power to defeat this group of soldiers. They came to arrest Jesus with a “band of soldiers” which was roughly 300-600 men and they came armed. When Jesus identified himself as “Jesus of Nazareth” these soldiers drew back and fell down (John 18:6). Though they came in overwhelming force they were intimidated by Jesus and we know from other texts of scripture that he had immeasurable power and could have prevented his arrest if he so chose.

Jesus takes the initiative (v. 4). He leaves the enclosure of the garden to confront this group that’s come to arrest him. He knew they were coming, and he knows what will happen now that they’ve arrived (13:21–26). Nothing is a surprise. Nothing catches him off guard. After walking out of the garden to confront the soldiers, Jesus asks them a question, not to gather information but to reveal who’s really in charge (vv. 5–6). No other Gospel writer records this exchange. John includes it to show us Jesus is not an actor on stage waiting for direction; he’s the one directing every movement. We don’t know what exactly makes the soldiers fall to the ground. The point isn’t how it happens, but why it happens. Their collapse reveals Jesus is not arrested in weakness. This brief encounter affirms his control over the events.

3. Ensuring Protection Amidst Peril

John 18:7-9

Again Jesus issues commands to the soldiers (vv. 7–8). These men who were trained to take orders from their superiors obey the instructions of their captive. They can only do what Jesus allows them to do. Chapter 17 records Jesus’s prayer prior to coming to this garden when he prays specifically for the disciples who remain on earth after his departure (17:1–2). Even here, as he’s being arrested, Jesus cares for his disciples (18:9). He makes certain the soldiers don’t touch them because he’s promised to protect and preserve them.

This raises an interesting issue. In 6:37–39; 10:28; and the prayer of chapter 17, Jesus is focused on the disciples’ eternal destiny. He will preserve them until the final day when they will join him in heaven. Here in chapter 18 he’s simply protecting them from arrest and possible persecution. How does this fulfill the earlier promises of eternal security? Their physical safety illustrates their eternal security. Just as Jesus is in control of every aspect of the physical world—his arrest, betrayal, and crucifixion, including protecting his disciples from persecution—he’s also in control of everything in the spiritual realm, including preserving his disciples until that final day. What a wonderful picture of his love and power! What reassurance to his disciples in the coming difficult days. What hope for us. Just as Jesus protects the disciples on that dark day, he will protect and preserve all who follow him.

4. Embracing God’s Plan

John 18:10-12

Peter's impulsiveness contrasts with Jesus’ calm acceptance of His fate. In reflecting on the New Year, consider how we might rush into situations without understanding God's bigger picture. You could suggest that submitting to God’s will, even when facing betrayal and difficulty, aligns us with Christ’s example of courage and purpose. As we step into another year, let this surrender transform our approach to life's challenges.