“The Strength of Surrender: Who Are you Looking For?”

Text: John 18:1–11

John 18:1–11 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. 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. So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?

Sermon in a Sentence:

True strength is revealed in surrender to the will of God.

Introduction

Strength is not always seen in resistance. Sometimes, it is most visible in surrender. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus does not flee or fight—He steps forward. He surrenders not out of weakness, but out of divine authority. And in this sacred moment, we don’t just see the Passion—we see the Person of Christ.

He is calm while others are in chaos. He is committed while others are confused. Jesus reveals that the strength of His identity lies not in what He escapes, but in what He embraces.

I. The Setting of Surrender (vv. 1–2)

Jesus goes to the Garden of Gethsemane, a place He often visited with His disciples. It’s a familiar place—a place of prayer. Judas knows the location because he had been there with Jesus before. Yes, Judas committed a dastardly act against His Lord whom he followed for three years, however, Judas was an integral part of God’s plan for Jesus’ life (Zechariah 11:12-13).

“God will use someone close to you to position you for surrender. Judas will teach how to submit, pray and embrace your identity.”

This moment reminds us that betrayal rarely comes from the outside. It comes from those who’ve walked with you, eaten with you, and prayed with you (Psalm 41:9). Judas leads the soldiers straight to Jesus. The place of peace is now the place of pain. But Jesus doesn’t avoid it—He walks right into it. For our salvation, Jesus had to let Judas play his important role in his story. There are some people, specifically that you have to let play their role that pushes you towards your destiny. Judas is just as important to you purpose as he was to Christ’s purpose.

II. The Sovereignty in Surrender (vv. 3–6)

Here comes Judas—with a Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests. That’s a sizable group—potentially hundreds of soldiers, heavily armed, ready to arrest one man. And Jesus, knowing everything that would happen, steps forward and says, “Whom do you seek?”

They answer, “Jesus of Nazareth,” and Jesus replies, “I am He” (Greek: ἐγώ εἰμι – Ego Eimi). And just at the sound of His voice, they draw back and fall to the ground. That’s divine power. That’s the echo of Exodus 3:14—“I AM who I AM.”

Jesus is not captured—He is in control. He doesn’t run. He reveals. And His very identity carries such weight that His enemies can’t even stand in His presence.

“The declaration of who you are will cause your enemies to fall in your presence.”

III. The Submission of Jesus (vv. 7–9)

Jesus repeats the question to reinforce His authority: “Whom do you seek?” When they answer again, He says, “I told you that I am He. So if you seek Me, let these men go.” Even in arrest, He’s protecting His disciples.

“Your surrender maybe the path to someone’s salvation.”

John tells us that this fulfills what Jesus had said earlier—“Of those whom You gave Me, I have lost not one.” This isn’t weakness—it’s leadership. Jesus shields His followers even as He surrenders Himself. He absorbs the attack to preserve the mission.

IV. The Sword and the Cup (vv. 10–11)

Peter, always impulsive, draws a sword and cuts off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s servant. But Jesus stops him immediately: “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?”

The “cup” refers to the suffering that was prophesied—the full weight of judgment and wrath. Jesus isn’t afraid of the cup—He’s ready to drink it. That’s what surrender looks like—not passive defeat, but courageous obedience.

“You will forfeit your purpose when you meet your enemies with the sword instead of a surrender.”

Jesus teaches Peter—and us—that the kingdom doesn’t come by violence, but by sacrifice. The battle is not won with blades, but with blood. And the true power of the cross lies in the choice to endure it. Jesus did say in Matthew 11:12:

Matthew 11:12 ESV

From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.

Yes, the kingdom does suffer violence, but there are season where God wants your practice non-violence. Just because the kingdom is suffering violence, it does mean that you have to be violent. “The strongest type of surrender is your ability to choose peace when others choose violence.”

Conclusion

The Person of Jesus Christ in this moment is not a tragic figure—He is a triumphant Savior. He doesn’t run. He reveals. He doesn’t hide. He heals. And He doesn’t retaliate. He redeems.

So if you’ve ever wondered where your strength comes from—look at Jesus. Not at His crown of glory, but at His willingness to wear a crown of thorns. Not just in His resurrection, but in His resolve.

Call to Action

What is God asking you to surrender? What cup has He placed before you? Don’t draw your sword when God is calling you to submit. Don’t fight the will of God when He’s asking you to walk into it.

Because in Christ, surrender is not the end—it’s the beginning of resurrection. Let the church say, Amen.