John 18:1-11

Jesus is Faithful

English Standard Version Chapter 18

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. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3 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.

State:

Jesus going to the garden to pray with his disciples

English Standard Version Chapter 18

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.

First off, we see John setting the scene for us. Jesus has recently had his final supper with his disciples, he has been speaking with them, he has prayed for them, and now that it is getting late, they decide to move locations.

It’s interesting to see where they go next. We’re told that they cross a brook called Kidron and they come into a garden. Thanks to the details of the other gospel accounts, we know that they are on Mount Olivet and in the Garden of Gethsemane. You might remember that this is the place where Jesus prays for a long time with his disciples in agonizing fashion. This is where Jesus would sweat great drops of blood during his prayer as he said to his heavenly Father, saying, “if at all possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not my will, but your will be done.”

This close to his crucifixion, John takes the opportunity on several occasions to make sure we understand that the setting of these final moments take place in a garden. I believe that John intends for us to have the garden of Eden in mind, and what happened when our first parents were tempted in that garden. And I find it significant that while our first parents fled from the presence of God in that garden, Jesus seeks the presence of his heavenly Father in this garden.

Then, as if to highlight the faithfulness of Christ all the more by way of contrast, that serpent Judas comes slithering in to this garden where Jesus is communing with his Father.

Judas standing as a direct contrast to the faithfulness of Jesus

English Standard Version Chapter 18

2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3 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.

I want you to do your best to try to picture this scene in your mind. What do you see? Here we have Jesus and his disciples late at night in a garden praying together. Judas comes in, leading with him some men. How many men do you think Judas was leading with him?

Did you know that the words that are used here in the text insinuate that there were between 600 and 1000 men here with Judas? The other gospels describe it as a “crowd” or a “large crowd,” but John mentions that there was a “band” of Roman soldiers, which almost always refers to a group of 600 to 1000 of them, plus the officials who were there sent by the high priest.

On top of that, we are told that they had torches and lanterns and weapons.

What we see here is nothing less than a huge angry mob of people that have come to arrest and murder an innocent man.

Do you see how in this garden Satan was gathering his forces to launch an attack on God, just like he did in Eden? But while in Eden he took advantage of Adam’s weakness, in Gethsemane he encountered Christ’s power.

Jesus is Powerful

English Standard Version Chapter 18

4 Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

State: Consider the scene. As this angry mob approaches Jesus, Jesus stands and goes to meet them. He asks, “who are you looking for?” They respond “Jesus of Nazareth.” What Jesus says next is astonishing.

Jesus is the I Am

In your Bible it says that Jesus responded by saying, “I am he,” but the word he doesn’t show up in the original Greek. In the Greek we get that phrase which we have heard from Jesus time and time again throughout John’s gospel, the phrase which so often got Jesus into so much trouble, because its the phrase that identifies Jesus as the divine Son.

Ego Eimi

But when Jesus says it this time, something unique and fascinating happens

His enemies lay prostrate

English Standard Version Chapter 18

6 When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

Consider this scene now: there is a whole angry mob of between 600 and 1000 people: most of them are Roman soldiers, men of war. When Jesus utters the Ego Eimi, all of them fall down to the ground, prostrate before Jesus.

Jesus shows them the immensity of his power, which accomplishes two things

Jesus shows that whatever happens next is a result of his own choosing. Jesus makes it clear to everyone that he is no mere victim of circumstances. Jesus shows everyone that this arrest, trial, and crucifixion is going to happen because he is choosing it to happen. Just as he said in chapter 10, nobody takes his life from him, but he lays it down of his own accord.

Here Jesus is giving both them and us as the readers a brief glimpse into the future. This is what we call foreshadowing: Jesus displays his divine power which lays his enemies prostrate at his feet with only a word. Jesus exhibits here for a moment what will happen to his enemies when he comes again in glory, not as a servant, but as the conquering king.

Apply:

This serves us as a reminder of two things.

First, this is a reminder to those who walk in sin as enemies of Christ - on the day when he comes again, he will lay all of his enemies prostrate before him, not only for a moment, but for the full weight of judgement.

Second, this is a reminder to those who would come to him in repentance. - this is our powerful protector who invites us now to repent and receive a warm and gentle welcome. This is the one who said, “everyone who comes to me I will never cast out.”

And it is to that warm invitation and powerful protection that we turn our attention for the third point.

Jesus is Sacrificial

English Standard Version Chapter 18

7 So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” 9 This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” 10 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.) 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

State:

temporal protection in this case

Seems clear that they intended to arrest and kill not only Jesus, but also the disciples

Jesus offers himself peacefully on the condition that they let the disciples go.

At this moment, the disciples all flee and scatter. They are scared, but they are safe because of Jesus

Peter acts out of self preservation

Peter doesn’t scatter yet, not before trying to put up a fight. This is a ridiculous attempt, first because of the sheer numbers advantage, but mostly because he still doesn’t understand what needs to happen.

Jesus does understand what needs to happen.

Jesus sacrifices himself for the eternal preservation of his people

Jesus knows that the time has come for him to drink the cup the Father has given him. This is imagery that Jesus uses to refer to the wrath that God must pour out upon Jesus in order to effect that salvation of the world.

Illustrate:

Apply:

Interesting themes:

Selfless sacrifice (Jesus as high priest) vs Sinful deceit, scapegoating their own (high priest and servants)

Betrayal (Judas) vs Faithfulness (Jesus)

Jesus is faithful

second Adam in the garden

Adam fled God’s presence, Jesus enters his Father’s presence

he often met here with his disciples for prayer

he knew what was going to happen

Jesus is powerful

Ego Eimi

His enemies lay prostrate - a foretaste of what is to come

transition: the reason why Jesus didn’t keep them prostrate

Jesus is sacrificial

He protects his flock in the moment

He has a job to do: sacrifice himself for the salvation of the world (the cup)

submission to his father’s will (your will be done)

FCF: We are deceitful (Judas, high priest) and overly defensive of self (Peter)

CFC: Jesus is faithful and sacrificial, effecting our salvation