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1. Jesus arrested in the garden (John 18:1-14)
JOHN 18:1-3
1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples over the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, into 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 Judas then, having taken a detachment of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
Jesus spoke to his Father in prayer, committing his life into God’s hands, as well as his apostles’ and followers. With this farewell prayer he completed his words, ministries and prayers. Then he entered a new stage of suffering and affliction to fulfill his role as God’s Lamb bearing the world’s sin.
So he entered a walled garden on the Mount of Olives across the Kidron river where lay a winepress. This was a place of refuge and retreat that he and his disciples resorted to, and where he often slept.
Judas knew of this secret hideout, and he informed the Jewish authorities of Jesus whereabouts. They were pleased and gathered temple guards and representatives of the Pharisees. They had no right to arrest anyone by night or carry arms, except with the agreement of the Roman rulers. The governor was informed. The Jewish leaders were not content with Judas’ information, but pressed him to lead the company to arrest Christ. Thus, Judas was not merely a traitor but also delivered Jesus to his foes. God forbid that He should allow His Son to take the likeness of the betrayer or vice versa. God is above such baseness.
JOHN 18:4-6
4 Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were happening to him, went forth, and said to them, “Who are you looking for?” 5 They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When therefore he said to them, “I am he,” they went backward, and fell to the ground.
We have no idea how the attackers slipped into the garden. They probably had many lanterns to find him in case he thought of escape. Jesus was deep in prayer and his disciples were asleep. In prayer he noticed the company coming along with the betrayer. He made no move to escape though he knew what awaited him in harsh judgment and torture. He was aware of everything and obedient to the Father. He rose and surrendered to the advancing company; his majesty and honor intact. In truth, it was not Judas who surrendered Jesus, but the Lord who yielded himself for us.
He asked them, "Whom do you seek?" When they uttered his name, he answered in divine terms, "I am He". Anyone with a sense of spiritual insight would realize at once that in Jesus, God was standing among men saying to them what God said to Moses, "I AM". "Do you honestly wish to kill your Savior? I am He, take care what you do. I am the Creator and Redeemer, standing before you."
All the while, Judas was standing around, and these words pierced his heart. This is last occasion he is mentioned in John’s gospel. John does not mention the kiss of Judas or how he committed suicide. John’s primary concern was Jesus, whom he portrays in noble resolve before his enemies. This voluntary surrender in meekness stabbed Judas’ heart for Jesus was ready to die. At that, Judas and the company fell back in shock in the presence of majesty. They were equipped for combat to arrest the accused. Here he was approaching them with the dignity of a high priest on the day of atonement, saying, "I am the One you want." They fell to the ground, and Jesus could have evaded them, but he continued to stand before them.
JOHN 18:7-9
7 Again therefore he asked them, “Who are you looking for?” They said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If therefore you seek me, let these go their way,” 9 that the word might be fulfilled which he spoke, “Of those whom you have given me, I have lost none.”
Christ turned the attention of his attackers to himself. Some were out to arrest his disciples, but Jesus tried to shield them, facing his foes, baring his chest. He is the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep, and he enjoined the soldiers to leave his own followers alone. His dignity shook them, and they obeyed his command. Again he said, "I am He", as if to say, "I am the Bread of Life, I am the Light of the world, I am the Door, the Good Shepherd, the Way, the Truth and the Life. I am the appointed Savior. In human form God stands before you." The name "Jesus" means, God helps and saves. This divine help was rejected by the Jews. They did not want the humble Nazarene as their Messiah.
JOHN 18:10-11
10 Simon Peter therefore, 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 Jesus therefore said to Peter, “Put the sword into its sheath. The cup which the Father has given me, shall I not surely drink it?”
Peter had not understood his Lord, or heeded his words. He was asleep and woke up, still dozing. He noticed the soldiers and was angry, drawing his sword, which Jesus had allowed him to carry. This he lifted and struck the servant of the high priest without an order from his Lord. The servant’s ear was cut. Only John tells us this after Peter was long dead.
John highlights Jesus’ command to his head disciple to put back the sword into its scabbard, avoid further blood letting, and spare the arrest of any disciple.
Then Jesus spoke to his disciples of the cup of divine wrath that he accepted as he prayed. Thus, we read this as an implicit reference to the spiritual struggle that went on in the Lord’s soul before his arrest. We realize that he was ready to suffer that wrath, bearing all judgment in his person for us. That cup comes directly from his Father’s hand. He thus takes what is most bitter from Him who is dearest. This he cannot bear except by love, because Father and Son are one in mankind’s redemption. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son.
PRAYER: We worship you, o Father, because of your love beyond our grasp. You gave your Son for us. We worship you, o Son, for your mercy and majesty and readiness to die. You did not flee the garden but defended your disciples, and surrendered to your foes. We thank you for denying yourself, for your kindness and your uprightness.
QUESTION:
- What is the meaning of Jesus’ revelation of himself to his enemies at the entrance of the garden?
QUIZ - 6
Dear reader,
send us correct answers to 15 of these 17 questions. We shall then send you the sequel of this series of studies.
- How does Jesus become the true Vine?
- Why are we in Jesus and he in us?
- How did Jesus make those who were slaves of sin become his beloved?
- Why does the world hate Christ and his loved ones?
- How does God confront the world that crucified Christ?
- Why does the world hate those who believe in Christ?
- What does the Holy Spirit work in the world?
- How does the Holy Spirit work in the world’s development?
- How does God the Father answer our prayers in Jesus’ name?
- Why and how does the Father love us?
- What is the basic thought in the first part of Jesus’ prayer?
- What is the significance of the revealing of the Father’s name through Jesus?
- What does our protection in the Father’s name signify?
- How did Jesus ask his Father to keep us from evil?
- What did Jesus request from his Father for our benefit?
- What is the summary of the High Priestly prayer that Jesus uttered?
- What is the meaning of Jesus’ revelation of himself to his enemies at the entrance of the garden?
Do not forget to write your name and full address clearly on the quiz sheet, not only on the envelope. Send it to the following address:
Waters of Life
P.O.Box 600 513
70305 Stuttgart
Germany
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