John 18:1–11 – [1] 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. [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. [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?” (ESV)

 

 

THE PLACE

• The garden was east of the city. Kidron brook separated the garden from the city.
• OT
  • Sin offering was taken outside the city
  • David fleeing his accusers crossed the Kidron in the area.
  • David fleeing his enemies. Jesus facing His enemies.

 

• Not hiding. He went for a purpose. (He was in total control)

 

1. The place of prayer – Commune with His Father. (John does not mention it, but the other Gospels do.)
2. The place of rest – It was a place that He would have gone to often to rest.
3. The place of fellowship – A place to spend with His disciples.  Intimate, teaching, encouraging.
4. The place of His arrest – THE MAIN reason.  To fulfill the will of the Father.  Redemption.

 

 

THE PEOPLE

• Jesus – He is in total control
  • v. 4 – knowing all things that would happen
  • v. 4 – first to speak. He did not wait on them.

 

• Disciples – With their Lord, yet unfinished work ahead.
  • Peter acts in emotional haste. The synoptics “wait and pray.”  When we fall to the temptation to get out of God’s will.
  • This is a spiritual battle, not on fought with weapons of man.

 

• Judas – a picture of depravity.
  • He is with them, but hours earlier he was with HIM

 

• Band of soldiers – Hundreds. Roman soldiers

 

• Religious delegate – Blind leading the blind.

 

 

THE PURPOSE

To Fulfill the will of the Father.

To Finish. what He came to do (redemption)

 

The synoptics touch on His suffering.  John focuses on His dignity and His glory

 

• Torches and lights – TO SEARCH FOR THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
• Weapons – TO SUBDUE THE PRINCE OF PEACE
• Seeking a criminal – THE SAVIOR OF MANKIND

 

I AM THE I AM – I AM HE

• His divine majesty and power
• They fell to the ground. I AM HE

• WHY?
  • I am God
  • I am voluntary going. I am not being captured.  I AM GOING TO THE CROSS.

 

A.W. Pink

The entrance of Christ into the Garden at once reminds us of Eden. The contrasts between them are indeed most striking.

 

1. In Eden, all was delightful; in Gethsemane, all was terrible.
2. In Eden, Adam and Eve parleyed with Satan; in Gethsemane, the last Adam sought the face of His Father.
3. In Eden, Adam sinned; in Gethsemane, the Savior suffered.
4. In Eden, Adam fell; in Gethsemane, the Redeemer conquered.
5. The conflict in Eden took place by day; the conflict in Gethsemane was waged at night.
6. In the one Adam fell before Satan; in the other, the soldiers fell before Christ.
7. In Eden the race was lost; in Gethsemane Christ announced, “Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none” (John 18:9).
8. In Eden, Adam took the fruit from Eve’s hand; in Gethsemane, Christ received the cup from His Father’s hand.
9. In Eden, Adam hid himself; in Gethsemane, Christ boldly showed Himself.
10. In Eden, God sought Adam; in Gethsemane, the last Adam sought God!
11. From Eden Adam was “driven”; from Gethsemane Christ was “led.”
12. In Eden the “sword” was drawn (Gen. 3:24); in Gethsemane the “sword” was sheathed (John 18:11).