The Gospel of John, Chapter 18:1-13

Starting in chapter 13 Jesus was getting the disciples ready for his coming crucifixion. He comforted them, gave them instructions, told them what to expect and prayed for them. The moment was now here.

¹  When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.

² And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.

Judas was willful in his betrayal. He went to the chief priest and conspired with them, then plotted with them on how they could find him and take him into custody. All for 30 pieces of silver.

³ Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.

In Luke 22:48 it says that Judas came to Jesus and kissed him, indicating to the officers who Jesus was.

⁴ Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?

The wording here, “Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him...” Jesus knew what was about to happen exactly. It then says he “went forth…” He didn’t run.. he didn’t resist…this is why he came… to pay the price for all of our sins so that we can be saved. His love for us is so great he suffered and died our deaths and took our punishments….and as harsh and grievous as he knew it would be, he still “WENT FORTH”
He asked them, “Whom seek ye?“

⁵ They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.

⁶ As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

Jesus was not just some random person, he’s the son of God. While they may be about to take him into custody, it’s clear that they could only do so because Jesus allowed them to do it. Jesus laid down his life….freely. NO GREATER LOVE HAS ANY MAN THAN THIS , THAN A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS! John 15:13

⁷ Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.

⁸ Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:

⁹ That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

¹⁰ Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

¹¹ Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

Peter had already been rebuked for this in Matthew 16:22-24 ²² “Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.²³ But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.²⁴ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Here he missed the point again and tried to stop the officers from taking Jesus. I love the stories of Peter…they give me hope that if Peter could overcome his flesh and become a powerful man of God, then I can also learn to stop allowing my flesh to make my choices for me. Peter meant well…but his ideas were generated by his flesh, so here again he is misguided. Even after Jesus explained it all to Peter, Peter still didn’t understand that Jesus came here to die for our sins. Jesus healed the officer so Peter wasn’t charged. He explained again that he was here to do the will of God.

¹² Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,

They bound Jesus… these men who fell down when Jesus told them, “ I am he” bound him. Jesus could have spoken the words at any time and stopped everything…. but he didn’t…his love for us led him to the cross.

¹³ And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.