Putting Away Our Sword
Series: A Journey with Jesus (through the Gospel of John)
Brad Bailey – April 3, 2011
Intro –
Around our home I begin to see the signs of spider season. Each morning I can begin to see the webs that have been spun. As much as I don‟t care for spiders…. Thesir webs can be rather impressive. They weave that which can capture their enemies… something so elaborate. But then I go out to my car… and will find a web attached it. As I drive off I get a different perspective on the spider‟s real power. Strangely enough… the next day the spider weaves another web between the car and tree… and it‟s no match for the car. And of course you can see webs weaved across roadways and train tracks everywhere.
> I wonder if we don‟t weave lives just as foolishly and vainly when we presume life is independent of God‟s sovereignty.
We makes plans for our lives… and learn that there are turns we couldn‟t control.
We have children….. they reach teens years…. They think they are in control… parents think they are in control…. God might question both.
As we continue our weekend Journey with Jesus through the Gospel of John… we come to the moment in which the forces of this earth finally make their move to take hold of Jesus… and all which he represents. [1]
TEXT
John 18:1-12 (NIV) 1 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went into it. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. 4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you want?" 5 "Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "I am he," Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Again he asked them, "Who is it you want?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." 8 "I told you that I am he," Jesus answered. "If you are looking for me, then let these men go." 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: "I have not lost one of those you gave me." 10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) 11 Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?" 12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him.
It may be hard to imagine all the intensity that was at hand in this moment.
Evil is taking hold of a mob… fear in the disciples…. the pain of where this is leading for Jesus. Evil has come to arrest God. It is the ultimate expression of human presumption of control… and not surprising it involves those representing religious
authority… and political authority… all drawn together to get rid of one who claims to represent the authority of God‟s love over all.
This raises an important question. As you consider this event, let me ask us:
Who thinks they are in charge? (Those who have earthly authority.)
Who tries to take charge ? (Peter)
Who is in charge? Who seems to be most in control? > Jesus / God
Consider how he remained in control….
(Below points drawn and adapted from Richard Tow)
God‘s ultimate control at hand…
1. His DECISION to go into Gethsemane (Verse 1-2). Immediately after his prayer in John 17 Jesus leads his disciples across the Kidron valley into the Garden of Gethsemane. This is particularly significant because this is where Judas would expect to find him. Jesus knows that his hour has come. He is positioning himself to be arrested. John 18:2 ―Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.‖
Judas knew the place and Jesus knew that Judas knew the place. When Judas was leading the mob to arrest Jesus he probably went first to the upper room. Not finding Jesus there he led them to the Garden.
Jesus came to reclaim all of creation… and ultimately to suffer in sacrificial love for you… and when that final facing off with evil came… he was not simply found in hiding... he rose to meet his this calling.
There was nothing simple about this. We know from the other Gospel accounts… that Jesus felt the deepest distress any human body has ever experienced. He knew that that an enemy was seeking to destroy him… and he asked his three closest disciples to stand with him in prayer while he sought strength… but this was too much for them…. He found them asleep… a painful reminder that he was bearing this alone. And as the reality of the weight of what he faced came upon him… his blood vessels began to break… and blood made it‟s way into his own sweat.
> This is what he bore and what he CHOSE to bear… as he made that decision to go to the garden where he expected to be found.
In that choice Jesus reminds us that God knows the reality of evil… but He will face it.He is ultimately in control… then and now.
2. His DEMEANOR in the face of this hostile crowd (Verses 3-6).
The mass of lives that came to get Jesus represents the very powers of evil that claim control.
(Richard Tow)
Pilate sends a detachment of soldiers with the Pharisees and temple police. The word translated ―detachment‖ in John 18:3 is ―speira‖. It is a military word used for a Roman cohort, which was one tenth of a legion or 600 men. Sometimes the word is used in a more general way and could possibly refer to a smaller number.[2] But Pilate did not want a riot on his hands during this feast and you can be sure he sent what he considered to be overwhelming force. This was a huge mob and they were out for blood.
Satan has entered into Judas and Judas is leading the crowd. There was the normal intimidation of Pilate‟s soldiers and the temple police; but beyond that was the spiritual darkness at work. The mob is energized by demonic activity. He is facing evil in the eyes and hearts of those who come. But he had already settled who he submitted himself to… a decision that would only frustrate the powers that tried to claim him.
The mob expects the usual human reaction of fight or flight. They have prepared for either response. They‟ve come with lanterns and torches in case Jesus tries to hide himself in the trees and bushes. And of course they come with swords in case there is a fight.
They approach Jesus with certain assumptions that prove totally false. When they encounter Jesus he is not hiding in some hole the way Saddam Hussein was captured. He boldly goes out to meet them. He is not a helpless victim of a lynch mob. He is still the Lord of Glory and King of Kings even in this most humbling of circumstances. Contrary to the crowds expectations, Jesus walked up to them with majestic composure and calm and asked them the question, ―Who is it you want?‖ Their reply was very specific, “Jesus of Nazareth.” They did not recognize him as the Messiah or the Christ. Then we have this dramatic response…
John 18:6 ―When Jesus said, ‗I am he,‘ they drew back and fell to the ground.” When Jesus spoke the words, “I am he,” the crowd was knocked down by the power of the Spirit. (Many of us have experienced the gentler power of His presence and Spirit …. and gently found ourselves “falling under the power.” In a similar but perhaps stronger way, God wants to assert His dominion and here overwhelms people with His presence.
> Clearly this is a demonstration of Jesus‘ control over the situation. If Jesus had that kind of authority and power—the ability to speak the word and knock them to the ground, he clearly did not have to surrender to them. John tells us about this so that we will know beyond any doubt that Jesus was in control. No man took his life. He willingly laid it down as a sacrifice in your behalf and in my behalf.
3. His DEFENSE of those entrusted to him (Verses 7-8). There are so many questions and arguments Jesus might have brought in his own defense. He does not defend himself. But he does defend his disciples. What is the design of his question to the mob? “Who do you want?” Isn‟t it obvious that they want Jesus? It is. But Jesus is getting at something that is paramount in his mind at the time. He is forcing them to focus on him rather than his disciples. He is leading the conversation to this conclusion in verse 8,
―If you are looking for me, then let these men go.‖ That is a revelation of his heart toward you and me. He is always looking out for us.
He continues to love his own to the end even though they are failing him in many ways. John adds this comment in verse 9, ―This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: ‗I have lost none of those you gave me‘.‖
Jesus will NOT LOSE ONE of those given to him. That includes you if you are given to him. They weren‘t stopping his ministry… they were about to discover how he was fulfilling his ministry to become a sacrifice that would save all who received him. [3]
The crowd seems intent on destroying Jesus…. But Jesus is intent on protecting the disciples.
> Even when God seems bound… he is at work to ultimately bring freedom.
And finally there is…
4. His DEMONSTRATION of power to restore (vs. 9-11)
The intensity of this confrontation sets off Peter… who pulls his dagger…and strikes at one of these enemies. John mentions that Malchus is “the” servant of the high priest… so he may be leading the crowd right behind Judas.[4]
Just as Jesus is securing the safety of his disciples… Peter puts everyone in jeopardy.
RT – „Have you ever tried to help Jesus in the wrong way? Peter is trying to help Jesus. But he is not moving in the spirit but in the flesh. [5] And even though his intentions are right, he is actually doing more harm than good. He is going about a good thing in the wrong way and the result is that some sinner‟s ear gets cut off.‟ Have you ever cut a sinner‘s ear off? Have you ever approached him in some way that actually made it harder for him to hear the gospel than before he encountered you? Jesus always has to come behind us correct the mistake. Here he heals the man‟s ear and tells Peter to put up his sword.‘
> Even when we fail… he is in control.
When we reach the words… ―They bound him‖…. we have to wonder who is really bound. The forces of evil…. both spiritual and human… may seek to take control… but they never ultimately are.
In the very moment in which evil seeks to bind God….a paradox emerges… the one being arrested is in change… the one being bound is most free.
This is what the disciples would come to realize… that Jesus stands above the powers that claim control in this world.
From here they would take him to the leaders of religious control…. And they would try to control him…. but realize they couldn‟t… then to the leaders of political control… And they would try to control him…. but realize they couldn‟t.
There are powers at hand that are still trying to arrest God… to bind Him… and He still lets us…and the paradox remains… they bound him and were FREE to do it. Yet in doing so it is God who is free in His love and they are bound by evil.
The have freedom… and earthly force…but when used for evil…. God will overcome it with love.
Illus – martial arts have drawn upon the power of using one‟s opponent‟s moves and momentum to beat them… to a different end than they intended.
As he had made clear….
John 10:18 (NIV) No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."
And with those words Jesus reveals not only that God is ultimately in control over the forces of evil… but that all control is an illusion… human life is lived in submission to the goodness of God‘s love.
What we see in Jesus is what is surrounding us now: the power of God‘s love to overcome evil.
Control may be one of the most deceptive of all desires… an illusion of sorts.
We either claim that we are sovereign and discover that we are bound to evil…and our own destruction… or we submit to the sovereignty of God‟s goodness.
As we see here, those who seek to use force to fulfill what is evil…never actually have control. Whereas Jesus submits to the will and work of the Father… and is always free.
In this Jesus is restoring what was lost long ago in another garden.
For the enemy had stirred up man‘s false sense of independence and control in another garden long ago. We are told of the Garden of Eden… how freedom was lost. Adam, representing the first of humankind… chooses to use freedom to be free from God … and in such they are lost… losing their very nature.
Now the enemy stirs up the same in another garden… thinking he can do the same but this time the Son of God defies such independence… and the will of God is going to rule once again. The relationship that humankind had broken as children to Father… is manifest in Christ the Son. He becomes the new Adam… who will show the power of love to overcome such independence… and then offer his nature to us all. [6]
This morning we are being called to see the that the opposition to God that is stirred around us.... does not bear the control that it may appear to.
There is nothing simplistic about here… it is as intimidating as this moment.
Evil and opposition may bear large numbers…. intensity of emotion… weapons … and even earthly authority… but it does not have ultimate control.
God wants us to know that evil has no ultimate reign. Evil is the vain opposition to God‟s ultimate sovereignty.
It involves very real powers and pain…. ultimately earthly death itself…but God bears the power for life to conquer death…love to conquer evil.
It‟s important for us to realize that the mob wasn‘t the only ones who drew their swords.
Peter, one of Jesus‘ own followers thought he could take control. And like Peter… we can be tempted to presume that if we are on God‟s side then we are in control… and mis-perceive our own desire to take control.
After all… Peter was a strong man… courage to fight on God‘s side. So he had always had a hard time with Jesus not using force…. With Jesus allowing himself to be taken by those who obviously represent the evil of this world. We gotta meet control with control… force with force.
Many of us need to hear Jesus this morning as he says to Peter..
"Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?" (vs.11)
Jesus submitted himself to what the Father was allowing as part of His sovereignty. Jesus maintained control of what he was responsible for… he never sought to suffer… he clearly would say…. Father, if possible… take this cup from me… BUT if not my will be done… but YOUR will be done.‟
It was NOT a submission to fate… but to the Father‟s ultimate control… which he had enough sense of and trusted…not a submission to evil, but to the power of love that he had enough sense he was a part of.
Submission does not mean that we cannot express our desires to God… but it knows the difference between desires and demands.
John Wimber use to share how when someone would come up and tell him that they had decided that he was their pastor…. He would sometimes respond by saying, “Well we‟ll see the first time I have to say „no‟.”
My wife and I find a need to make a similar distinction with our kids. We welcome them to ask… and even share their perspective…. But if they cannot accept „no‟… then they are not asking they are demanding. What is really at hand is a desire to be in control.
Jesus calls us to the only true freedom that exists… the freedom to submit to the goodness of God.
We do not share the same cup as Christ... but he knows we share in it if we follow him.
Jesus fulfill what only he could. We don‟t bear the uniqueness of his cross…. That is his work fulfilled for us… but it calls us to follow… follow in the way of sacrificial love over evil… and to surrender our false sense of control… our demands for control… to the only sovereign source that reigns.
Jesus shows us how man‟s own bravado is misguided. We may think that taking control is powerful… leads us to freedom… but at some level any control is limited… and to presume it will only prove to bind us.
Some of us can relate to Peter… we have our daggers ready… may already have been doing some striking. Jesus is letting us know… it‘s time to put away our sword.
> Call to surrender ultimate control.
I am reminded of something shared by Kari Torjesen Malcolm whom I heard speak several years ago. Kari served for 15 years as a missionary to the Philippines. Kari was an MK (missionary kid) who grew up in China: "As a teenager, she was confined for a time during World War II in an internment camp, and there she discovered a deep truth that changed her life.
"In the camp she was number 16, and only one of many Westerners who sought self-identity and comfort behind the walls and the electric fence that separated them from the outside world. There were other MKs in the same predicament, and often they managed to get together for a few moments of prayer--prayer for freedom.
"But as time passed, Kari began to feel uneasy about these times of prayer. Freedom was becoming the ultimate goal in life, and God seemed to become less and less important--except for His answer to their prayers for freedom. She began to pray and search the Bible.
" It was only then that Kari was able to pray the prayer that changed her life: `Lord, I am willing to stay in this prison for the rest of my life if only I may know You.' At that moment, she was free."
-Stories of Faith by Ruth A. Tucker. Zondervan, 1989.
Resources: The descriptions of how Jesus was in control were drawn and adapted from a message by Richard Tow. My notes also have some direct material from the same. (I do not use these notes as a manuscript - neither memorized nor read… but as a structure of thought I share without using notes.) I also drew from similar themes by Glenn Durham, Darryl Klassen.
Notes
1. In teaching through the Gspel of John, nearly all text has been covered. A choice was made to not cover 18;12-28 that follows this section, simply based on schedule. However, it is notably an extension of the central theme and truths found in this section… namely that Jesus remains in control even in the midst of his capture.
2. Fredrick Danker and Walter Bauer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2000) p. 936 (Cited by Richard Tow)
3. Richard Tow writes, Judas reveals a sobering challenge to us all. We can be close to Jesus… and never really have joined him. He had been in this very garden praying with Jesus in the past. He sat next to Jesus at the communion table. He had lived so close to the Lord of Life. He had worked miracles in the name of Jesus. Charles Spurgeon says that Judas proves the futility of knowledge apart from sincerity and that familiarity with the sacred can still produce a traitor.[Tow cites Spurgeon, pp. 97 & 173] Judas never surrendered his heart to Christ though he followed him along with the other eleven.
4. Noting Malchus is “the” servant of the high priest, Tow cites: Alfred Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, Book III (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing, 1984) p. 544 Note the use of the definite article.
5. Noting Peter is not moving in the spirit but in the flesh, Tow cites Galatians 5:16-25
6. As N.T. Wright describes,
“The new Adam steps forward to meet the old; the Word who was and is God comes to greet „the world‟; the light of the world stands before those who, in their darkness, have come with torches and lanterns. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness is not going to extinguish it.
The true high priest will be sent to his earth by the false one, so that through his death God will rescue his people. The true Adam will be sent to his death by the false ones, so that the garden may be restored, and instead of bloodshed there may be healing and forgiveness.” (John for Everyone, pp. 103-104)
