HoHum:
Quote from John MacArthur- The reason that Jesus Christ was born was to die. It greatly concerns me today that there are some who are always talking about the fact that Jesus was a wonderful person who through a set of circumstances got Himself into a mess and wound up getting crucified. However, the Word of God clearly tells us that Jesus Christ was never trapped, He was never tricked, He was never surprised, He was never a victim, He went to the cross of His own design, of His own will because He was born for that express purpose.
WBTU:
We find that after Jesus prayed in the garden Jesus was arrested. This was all part of the Passover Plan. Jesus’ composure, courage, and boldness before the mob was a reflection of His own inner peace and authority. Jesus knew who He was and what He was to do.
Each evening of the final week before his death, Jesus took his apostles for a time of prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. “Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.” Luke 22:39, NIV.
Probably Judas went to the Upper room and found it empty. The next logical place was the Mount of Olives. Judas knew the place because it was special to Jesus. John 18:2
Jesus put himself in a position where he would be arrested. Could have avoided this easily.
Thesis: Let’s talk about the confrontation that lead to Jesus’ arrest from John 18:1-11 and then what this means to us.
For instances:
John 18:1-11, many more details from other gospels but center thoughts here
Vs. 1-3- It was 2 to 3 am Friday morning. We find here that this mob was led by Judas. Without Judas’s help they could not have found Jesus in the garden. This mob or multitude was made up of Romans soldiers, a temple guard, Pharisees, scribes, servants, chief priests, and elders of the Jews. It was full moon but this mob brought extra lights to search out the dark recesses of the garden. These also came with weapons. The Roman soldiers had swords. The others at least had clubs. Why? They were expecting resistance.
Vs. 4a- Jesus offered himself to the officers. John here mentions the foreknowledge of Jesus to remind us that he could have avoided arrest had he chosen to do so.
Vs. 4b- Jesus brought things to a head with the mob by asking them a question: “Who is it you want?” Jesus asked this question for 3 reasons:
To openly declare his identity 2) To make the Jewish rulers conscious that they were arresting an innocent man 3) To confine the arrest to himself and deliver his disciples
Vs. 5- The leaders of this mob said they wanted Jesus. Jesus responded that he was the man they were looking for. John also notes here that Judas was initially holding back, waiting to see how all of this would go down before he completed the conspiracy.
Vs. 6- Jesus’ confidence struck fear into this mob. This is not necessarily a miracle as some believe it to be. These men had heard of the great miracles attributed to Jesus. He was known as a powerful prophet. No member of the mob wanted to be the first to lay hands on him. For Jesus to so willing to give himself up seemed suspicious. They fell back because of this.
Vs. 7-8 - Jesus challenged crowd again with confidence. Jesus pleads for safety of disciples.
Vs. 9- John notes how the release of Jesus’ men fulfilled prophecy. Read John 17:12, NIV.
Vs. 10- Peter drew a sword. Rash Peter rushed to attack this mob single handedly. Peter had talked much of what he would do for his Master. He would lay down his life for him. In this moment Peter obviously was prepared to do just that. Peter was trying to split Malchus’ skull but for whatever reason Peter only cut off his ear. “But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.” Luke 22:51, NIV. In so doing Christ gave them all proof of his power. He could heal and destroy if he pleased, which should have obligated them to submit to him. One would think that this generous act of kindness would have melted their hearts; but hardened hearts don’t melt so easily.
Vs. 11- Other gospels tell us more of what Jesus said to Peter. WE have already discussed the cup this morning. Not looking at all of this but Need to focus on one comment by Jesus here. ““Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” Matthew 26:52, 53, NIV. Jesus did not have 11 disciples to protect him; he had 12 legions of angels. Under the Roman army, a legion was composed of 6,000 men. 12 legions at full strength consisted of 72,000 men. From the Roman army system, Jesus Christ had 72,000 angels at his beck and call. We often sing of 10,000 angels that Christ could have called but that’s not correct. Learn some things from Matthew 26:53:
1. God has no need of us, of our services to bring about his purpose. God can do his work without us. Though Christ was crucified through weakness, it was a voluntary weakness; he submitted to death, not because he could not oppose it, but because he would not oppose it
2. See the confidence that Jesus had in his Father. What a comfort it is to know that when we can do nothing on our own we can pray to the Father and he can do more than we ask or image.
3. We see here Jesus’ confidence in angels. These angels were ready to come to the help of our Lord Jesus if he called. Reminds me of this: “When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh, my lord, what shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all round Elisha.” 2 Kings 6:15-17.
4. At my disposal- Angels are not to be prayed to, but the Lord of the angels. What a comfort to know that our Lord Jesus had the hosts of heaven at his beck and call.
When Jesus is bound and taken away He is in the hands of others. No more details to work out as far as Christ is concerned. Jesus Christ while free to move and act worked out the Passover Plan. Now it was in the hands of his enemies. However, at any time Jesus could have called 12 legions of angels and they would have destroyed the world and set Jesus free.
John leaves out the part about Judas kissing Jesus Christ. “Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”” Luke 22:48, NIV. The sight of Judas touching Jesus no doubt emboldened the mob. The authorities made Jesus their prisoner. They put forth their hands against God’s anointed. They could not have taken him, if he had not surrendered himself, and been “handed over to them by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge” (Acts 2:23). God “did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all” Romans 8:32, NIV. Jesus became a prisoner, so that he might set us free.
Luke 22:54 says that they seized him. John 18:12 says they bound him. Possible description from The Day Christ Died book by Jim Bishop, “The proper manner was to take the victim by the right wrist, twist his arm behind him so that his knuckles touched between his shoulder blades and, at the same time, jam the heel down on his right instep. After this, other soldiers brought out rope and tied his hands. A long noose was placed about his neck. Now that Jesus was fettered and no one had been struck dead, the authorities began to take courage and issue orders.”
So what? What does this mean? We see 3 things:
1. Jesus’ Concern -
See here the concern He possessed for disciples. He is concerned that they not be arrested, but that they be allowed to go free. Jesus was concerned with the protection of His men. They were special to Him and He was determined to see that their need was met that night. Christ cared more for their welfare than He did for His own! In His actions you do not see the selfishness manifested by most humans. He shows a self-sacrificing love that defies description. Only God is able to love to that degree!
Things have not changed! Jesus is still very concerned about the needs you and I. His concern translates into action on our behalf. After all, God has promised to take care of our needs - “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19, NIV.
2. Jesus’ Compassion -
When the soldiers come to take Jesus away, Peter draws his sword and cuts the ear off of a man named Malchus. Peter was trying to kill him graveyard dead. But, Peter missed and only got an ear. When this happened, Jesus reached out to Malchus and restored his ear. Folks, only God can do things of that nature!
Most of us would have been glad to see our friends fighting for us and inflicting damage on the enemy. Not Jesus! He was moved with compassion for one who was His enemy and reached out to Him in love. By the way, that's what He did for us! We were the enemies of God. Yet, He still reached out to us through His grace, “made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:5, NIV. I am glad that the Lord was moved with compassion when He saw me. Had it not been for the love and compassion of our Lord, I would be dead and on the road to Hell and so would you.
3. Jesus’ Commission -
Jesus seems determined to go to the cross! Had this been you or I, we would have tried to cut a deal. Jesus went to the cross and drank the bitter cup of death for you and me!
I am grateful that Jesus did not flinch in the face of Calvary. I am so thankful today that He was willing to go to the cross and to die for my sins so that I could be saved. I tell you, we serve a wonderful Lord who deserves to be exalted and praised for the unspeakable gift He gave us when He willingly died on the cross for our sins! What a Savior!
