This entire Easter message series includes:
#1 - Betrayed and sentenced - John 18:1 - John 19:6
#2 - Dead and Buried - Matthew 27:27-61
#3 - Alive and Risen - Matthew 28:1-10
I. JESUS IN THE GARDEN – John 18:1-12
A. The garden was a place that Jesus and the disciples often resorted to.
B. Judas came with a band of men. This denotes anywhere from 200 to 600 men.
C. Jesus knew all things that should come to him.
D. Jesus made sure that only he was taken by asking them whom they were searching for and telling them he was the one. Remember that the other gospels tell how Judas betrayed Jesus by kissing him. By admitting who he was Jesus made sure there was no mistake as to who should be taken away.
E. “I am he” – see Exodus 3:13,14 and John 8:58,59. The soldiers fell down when Jesus spoke his name.
F. Peter decides to take matters into his own hands and is rebuked by Jesus.
G. They take Jesus away. The disciples scattered according to Mark 14:50, “And they all forsook him, and fled.”
II. JESUS IN FRONT OF THE HIGH PRIEST – John 18:13,14 and John 18:19-24
A. Annas questioned Jesus. His son-in-law, Caiphas, had received a prophecy that Jesus would die for the nation and that he would gather together the children of God who were scattered (John 11:51,52).
B. Jesus answers the questions truthfully and is slapped in the face.
C. Jesus is sent to Caiphas. The gospel of John does not give the details of what happened in front of Caiphas. It shifts straight to Pilate.
III. PETER’S DENIAL OF JESUS – John 18:15-18 and John 18:25-27
A. In the middle of talking about Jesus John writes about Peter’s denial. Why would he do this? I believe he was showing us the very heart of sinful man. Even when we know the truth we still tend to deny it. Peter, the rock, the one who said he would never forsake Christ ran away when he was arrested and then denied Jesus three times. Can any of us say that we would have done any different? I think not.
IV. JESUS IN FRONT OF PILATE – John 18:28 – John 19:16
A. Pilate was Roman, not a Jew. The Jews wanted Jesus to die, but did not have the right to kill him under Roman law.
B. Those bringing Jesus did not want to enter the hall of judgment lest they defile themselves and give up their rights to partake in the festivities of Passover.
C. Again we see the omniscience of Jesus Christ in John 18:32. The reference referred to is John 12:32 when Jesus said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”
1. Jesus Christ crucified on the cross is all that we need to preach to draw men to be saved.
D. Pilate questions Jesus – John 18:33-38
1. “Art thou the King of the Jews?”
a. Jesus asks if he came to this conclusion by himself or if someone else had told him.
2. “What hast thou done?”
a. Jesus doesn’t answer this question. Instead he refers back to the previous question and proclaims that if this were his kingdom his servants would fight for him.
3. “Art thou a king then?”
a. Jesus answers, “To this end was I born.” Then he ends his statement with, “Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”
4. “What is truth?”
a. An indication that Pilate did not recognize Jesus Christ as the Son of God.
E. Pilate’s verdict and sentence – John 18:38 – John 19:5
1. “I find in him no fault at all.”
2. Barabbas, the robber, is released.
3. Jesus is scourged.
4. Jesus is mocked.
5. Jesus is presented to the Jews, beaten, bleeding, and wearing the fabricated garments of a king.
6. “Behold the man.”
F. The Jew’s response – John 18:6,7
1. “Crucify him, crucify him!”
2. “He made himself the Son of God.”
G. Pilate questions Jesus again and seeks a way to release him – John 19:8-15
1. “Behold your king.”
H. Pilate finally renders the sentence the Jews were wanting even though he could not find any fault in Jesus – John 18:16
