The Path Of Pain Part 1 Series

Alliance Church

Pastor David Welch

“The Path of Pain” John 18

Review

Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. John 20:30-31

John’s writing may be divided into three movements.

• Public teaching and ministry of Jesus 1-12

• Private teaching and ministry of Jesus 13-17

• Personal saving ministry of Jesus 18-21

Each chapter thus weaves numerous truths regarding the person and work of Christ. Each chapter also spotlights one particular aspect of His Sonship.

Chapter 1 – Overture to the writing – Introduction to Jesus

Chapter 2 – Lord over nature and the Father’s place of worship (calmed the sea, cleansed the temple)

Chapter 3 – God’s gift of love for salvation

Chapter 4-- Living water springing up to eternal life

Chapter 5 – Father’s obedient Son

Chapter 6 – Bread of Life out of heaven offering life to the hungry

Chapter 7 – Master Teacher and dispatcher of inner rivers of water flowing out to others

Chapter 8 – Eternal (I AM) Light of the world who reveals truth that sets the captive free

Chapter 9 – Restorer of sight to the blind

Chapter 10 – The Door and the Good Shepherd who sacrifices his life to offer abundant life and security to the sheep

Chapter 11 – Resurrection and the life that offers all believers the hope of a resurrected life

Chapter 12 – King of Israel who comes in the name of the Lord

Chapter 13 -- The humble forgiving servant who washes feet

Chapter 14 – The way, the truth, and the life that goes to prepare a palace for us.

Chapter 15 – The true Vine who energizes the branches to bear much fruit.

Chapter 16 – The sender of the Holy Spirit sent to indwell every follower.

Chapter 17 – the Great Intercessor who prays for all believers of all the ages.

Prior to chapter 18 Jesus had been in the upper room with his disciples. Judas left the others to carry out his devil-driven betrayal. Jesus offered his disciples anchors of truth to enable them to survive the dreadful events about to unfold.

Several times he urged them not to let their heart be troubled.

• Know His love (He will take care of us)

• Internalize His word

• Walk in love (love for God and each other)

• Walk by the power of the Holy Spirit (empower and enlighten)

• Continually interact with the Father

I. The public teaching and ministry of Jesus 1-12

II. The private teaching and ministry of Jesus 13-17

III. The Passionate salvation ministry of the Word 18-21

A. Treachery and Trial 18:1-42

1. Garden Gloom

After they sang a hymn, they went out to a special place.

When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden, in which He entered with His disciples. Now Judas also, who was betraying Him, knew the place, for Jesus had often met there with His disciples. John 18:1-2

This was a place familiar to the disciples about three-fourths of a mile from Jerusalem.

What had once been a place of peace and solitude became a place of pain and suffering.

John briefly alluded to Judas’ betraying activity then jumped directly to the arrest events.

John was concerned about portraying Jesus as the divine Son thus chose to omit the intense prayer with the Father in the garden. The garden prayer definitely demonstrates the humanity of Christ. The prayer of John 17 most undeniably underlines His divinity.

Combining the detail from the other three accounts, God allows us to get in touch with the depth of emotion associated with the whole plan for our restoration.

Whereas the first Adam ran from God in a garden, the second Adam cried out to God in a garden.

The First Adam choice his own course in the garden.

The Second Adam said, “Not my will but your be done.”

Angels expelled the First Adam from the garden.

Angles strengthened the Second Adam in His resolve to obey.

a) A passionate Plea (Matthew, Mark, Luke)

Jesus left eight of the disciples as an outer guard and invited the inner circle, Peter, James and John to accompany Him to the place he chose to pray. Here they are about to encounter a far different experience than the transfiguration. As they withdrew to pray, Jesus began to feel the weight of the coming sequence of events called “the hour” and the “cup”. Several words stand out describing the emotional state of Jesus.