Jesus, the God-man: Gospel of John
“Crossing Dark Waters”
John 18:1-11
Introduction: December 25, 1776 and Gen. Washington had a daring plan to attack the Hessians at Trenton, NJ while they were asleep or drunk with Christmas merriment. In order to do this, they had to cross a frozen Delaware River in the middle of the night and trudge through the snow to the city. It worked and the Hessians were defeated with minimal loss of life to the Americans.
We have seen the picture and many know the story of this bold move which became a turning point in the war for our independence. Everything went according to plan, but it required these men to cross over a dark river in silence.
We too must many times cross over dark treacherous waters in order to see spiritual victories. Jesus Himself literally and symbolically had to cross some difficult waters to achieve victory over sin and the devil.
Today, we will see as He concluded His High Priestly Prayer, He began to move toward that event for which He had come to earth – death on the cross. But to arrive there He had to begin by “crossing dark waters.”
1. Jesus knew what was coming. (vv. 1-4)
Finished praying and now heads toward the garden.
He took His disciples over the Brook Kidron which literally means “dark waters”. It got its name from the fact that this brook, which was no wider than 6 or 7 feet, would have the blood of the Passover lambs mingled in the water along with the city’s refuse. It was literally dark water or sediment.
Jesus has finished His prophetic work and now it is time to begin His priestly work of offering Himself as the sacrifice so He takes His disciples into the Garden of Gethsemane whose name means “olive press”.
Why go into the garden at night? 1) Fulfilled Scripture that said the sin offering would be offered outside the gate. 2) He was a type of David because King David crossed the Kidron in 2 Samuel 15 before he too was betrayed by a friend. 3) He wanted to give His enemies a chance to catch Him away from the people and give His disciples a chance to escape.
There is a great contrast between this garden and another garden named Eden. The first garden was a place of defeat and failure. This garden would be a place of victory/triumph.
The other gospels tell of His agonizing in the garden so those verses would be between verses 1 and 2 here. John’s focus in on Jesus, the God-Man so he did not include that, but instead tells us something the other gospels did not.
v. 2 – Judas the betrayer knew of this place which demonstrates that Jesus was not hiding out because He knew what was coming and that it had to happen.
It also shows the depth of Judas’ betrayal because he chose to catch Jesus in His place of solitude and prayer like they did Daniel in the OT.
v. 3 – Judas comes with great power and show of force. He brought officers from religious leaders and Roman soldiers (as few as 150 to perhaps 600) carrying torches and weapons because he thinks that he is in control and perhaps thought they would have to do a search.
v. 4 – “knowing all” – Jesus is omniscient. He knows all that will happen because His time and hour have come. When He left heaven He knew it was to die on a cross for us. Prophecy and the entire OT pointed to this.
That begs the question – if you knew the cost of your obedience would you still obey? Jesus did.
Jesus tells us to count the cost of discipleship in Luke 14:28.
For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it… So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:28, 33
“came forward” – Jesus takes action. He is not hiding. He is bold. He does not act like a criminal.
“Who are you seeking?”
Good question for us to consider. Who are you seeking? A temporary fix? Your own will? “religion”? a Savior?
2. Jesus had the power to stop it. (vv. 5-9)
They tell Him they seek Jesus of Nazareth – a mere man.
“I AM” – ego eimi. The word He is italicized meaning the translators added it to help it make sense. Jesus identified Himself as deity. I AM is the name given by God to Moses at the burning bush. Yahweh or Jehovah is His name!
“Judas…with them” – Chosen his side. Where do you stand?
v. 6 – He said “I am” and they fell backwards on the ground.
This fulfilled prophecy of Psalm 40:14.
Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion who seek to destroy my life; Let them be driven backward and brought to dishonor
Who wish me evil. Psalm 40:14
The power of His Word! The same voice that spoke the world into existence just said, “I’m God!”
These soldiers would have been used to people cowering in their presence or begging for mercy, but He knocks them over with 2 one-syllable words!
Jesus has said, “I am” before in the gospels. Once to the woman at the well and a second on the storm-tossed sea with His disciples and each resulted in faith in Him. Here it is met with rejection. It is the same today. To some, He is life and to others death. (2 Cor. 2:16)
To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? 2 Corinthians 2:16
v. 7 – Asks again who they are looking for. After the demonstration of His power He is giving them a chance to walk away but they don’t.
v. 8 – I told you “I am”. “Seek Me (if my name is on arrest warrant) then let these go” as He gestures to disciples.
Jesus is in charge! “If you want Me then let these go.” They say okay.
He is not cowering. He is telling them what to do and they comply.
He speaks as Conqueror, and such He was; for He had thrown them to the ground by a word from His lips. They were about to tie His hands, but before doing so He first tied theirs! –A.W. Pink (1886-1952), Exposition of John
Jesus could have stopped all of this with a word! He had already knocked the soldiers down with just His voice. He tells His disciples as much in Matthew.
Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? Matthew 26:53
12 legions – a legion for each disciple and for Jesus. A legion of angels would consist of 6,000 angels so about 72,000 angels!
But He did not because this is God’s plan for our salvation.
v. 9 – He fulfilled what He had already prayed in John 17:12 and John 10:28.
He protects His disciples right up to the end. He still does that today. You are not alone and forgotten. His eye is on you too.
Here’s the other reason He did not stop them…
3. Jesus chose to obey God. (vv. 10-11)
“Then Simon Peter” – Uh oh. Those are always scary words.
Is he going to say something foolish? Nope. He acts to “save” Jesus. He draws a sword and tries to split a man’s head but misses and cuts off his ear.
The other gospels tell us that Jesus healed the man’s ear – His final miraculous act.
v. 11 – He tells Peter to put away the sword and miraculously Peter is not arrested!
“I must drink the cup the Father gave Me.”
What cup? It is the cup of suffering and the cross. He prayed about it already.
He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”…Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” Matthew 26:39, 42
“I choose to obey the Father. God has given this to Me. It is the only way for man to be saved and His sins forgiven. I must do it.”
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:8
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
Let’s revisit the question I asked earlier. Are you willing to obey God no matter what the cost? Jesus did.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18
Place your will at His disposal and follow His plan. The cup comes from the hand of the Father. That should give you courage and comfort to know that He is aware of what is happening.
Jesus had a cup in his hand, not a sword, but that cup was His scepter.
He was in complete control. --Brian Bell, Pastor, Calvary Chapel, Murrietta, CA
He still is in control and wants to rule and reign in you.
Conclusion: But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. Isaiah 43:1-2a
The waters may seem to overwhelm and defeat you, but follow the example of Jesus. It is when you cross over these waters that you find victory.
Jesus knows what is happening in your life. He has the power to protect you but He wants to know are you willing to obey Him and the Father as they work in your life? The secret to victory is in “crossing dark waters.”
