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.
Began to be “grieved”(physical or emotional pain or sorrow) and “distressed” (intense pain, excessive concern). My soul is “deeply grieved” (profound physical or emotional pain or sorrow) to the point of death” Mark says he began to be “very distressed” (greatly or utterly astonished) and “distressed” (same as above). Luke writes, being in “agony” (conflict, tension, internal conflict)
Jesus expressed His pain with the disciples an asked them to “keep watch” with Him. The humanity of Jesus nearly crowds out the divinity of Jesus here. The one who holds all things together by the word of His power seems to be falling apart and pleads for the support of his closest companions at a most agonizing period in His life.
He asks them to “keep on watching”(Be alert, keep watch, be vigilant)
He asks them to “keep on praying” (to ask, or call upon God)
Jesus then finds a place about a stones throw away to talk to the Father alone. Fully aware of what was about to unfold, Jesus fell to the ground for the first of three pleas to His Father – Abba (daddy). There was actually only one plea presented three times. Jesus first acknowledged the Father’s ability to do anything. Next Jesus requested to avoid drinking “this cup”. Finally Jesus humbly submitted to the Father’s will including drinking “this cup”. “Not My will but Your will be done!”
What is this cup? The cup of God’s wrath against sin.
Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. "And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name." Rev. 14:9-11
Jesus is about to face the full measure of God’s wrath.
He(The Father) made Him(Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor. 5:21
Jesus pleaded with the Father to avoid the horrendous assignment of taking on the sin and guilt of the entire world and experiencing the separation associated with sin against God for the first time in eternity. He probably dreaded the physical and emotional pain that was about to crash in upon Him but above all desired to avoid the defilement of sin and wickedness soon to be set upon Him.
After an undisclosed period of time talking with the Father, Jesus returned to the disciples who he asked to watch and pray with Him, and found them sleeping. A simple question cut to the core. “Couldn’t you watch with me just one hour?” After a second plea to watch with him and pray to avoid temptation, Jesus acknowledged the willingness of the spirit but the weakness of the flesh. Then He left them to enter into a second conversation with His Father.
He appeals again to the Father for a pass on the pain but willingly submits to the eternal plan. Being in intense internal conflict an angel from God arrives to strengthen Him.
He certainly did not draw any encouragement or strength from the sleeping disciples.
With renewed strength he prays even more earnestly until sweat comes from His pours like drops of blood. (Luke the physician comments on this physical detail.)
The passages actually does not say he sweat blood but that the sweat fell like drops of blood. The writer of Hebrews provides some insight into the intensity of the agony of this conversation with God.
In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. Hebrews 5:7
What a lesson for us. The more intense the pain the more fervent the prayer!
Jesus returned to the disciples a second time and found them sleeping. The text offers a bit of insight into their behavior. Because of excessive sorrow and heavy eyes. (After 2 AM)
Often, stressful situation drain ones energy and strength. These disciples were overcome with sleep, as they were emotionally exhausted. Jesus instructed them again to wake up and pray to avoid temptation. The disciples didn’t know how to respond.
A third time Jesus repeated his conversation with the Father. The intention was the same.
“I would sure like to get out from under this cloud of despair and impending doom but I am more desirous to do Your will.” The third return to the disciples found them sleeping once again. This time Jesus instructed them to get up and prepare for the coming of the betrayer. The Shepherd is about to be struck and the sheep are about to scatter.
b) A bitter betrayal 3-11
Judas then, having received the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons.
Between all of these “officials” out to arrest Jesus somewhere around 2 in the morning, you could have had a crowd of nearly 1000 people carrying weapons and torches. From pitch black to a torch lit garden. Why so many? Jesus was perceived as great prophet.
Perhaps stories of previous encounters with prophets crossed their minds. Fire from heaven fried two separate groups of fifty soldiers trying to arrest Elijah. The disciples asked on at least one occasion to call down fire to consumer their enemies. The miraculous works of Jesus was legendary. Perhaps so many so that no one could escape in the darkness. The murderous mob moves in behind Judas awaiting the prearranged signal.
Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him." Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, "Hail, Rabbi!" and kissed Him. And Jesus said to him, "Friend, for what purpose have you come.” Are you betraying the Son of man with a kiss.
Perhaps it was those words that reverberated in Judas’ thoughts later driving him to take his own life. Although Jesus will willingly submit to the harshest of treatment at the hands of his enemies, He even now remains in charge and boldly confronts the mob.
So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to them, "Whom do you seek?" They answered Him, "Jesus the Nazarene." He said to them, "I am." And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. So when He said to them, "I am," they drew back and fell to the ground.
As a healthy reminder of His real authority and power, they all blew backwards to the ground at the mere mention of his eternal name. Don’t miss the drama here! One thousand fully armed soldiers carrying torches and lanterns knocked to the ground simply by the sound of the name for God given to Abraham thousands of years previous.
Jesus allowed them to regain their composure and put out the fires and asked them again.
Therefore He again asked them, "Whom do you seek?" And they said, "Jesus the Nazarene." Jesus answered, "I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way," to fulfill the word which He spoke, "Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one." John 18:7-9
This was not a request but a command. Jesus is still in charge. Jesus focuses attention on protection of his own. John records next an abrupt burst of careless courage from Peter.
Peter’s impulsive act here could have brought immediate destruction upon them all.
Lacking the eternal perspective gained through intense prayer, Peter reacted out of his limited fleshly capacity. Do the math! Count the swords! Disciples 2. Soldiers at least 600. This is not even reasonable warfare. We have the net experts verses the weapons experts. It should have been clear from the earlier divine “shock wave” that Jesus can certainly care for himself.
Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave's name was Malchus.
Peter most likely intended to split the scull and missed. Jesus intervened and once again saved the disciples from physical harm. Luke the physician of course commented on the fact that Jesus put the slave’s ear back on. This is the only record of a healed fresh wound. Think of the impact such a supernatural act would make in any crowd.
Blood spurting all over the place
Blood curdling screams from Malchus
Yet it appears to have no affect whatsoever on this hardened murder-bent crowd. Not only Judas but also the entire group was devil-driven to destroy the promised “Seed” sent to bruise his evil head. The path is set. The cup is being filled.
Satan determined to eliminate the clear threat to the establishment of his kingdom on earth. He was not about to relinquish his hold on the human race. He would not give up his power of sin and death. He would use it to secure his position as prince of the power of the air and the earth.
John records Jesus’ comments to Peter.
So Jesus said to Peter, "Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?"John 18:10-11
The time for fighting with the King of Kings had not yet arrived. The entire armies of heaven await My command. Yet the time is not yet. I have yet to willingly drink the cup given me by the father and therefore it is not the time for the sword of men or of angels but the sorrow of the son of man. The angels of heaven must, perhaps for the first time, stand down and merely watch.
The day for the sword will yet come.
Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. And the one sitting on the horse was named Faithful and True. For he judges fairly and then goes to war. His eyes were bright like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him, and only he knew what it meant. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in pure white linen, followed him on white horses. From his mouth came a sharp sword, and with it he struck down the nations. He ruled them with an iron rod, and he trod the winepress of the fierce wrath of almighty God. On his robe and thigh was written this title: King of kings and Lord of lords. Rev. 19:11-16
Luke records Jesus’ comments to the mob.
Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders who had come against Him, "Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against a robber? "While I was with you daily in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me; but this hour and the power of darkness are yours. Lu 22:52-53
For now this King of kings must continue the path of pain so secure the path of triumph. This early morning mob consisting of both Jews and Gentiles then arrested Jesus, tied him up and led him away while the disciples, according to Mark’s account, “abandoned Him and fled.” The Creator bound by the creature. The Sinless bound by sinners. Omnipotence led away by incompetence.
Even the arrest of Jesus was unlawful.
• It was at night against the Sanhedrin’s prohibition of any criminal proceedings after sunset.
• It was conducted on the word of one accomplice operating off of a bribe.
• The very court trying Jesus participated in the arrest and they also hired the betrayer.
For the next 7-8 hours we track Jesus through a series of equally unconventional religious and legal proceedings resulting in a most unfathomable death. There will be three religious interrogations and three legal or political proceedings interspersed with perhaps six self-protecting denials by the one who swore allegiance to the death. So what can we draw from our walk with Jesus on the path of pain so far?
Points to Ponder
We learn from watching Jesus.
Through willing obedience the eternal Christ embraced human flesh in order to restore the relationship forfeited by Adam through willful disobedience.
• Jesus experienced the deepest sense of pain with much more to come.
Don’t you say that Jesus doesn’t understand what you are going through!
Don’t think that because he was God, Jesus didn’t struggle.
In his humanity He deeply felt every bit and more the struggle of a fallen world.
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16
How much pain are we willing to endure in order to obey God or minister to others?
fix y our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:2-3
…while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. 1 Peter 2:23-24
• Jesus went to the Father in his darkest hour.
Where do we go when we are distressed and troubled?
• Jesus committed Himself to the will of the Father in spite of a personal ache to avoid pain.
What pains are we willing to endure to faithfully carry out the will of God?
• The more Jesus hurt, the harder Jesus prayed.
What do we do when the hurt and struggle and internal conflict intensifies?
• Jesus demonstrated greater concern for the welfare of others than for His own personal comfort and support. (Not pray for me, but pray that you don’t enter into temptation.)
(Let these men go!)
What is our response when people fail to support us like we think they should?
Are concerned more about their welfare or ours?
We learn from the disciples.
• Physical limitations often overwhelm the best of intentions.
In their weakened spiritual condition, these disciples were not able to pray for an hour.
They fall prey to fatigue and fret. They have not yet learned to pray. Later we find them praying continually and for extended periods of time.
Have we?
• Prayer guards against temptation.
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. 1 Cor. 10:13
Often that “way of escape” is prayer.
How often do we take His escape route to endurance?
• Lack of words with God (prayer) prevents wisdom with men.
We do impetuous things. We move ahead of God.
We operate in our own strength and make things worse.
We must get with the eternal plan.
We must find out where God is working and join His program lest we find ourselves alone against 1000 swords.
Embrace Jesus. Take time to thank Him for staying on the path.
Jesus learned obedience through the things he suffered. Perfected through suffering.
He became our faithful Apostle and High Priest.
Thoughts and Promptings from God for this week
