The Arrest of Jesus
John 18:1-14
Following Jesus’s prayer in the garden, the events unfold quickly (setup for Sun)
Re: This is at night, following Passover supper; after time spent in prayer
∆ Jesus Identifies and Surrenders
In the garden, where a powerful time of prayer is finished, a group comes to Him
This is an unusual group: soldiers AND officials of the chief priests
Consider: Soldiers and Officials rarely had much to do with one another
Soldiers kept law and order; officials taught and served in the synagogue
It is obvious that it is at night (torches and lanterns)
And some of these carried weapons (shows they are prepared for a fight)
Jesus approaches and asks, “Who is it you want?” (v4)
IMP: He already knew what they wanted, but they had to say it
APP: Sometimes God wants you to ask, even though He already knows
When they answer, He does as well, and notice their response (v6)
The Bible tells us they fall to the ground; lots of speculation why
Perhaps it was out of reverence, I feel it’s the authority in the “I am” …
But, their response really indicates who is in charge of this moment
APP: When the fight is before you, God is still the authority …
Again Jesus asks who they want, and again they respond that it’s Him (v7)
So He reminds them again that He is, and asks for pardon for the others
Consider: Perhaps He saw their hearts (re: carrying weapons) and knew
Now, v9 gives us a curious look back at scripture we’ve seen:
John 6:39, “And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.”
John sees this is a clear scriptural tie in – he does not miss this moment
Jesus has completely surrendered Himself to these guards; He is the substitute
Huge: He steps in front of the danger; He is the atonement; surrenders
Take a moment to grasp this: He places Himself in front of them (and us)
