IN THE GARDEN
JOHN 18:1-11
Introduction:
The Lord had finished His prayer to the Father and had eaten the Passover with His disciples. He also instituted the Lord’s Supper after Judas Iscariot had departed on his mission to betray the Lord.
Now He goes over the brook Cedron, which runs between the Temple in Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives, to pray in the garden of Gethsemane, v. 1. He had set His face to fulfill the will of the Father.
I. JESUS IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE
A. Jesus went to pray, Luke 22:41-44, “And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
1. Here in the garden He separates Himself a bit from the disciples, Matthew 26:36, “Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.”
a. Here alone Jesus begins to suffer for our sins, Luke 22:44, “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
b. Here it was that God send His angel to strengthen His Son, Luke 22:43, “And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.”
2. Here in the garden we see His determination to do the Father’s will, Luke 22:42, “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”
B. Jesus went to be betrayed, vs. 2-5.
1. It was Jesus’ custom to retire at night to the Mount of Olives when in Jerusalem; there his quarters were, in the skirts of the city. This was much like Daniel, Daniel 6:10, “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”
a. David had prophesied this, Psalm 110:7, “He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.”
b. The Brook Cedron, the black brook, so called either from the darkness of the valley it ran through or the color of the water, tainted with the dirt of the city; is typical of His suffering.
2. Judas knew the place where Jesus went to pray, v. 2.
a. Judas was very intimate with Jesus knowing where he went to pray, Luke 21:37, “And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.”
b. Many know about Jesus, but like Judas they don’t know Him in their heart, 2 Peter 2:21, “For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it , to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.”
C. Jesus is betrayed, v. 3; Matthew 26:47-49, “And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. 49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.”
1. Judas was guide to them that took Jesus, Acts 1:16, “Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.”
2. Here with Judas was a great multitude; that the scripture might be fulfilled, vs. 3; Psalm 3:1, “LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.”
“The soldiers . . . officials from the chief priests, and Pharisees united in their hostility toward Jesus. The detachment of Roman soldiers was a cohort (speiran, 10th part of a legion), which here included about 600 men.” The Bible Knowledge Commentary.
3. Peter intervened, but the Lord stopped him, vs. 10-11, “Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. 11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?”
CONCLUSION:
The Lord Jesus all the way knew exactly what was going to happen. His courage was second to none, as was His determination to fulfill the will of His Father.