|
|
Guilt and Grace in the
Garden John 18:1-27
As
we enter our text for this morning the private ministry between Jesus
and His disciples has come to an end. What will happen next is very
public indeed.
Man will do his worst, and God will respond with His very best. “But
where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Rom. 5:20).
I believe that the best way for us to go forward into John 18:1-27, is
to look at the symbols offered and try to grasp the lessons they convey.
So I am going to ask you today to pay close attention to the symbolism
involved. As we have talked about before the Gospel of John is filled
with symbols, some more obvious than others; and these symbols convey
some important spiritual truths. Today we will spend our time looking at
the five symbols in this section.
The Garden—Obedience John 18:1
When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across
the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples
entered.
The Kidron Valley is on the east side of Jerusalem, between the city
wall and the Mount of Olives; and we assume from passages like Luke
22:39 that Jesus often went to this Garden with His disciples, to rest,
meditate, and pray.
At this time of the year Jerusalem was filled with pilgrims attending
the Passover, and Jesus would want to get away from the crowded city to
a private place. He knew that Judas would come for Him there, and He was
ready.
Gardens are an important part of Human history. It all began in a
Garden, and the first sin of man was committed in that Garden. Adam
disobeyed God and was cast out of the Garden; Jesus was obedient as He
went into the Garden of Gethsemane.
In a Garden, Adam brought sin and death to mankind; but Jesus, by His
obedience, brought righteousness and life to all who will trust Him.
Eden was the Garden of disobedience and sin; Gethsemane was the Garden
of obedience and submission.
The name Gethsemane means “oil press.” And I believe that it was an
appropriate name. What a picture of suffering! The Lord would soon go
through the “oil press” and taste our judgment for us.
The Brook Kidron is also significant. The name means “dusky, gloomy,”
referring to the dark waters that were often stained by the blood from
the temple sacrifices. Our Lord and His disciples were about to go
through “dark waters,” and Jesus would experience the “waves and
billows” of God’s wrath.
The Kidron had special historical significance, for King David crossed
the Kidron when he was rejected by his nation and betrayed by his own
son, Absalom. Jesus had been rejected by His people and at that very
moment was being betrayed by one of His own disciples!
Jesus knew what was coming, yet He went to the Garden in obedience to
the Father’s will. In Matthew and Marks Account we notice that He left
eight of the men near the entrance, and took Peter, James, and John and
went to another part of the Garden to pray (Matthew 26:36-46; Mark
14:32-42). I am sure that His human soul longed for the kind of
encouragement and companionship they could give Him at this critical
hour; but, as you remember they went to sleep!
It has always been easy for us to boast about our devotion to Christ,
but when the tests come we usually fail miserably.
The Kiss—Treachery John 18:2-9
2Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met
there with his disciples. 3So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers
and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there
with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4Then Jesus, knowing all that
would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?”
5They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.”
Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6When Jesus said to
them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7So he asked
them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
8Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these
men go.” 9This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those
whom you gave me I have lost not one.”
As an Apostle Judas had lived with the Lord Jesus for approximately
three years. For three years he had walked, listened to his teachings,
saw the miracles, and even performed a miracles or two himself being one
of the 70 sent out by Christ. But after having such a close relationship
with Christ it seems that he knew very little about Him. It is a bit
amusing that he actually brought a company of temple guards, armed with
swords and clubs!
Just think of the privileges Judas despised and the opportunities he
wasted! The word band in could be translated “cohort.” A Roman cohort
was a tenth of a legion, and this would be 600 men! It is not likely
that Judas brought that many to the Garden, but apparently a full cohort
was made available to him had he needed it. After being in the inner
circle of Jesus’ Disciples didn’t he realize that the Lamb of God would
meekly submit and that there would be no need to battle?
I want to remind you though that Jesus was in full control; He knew what
would happen. And while Judas thought he was in control he shows how
little control he actually had. He expected some kind of deception, so
he arranged to identify Jesus by kissing Him. But Jesus shocked both
Judas and the arresting officers by boldly presenting Himself to them.
He had nothing to fear and nothing to hide; He would willingly lay down
His life for His sheep. Furthermore, by surrendering to the officers,
Jesus helped to protect His disciples. He kept them safe not only
spiritually but also physically.
So they say that they are looking for Jesus and Jesus boldly proclaims
that “I am He.” At that announcement the arresting soldiers drew back
and fell to the ground. The Jews present would be struck by His “I AM”
statement, an affirmation of Deity.
The Romans, who were in the majority, would be struck by His demeanor,
for it was obvious that He was in command. It was an emotionally charged
situation, and we do not know what Judas had told them about Jesus to
help prepare them for this confrontation. The Jewish leaders had tried
to have Jesus arrested before and always without success. The band was
prepared for conflict, and when they met with surrender and calm, they
were overwhelmed.
Judas’ kiss, which was given repeatedly to the Lord, was certainly one
of the worst acts of treachery recorded anywhere in history. In that
day, a kiss was a sign of affection and devotion. Members of the family
kissed each other in meeting and in parting, but Judas was not a member
of God’s family.
Disciples greeted a rabbi by kissing him; it was a sign of devotion and
obedience. But Judas was not truly a disciple of Jesus Christ, though he
belonged to the disciple band. In the Garden, Judas stood with the
enemy, not with Jesus’ friends!
When people today pretend to know and love the Lord, they are committing
the sin of Judas. It is bad enough to betray Christ, but to do it with a
kiss, a sign of affection, is the worst treachery of all.
The Sword—Rebellion John 18:10
Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s
servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)
We talked several weeks ago about this scene. I still don’t know the
reason that Peter Drew his sword and started to fight.
Maybe he was trying to Prove to Jesus that he would not deny their
relationship.
Maybe he was trying to get the other disciples to join the fight to save
the messiah.
Or maybe he was confused with Jesus’ message earlier about Swords,
recorded in Luke 22:35-38
And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack
or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” 36He said to
them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a
knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.
37For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he
was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has
its fulfillment.” 38And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.”
And he said to them, “It is enough.”
Let’s look at this hard saying of Christ very quickly before we go
further.
I believe that Jesus was warning them that from now on the situation
would change, and men would treat them as transgressors. He was not
suggesting that they use material swords to fight spiritual battles, but
that they get a new mind-set and expect opposition and even danger. He
had provided for them and protected them while He was with them on
earth, but now He was returning to the Father. They would have to depend
on the Holy Spirit and exercise wisdom.
Whatever reason Peter had for drawing his sword, there is symbolism in
the very act. Peter’s sword symbolizes rebellion against the will of
God. Peter spent the same time with Jesus that Judas did and he should
have known that Jesus would be arrested and that He would willingly
surrender to His enemies.
Peter made every mistake possible! He fought the wrong enemy, used the
wrong weapon, had the wrong motive, and accomplished the wrong result!
He was openly resisting the will of God and hindering the work that
Jesus came to accomplish! While we admire his courage and sincerity, it
was certainly a demonstration of zeal without knowledge.
Jesus did not need Peter’s protection. He could have summoned legions of
angels had He wanted to be delivered. Luke tells us that Jesus healed
Malchus’ ear, which was certainly an act of grace on His part.
It was gracious from Peter’s point of view; for had He not healed
Malchus, Peter might have been arrested and crucified! Peter was acting
like one of the Jewish “zealots” and not like a disciple of Jesus
Christ.
But it was also an act of grace toward Malchus. After all, he was only a
servant; and why worry about what happens to a servant? He was also an
enemy, standing with the men who came to arrest Jesus; so he ought to
suffer! Instead, He healed him! It was our Lord’s last public miracle
before the cross.
Keep in mind that this miracle reveals His grace toward us. If Jesus had
the power to stun an armed mob and heal a severed ear, He could have
saved Himself from arrest, trial, and death. But He willingly submitted!
And He did it for us!
It is a sad thing when well-meaning but ignorant Christians take up the
sword to “defend” the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter hurt Malchus, something
no believer should do. Peter hurt the testimony of Christ and gave the
false impression that His disciples hate their enemies and try to
destroy them.
The Cup—Submission John 18:11-14
So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not
drink the cup that the Father has given me?” 12So the band of soldiers
and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound
him. 13First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of
Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14It was Caiaphas who had
advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for
the people.
Peter had a sword in his hand, but our Lord had a cup in His hand. Peter
was resisting God’s will but the Savior was accepting God’s will.
Earlier, Jesus had prayed, “O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup
pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt” (Matt.
26:39).
I do not believe that Jesus was praying that the cross would be taken
from Him. The cup represented the suffering He would endure and the
separation from the Father that He would experience on the cross. He
prayed this prayer three times, and He was sensitive to the price He
would pay for our salvation. His holy soul must have been stirred to the
depths when He contemplated being made sin!
Jesus was able to accept the cup because it was mixed by the Father and
given to Him from the Father’s hand. He did not resist the Father’s
will, because He came to do the Father’s will and finish the work the
Father gave Him to do.
Jesus deliberately gave Himself to His enemies. They bound Him and led
Him to the house of Annas, which was not too far away. Annas had served
as high priest until he was deposed by the Romans; now his son-in-law
Caiaphas was the high priest. The “trial” before Annas was more like an
informal hearing. It was illegal and it was brutal. Imagine a guard
being allowed to strike a prisoner! Imagine a man not holding an office
interrogating a prisoner!
Annas, of course, was looking for some kind of evidence on which to base
an accusation that would lead to a verdict of capital punishment. What
doctrine was Jesus teaching? Was it subversive? Jesus told him to ask
the people who listened to Him, because He had said nothing secretly. In
fact, Annas himself could have come and listened!
Jewish law demanded that witnesses be called before a prisoner was
questioned. Annas defied this law, and eventually the council hired
false witnesses. Jesus knew His rights, but He did not insist on them.
The Fire—Denial John 18:15-27
15Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that
disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the
court of the high priest, 16but Peter stood outside at the door. So the
other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to
the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. 17The
servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this
man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18Now the servants and
officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were
standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and
warming himself. 19The high priest then questioned Jesus about his
disciples and his teaching. 20Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly
to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple,
where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21Why do
you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know
what I said.” 22When he had said these things, one of the officers
standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer
the high priest?” 23Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear
witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike
me?” 24Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. 25Now
Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You
also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I
am not.” 26One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man
whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden
with him?” 27Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.
Jesus had predicted that Peter would deny Him three times, but that he
would be restored. Peter followed the crowd when he should have been
fleeing. Had he gone his way, he would never have denied the Lord. While
we certainly admire his love and courage, we cannot agree with his
actions; for he walked right into temptation. This is what Jesus warned
him about.
We do not know who the other disciple was who went with Peter into the
courtyard of the home of the high priest. It was probably John, though
it is difficult to understand how a fisherman could be acquainted with
the high priest and his household. It may have been Nicodemus or Joseph
of Arimathea, since they would certainly have access to this home.
As you watch Peter, you see him gradually moving into the place of
temptation and sin; and his actions parallel the description in Psalm
1:1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor
stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
First, Peter walked “in the counsel of the ungodly” when he followed
Jesus and went into the high priest’s courtyard. Then, Peter stood with
the enemy by the fire and before long, he sat with the enemy. It was now
too late and within a short time, he would deny his Lord three times.
First, a servant girl asked, “Art not thou also one of this Man’s
disciples?” The Greek text indicates that she expected a negative
answer, and that is what she got! Peter denied Christ by denying that he
belonged to the band of disciples.
Peter remained by the fire, and it is no wonder that he was approached
again. Another servant girl asked the same question, again expecting a
negative reply. And Once Again he did not disappoint them.
The third question came from one of Malchus’ relatives! This time it is
worded in a way that indicates that he expected an affirmative answer.
After all, this man had gotten a good look at Peter because he was
probably standing with Malchus when Jesus was arrested.
At that point, Peter’s resistance broke down completely. He began to
“curse and swear”. This does not mean that Peter let loose a volley of
blasphemies, but rather that he put himself under a curse in order to
emphasize his statement. He was on trial, so he put himself under an
oath to convince his accusers that he was telling the truth.
It was at that point that the rooster began to crow just as Jesus had
predicted. The crowing of the rooster was assurance to Peter that Jesus
was totally in control of the situation, even though He was bound and
being harassed by the authorities. By controlling one bird, Jesus
affirmed His sovereignty.
But the rooster crowing was also an invitation to repentance. “When thou
art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:32). Luke tells us that
Jesus turned and looked at Peter (Luke 22:61), and this look of love
broke Peter’s heart. Peter had been a witness of Christ’s sufferings and
by his own denials he added to those sufferings.
In the Garden that night, you would find both guilt and grace. Peter was
guilty of resisting God’s will. Judas was guilty of the worst kind of
treachery. The mob was guilty of rejecting the Son of God and treating
Him as though He were the lowest kind of criminal.
But Jesus was gracious! He crossed the Kidron, fully conscious that
Judas was betraying Him. He went into the Garden of Gethsemane
surrendered to the Father’s will. He healed Malchus’ ear. He protected
His disciples. He yielded Himself into the hands of sinners that He
might suffer and die for us.
“Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all!”
What is in your hand today—the sword, or the cup?
|
