1 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden, into which He Himself entered, and His disciples. 2 Now Judas also, who was betraying Him, knew the place; for Jesus had often met there with His disciples. 3 Judas then, having received the [Roman] cohort, and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to them, "Whom do you seek?" 5 They answered Him, "Jesus the Nazarene." He said to them, "I am [He]," they drew back, and fell to the ground. 7 Again therefore He asked them, "Whom do you seek?" And they said, "Jesus the Nazarene." 8 Jesus answered, "I told you that I am [He], if therefore you seek Me, let these [go] their way," 9 that the word might be fulfilled which He spoke, "Of those whom Thou hast given Me I lost not one."
Message: The Arrest of Jesus
Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."
What the Lord is Saying: It has been almost a month since I have done a lesson in John. Spoke in Sunday school and then took me time reading through articles in Tabletalk and documenting them. In that time, God has taught me a lot and it is always good to be in His word and study it, but also has been good in this last month to take it slower.
John 14-17 was great, the Farewell Discourse, but now we move to the description of Jesus' arrest, the first and second Jewish trial before arrest, the first and second trial before Pilate, the crucifixion, the burial, the resurrection, Christ approves the disciples, appears to them, and speaks to Peter. It will be interesting to see how John relates these events. For the last 4 chapter I have been knee deep in the Words of Jesus, but now it will move to more descriptions by John, but also Jesus words.
Verse 1 begins with, "When Jesus had spoken these words" referring to the discourse He gave to the disciples and His prayer. Jesus proceeds to a garden with his disciples. Judas is not mentioned as a part o this group, for the text mentions Judas separately, as one who did know of the garden. Judas brings with him the Roman authorities with the chief priests and officers. Jesus asks them whom they seek and they remark Jesus and He admits it is Him. They fall to the ground. Jesus asks again letting them know that Jesus is who they seek, not the disciples so let them go their way.
At first glance of this passage, I wonder as to why those seeking Him fell to the ground. And Jesus also focuses on the idea He is the one they seek, not the disciples, though they follow Him. Significant then, but not significant now, for Christ's followers now seem to be as guilty before men.
Tabletalk relates that this garden could have been the garden of a wealthy man who allows Jesus to use it when Jesus and the disciples were in town. It is interesting that some 2,000 years ago and probably longer ago, gardens were places of refuge for people to assemble in. The Bible begins with a garden. That these places exist and are akin to all types of people seems significant. Even today, we have elaborate places like this in which people love to go to and see how they are decorated or set up. Their beauty brings to us some sort of comfort and joy and peace. We need this retreat in our lives. I think of Mrs. Hooten in Sunday School and her house with the elaborate garden. And the movie Notting Hill where they meet, fall in love and then end the movie sitting in. We have recently set up a place to sit and rest outside, a pergola area. Again, that we have these places and retreat to them. That rest or enjoyment is necessary in our lives and yet the surroundings are not a television or radio or the arts, but instead God's natural creation.
Verse 4 remarks that "Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him." This has been consistent from Jesus. He knew this day was coming, but He also was waiting for the appropriate time. And now at this time, He is arrested, but willingly, admitting He is the one they seek.
Verse 6 mentions that upon the Roman and Jewish authorities seeing that the one before them was Jesus, the "I am" that "they drew back, and fell to the ground." It is interesting that this would have occurred. Alexander MacLaren (1826-1910) suggests that some think this is a miracle, that they would fall down acknowledging that Jesus is God. Either way, it is significant that they fell down. Perhaps there was some sort of manifestation of God that caught these men by surprise but when it occurred they instinctively fell down. That in that moment, there would be a manifestation seems significant. Jesus was willingly letting Himself be arrested and yet in this arrest, was even mentioning possibly of the significance of it all.
Summary: Jesus heads to a garden and Judas leads Roman/Jewish officials to Jesus in the garden, then they fall down to the ground and Jesus surrenders to be arrested.
Promise: Jesus is in full control of the events of the crucifixion.
Prayer: Lord, you are God and King and your are eternal. You know Your goal to redeem mankind and what it entails. You are never out of control but know what will occur and you submit and surrender to it willingly. Thank You for the simple reminder of a garden, an oasis of refuge even I need and the importance of getting away to retreat, rest and regroup. Thank you Jesus for shining forth the Glory of God and showing Us clearly you are God. Keep Me in Your name. And thank you that when people see me and don't like me, you deflect things to You and trying to make me believe it is not about me, but disliking You. You remind me that You have my best in mind at all times.
Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.
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