May 29, 2022
John 18:1-11
The story of Jesus' arrest in the garden of Gethsemane appears in all four gospels, but the details in the gospel of John are virtually only in John. In his gospel, John is interested in presenting the deity of Christ and that deity is on display when Judas and the others came to arrest Jesus.
We see, in this account, the authority of Jesus. Though the arresting group was large, and though they had weapons, Jesus is completely in charge of the situation. Upon His asking whom the Roman soldiers were seeking, they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." When Jesus declared, "I am he," these soldiers, and the others with them, fell to the ground (Jn 18:5,6). Such authority belongs to God the Son.
Second, in this account we see the willingness of Jesus to give Himself to death. He went to Gethsemane knowing exactly what was going to unfold there (Jn 18:4). Knowing the wrath of God was to be the cup Jesus must drink, He readily accepted it (Jn 18:11).
Third, in this account we see the compassion Jesus has for His own, "Jesus answered, 'I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.' This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: 'Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one'" (Jn 18:8,9). Jesus is intent on caring for His own, both now and in the ages to come.