1 “When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered.”
When Jesus passed over this brook, it must have stirred many emotions in him. When I think of a brook, I think of the streams that ran down the small canyons near the edge of our farm where I grew up. The water was clear though it had seeped from the irrigated pastures and fields. However, the Kidron didn’t have clear water. The word comes from the Hebrew that means black. During the summer, it would be dry except for the fact that it also served as the sewer system for Jerusalem. There was also a channel leading from the Temple to the brook that carried away the blood from the sacrifices.
This was the brook that David and his followers had to cross when they fled from Absolom (2 Sam 15:23). This was where the priests carried the defilement of the Temple when Hezekiah restored the Temple to worship the Lord instead of the idols of his father Ahaz (2 Chron 29). To Jesus, this seemingly innocuous trip across this streambed would have reminded him of the punishment for the evils of mankind that he was about to bear. It would remind him that his blood would soon be poured out. It would remind him of the evils of fallen men as the stench of sin fills the nostrils of God from the idol worship. The wrath of God would soon be poured out on Jesus as he took on the sins of mankind to be their once for all atonement.
In the quiet of the garden, Jesus would be with his disciple for only a little while. They didn’t realize how short the time was when Jesus told them they wouldn’t see him in a little while (John 16:16).
2 “And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. 3 Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.”
Here is the garden where Jesus met with his disciples to teach and have sweet fellowship. It reminds me of the song by C. Austin Miles, “In the Garden.”[1] In the lyrics, the author says he comes to the garden alone where he walks and talks and is told that he is His own. The joy they share, none other has known.
What was going on in Judas’ mind when they came this time not with the other disciples but leading a band of soldiers? Did he think of the times when Jesus conveyed his love to him? Did he remember the times of fellowship? Did Judas ever feel joy in Jesus’ presences? What about the time when he was sent out with another disciple to preach the word? Did he have joy as the others reported when they came back (Luke 10:17)?
Apparently, his joy had more to do with his place in a kingdom that he realized would never happen unless Jesus was forced to show his hand. His disillusionment in Jesus’ earthly kingdom and his desire for wealth led him to get thirty pieces of silver instead of eternal life and no part in Jesus’ eternal kingdom.
The place was familiar to all the disciples but not to the authorities. This brings me back to the song and to what it means to abide in Jesus (John 15:5). In the song, he comes to the garden alone. While the disciples gathered as a group, I’m sure there were plenty of alone moments for each with Jesus during his three years with them. However, this must apply to us as well. We come to Jesus during our worship services and Bible study groups, but how often do we come to Jesus alone. Just to hear his voice through his word or to talk with him in prayer? The song mentions his voice being disclosed by the Son of God. When we seek Jesus and God the Father, he will guide us and lead us. Contrary to the song, all Christians can share in that joy.
But, alas, Judas is coming with the manmade light of touches and lamps. He is seeking the light of the world with his own light. The Pharisees and chief priests are seeking to snuff out the light of the world with their weapons. How foolish to think that weapons can conquer our Lord Jesus. This evil that inhabited these people will again convince people that they will be able to use physical means to vanquish Jesus. But there is no real battle when Jesus comes back. At the word of Jesus, they will be wiped out. “And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh” (Rev 19:21 ESV). Then again Satan will gather people to try to destroy Jesus in Revelation 20:7-9. This time they are simply destroyed by fire from heaven.
4 “Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, ‘Whom are you seeking?’ 5 They answered Him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I am He.’ And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. 6 Now when He said to them, ‘I am He,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.”
Who do you seek and why do you seek him? Many people are seeking God but their motives and their methods reveal that they are inherently seeking not God but what God can do for them. They want eternal life or nirvana, oneness with the universe, eternal peace for themselves. They don’t really want to have anything to do with Jesus. When this small army wants to take Jesus because he is getting in the way of what they want, they think they are in control. But just two words in the Greek, egó eímai, I Am, knocks back the forces of evil so they fell to the ground. The two words that Jesus used to identify himself with the Father and assuring his listeners that he indeed claimed to be God incarnate should have been enough for them to either bow in worship or turn tail and run. But stubborn human beings dig in and persist in trying to maintain control of their lives when the one true God who is sovereign over all demonstrate his power and control.
7 “Then He asked them again, ‘Whom are you seeking?’ And they said, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ 8 Jesus answered, ‘I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,’ 9 that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, ‘Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.’”
Jesus is still in control, but he knows that Scripture must be fulfilled, including his own words. Jesus knows they will carry out their mission but rather than treating them how they deserve, Jesus graciously gives them one more opportunity to repent and leave. Unfortunately, they are just like most people who have heard about Jesus but refuse to bow their knee to him.
Even in these circumstances, Jesus is still looking out for his true disciples. His obvious demonstration of power must have disoriented the soldiers because they are still standing around doing nothing. His true followers will not be lost. Just as Jesus saved the eleven along with Mark, (Mark 14:51-52) he will save each one of us whom the Father has given to Jesus. The Father has chosen us for salvation and there is nothing in all creation that will keep us from coming to Jesus or take us away from Jesus.
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. 11 So Jesus said to Peter, ‘Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?’”
Peter’s courage outweighs his caution as he whacks off Malchus’ ear. God is so gracious to keep Peter from doing any permanent harm. While we may think this is very courageous of Peter, it also points to his still misconception of what Jesus came to do. In Matthew 16:21-23, Jesus clearly told Peter what was going to happen to him in Jerusalem. At that time, Peter rebuked Jesus say that it would never happen. Jesus told him that he was setting his mind on the things of man instead of the things of God. In this instance, Peter is setting his hand against the things of God.
Once again, Jesus must remind Peter that Scripture must be fulfilled. It isn’t just about keeping the disciples safe, but it is about following God’s decree. Of course, it wasn’t until the Holy Spirit came that Peter fully understood as he preached, “This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men” (Acts 2:23 ESV).
When we are going through difficulties in our lives and things don’t make sense, we should remember that Jesus is in control. He was following God’s plan then and he is doing it now. God’s definite plan can’t be thwarted. Job emerged from his trials only after God showed him his sovereignty, omnipotence, omniscience, and wisdom. Job replied to God, “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2 ESV). Trust God to be in control.
Then Scripture was fulfilled as Mark records, “And they all left him and fled” (Mark 14:50 ESV).
