John 18:6

John 18:6

Judas and His Bond

I. In the occurrence before us, we have a remarkable proof that, whilst Christ would not thwart the purposes of His enemies who thirsted for His blood, He was resolved to do enough to render them inexcusable in putting Him to death. The foreknowledge of the Redeemer quite informed Him of all that was to happen of the obstinacy with which His death would be sought, of the cruelty with which it would be compassed; but His foreknowledge did not interfere any more than it does in regard to any amongst ourselves, with the making every endeavour, consistent with human accountableness, to deter from wickedness, and to take away every excuse from those who persevered in its commission. The miracle actually wrought was exactly adapted to this. It went so far as to make those miserable who laid hands on Christ, but not so far as to frustrate their impious design.

II. It hardly ever happens that you commit any great sin without experiencing great resistance. I can promise the sinner that he will be withstood in his career; ay, so fearfully withstood that, as though it came on him as a voice mingling with the thunder in the heavens, he shall be prostrated to the ground, and there lie for a moment terror-stricken and confounded. And this moment will be just the turning-point in life for him. The man must not look to be kept on the ground; the mastery of conviction will release its stronghold, and he will again feel himself at liberty to rise and what will he do then? Saul was struck to the ground, but he rose not from the earth without first foregoing his persecuting purpose, saying unto Jesus, "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" And Judas was struck to the earth, but he rose but to renew his traitorous attack, to make fresh quest after Jesus, whom he was determined to seize. The man in question may imitate Saul, or He may imitate Judas. He must not look for further opposition. If he rise from the earth to take another step towards crime, the likelihood is, that his path will be smooth, and he will be suffered to proceed without molestation. Be fearful of nothing so much as the being left to sin undisturbed. Come anything rather than the power of wrong-doing with ease.

H. Melvill, Penny Pulpit,No. 1868 (see also Voices of the Year,vol. i., p. 311).

References: John 18:6. Homilist,vol. v., p. 28; Parker, Cavendish Pulpit,vol. i., p. 141; W. F. Hook, Sermons on the Miracles,vol. ii., p. 227; J. M. Neale, Sermons in a Religious House,vol. ii., p. 583. Joh 18:8. Spurgeon, Morning by Morning,p. 86. John 18:8; John 18:9. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. xii., No. 722. Joh 18:10, John 18:11. Homiletic Quarterly,vol. i., p. 72. Joh 18:11. A. P. Peabody, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xi., p. 341; Homiletic Magazine,vol. xix., p. 118. John 18:11. Homiletic Magazine,vol. xiv., p. 24 3 John 1:11. Homiletic Quarterly,vol. i., p. 7 3 John 1:12. Homilist,2nd series, vol. iv., p. 169. John 18:15. Preacher's Monthly,vol. x., p. 72. Joh 18:15-18. A. B. Bruce, The Training of the Twelve,pp. 469, 485.John 18:15. W. Milligan, Expositor,2nd series, vol. iv., p. 372. Joh 18:17. W. M. Taylor, Christian World Pulpit,vol. x., p. 72, (see also Three Hundred Outlines on the New Testament,p. 98). John 18:19. W. Hanna, Last Days of our Lord's Passion,p. 50.