John 18:1-14

John 18:1. When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron,

A dark, foul brook, through which flowed the blood and refuse from the temple. King David crossed that brook one night in bitter sorrow; and now the Saviour crossed it when it was near to midnight: «He went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron.»

John 18:1. Where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.

Our Lord went there to pray, and Judas knew that this was his custom. Are we such men of prayer that others know where we pray? Have you some familiar place where you go to meet your Lord? I am afraid that many know where we trade, and many know where we preach, but perhaps, few know where we pray. God grant that we may be often at the mercy-seat! We should be better men and women if we were more frequently at the throne of grace.

John 18:3. Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.

«Lanterns» to give light to the Sun, «torches» to find out the Light of the world; «Weapons» with which to fight with the Lamb of God, the unarmed Sufferer. Strange treatment this for him who came to save and bless!

John 18:4. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should came upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he.

Or, «I am.» It is remarkable that Jesus should, in his betrayal, twice use this expression, thus uttering the very name of Jehovah.

John 18:5. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.

What a hardened wretch he must have been to be able to stand with them! One would have thought that, having betrayed his Master, he would have hidden himself away for shame, but no, «Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.» His heart must have been steeled.

John 18:6. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

Christ's almighty power cast them down at once. He needed not to lift his hand or even his finger; he only said, «I am,» and «they went backward, and fell to the ground.»

John 18:7. Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye, And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.

Do they return again to the fray? Having once felt Christ's divine power, do they summon courage enough to attack him again? Yes, for there is no limit to the malice and impudence of the human heart.

John 18:8. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: that the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none. Then Simon Peter

Always ready to boil over, ever full of zeal and rash impetuosity, Peter

John 18:10. Having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.

Peter struck at his head; he was not content with trying to wound, he meant to kill Malchus, and he did «cut off his right ear.»

John 18:11. Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, and led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

Saying a great deal more than he thought he was saying, for he uttered a great Gospel truth when he said, «It was expedient that one man should die for the people.»

This exposition consisted of readings from John 17:1; John 18:1.