Chapter 18 begins John's account of Christ's final hours before His crucifixion. These chapters are hard for me, because my vivid imagination paints an all to real picture of the events that are to follow. As I have said, I like to put myself in the disciple's sandals as I read the gospels, but here, at the culmination of all the work Jesus did here on earth, I falter. Like Jesus in the verse above, I know the "things that should come upon Him". My human mind shrinks from thoughts of the torture and the abuse to come. My heart cries out in sympathy for the anguish He will endure. I don't want to see this part first hand.
Jesus, however, has strength and courage enough for both of us. Like the Good Shepherd that He is, He goes forth. He does not wait for the wolves that are coming to attack. He goes boldly forward to meet them. Jesus knows the battle that is before Him will be difficult, but He also knows that His victory is assured! He does not cower in the shadows, He confidently steps out to protect and serve His Flock. We can learn much from His example and, from the safety of His flock, we too can become Bold.
So going boldly on, let us study this part of our christian history... Jesus has finished His prayer, and He crosses over the bridge and enters the Garden of Gethsemane. Verse 2 tells us that this is a familiar place for Jesus and his disciples, often visited during His time in Jerusalem. Judas knows where Jesus is most likely to be and he is even now gathering the force that is to capture Him. We know that some time passed here in the garden, but John doesn't record that since it is covered by the other three gospels. He skips ahead to the confrontation.
Judas enters the garden with a few Roman soldiers (on loan from Pilate at the request of the High Priest) and some officers loyal to the Sanhedrin. We know from v.26 that a few others came with them also, probably (since it was so late at night) mostly servants from the High Priest's household who followed the unusual commotion. They are carrying torches, lanterns (these were issued to Roman soldiers on night patrol) and weapons. As they enter the garden, Jesus steps forward to meet them.
Jesus make them declare twice who they are looking for to arrest, so that there will be no doubt, Twice they answer "Jesus of Nazareth". "I am He" He says, and since you are looking only for me then "let these (His disciples) go their way" (v. 8). He even protects Peter, when he impulsively steps up with a sword to cut off Malchus's ear. With a few words, Jesus makes it clear that this is His "cup to drink" (v.11). So with a humble attitude, thinking first of His disciples, the Son of God allows himself to be bound and led away. Peter and John follow as the armed group surrounding Jesus walks through the dark quiet streets of Jerusalem with their torches flickering and their clinking lanterns making shadows on the walls.
Through John's words, we are able to follow the events of the rest of this night. Jesus is taken first to Annas (an older member of the Sanhedrin, kind of like a Godfather to the mob), then to Caiaphas (the current High Priest who prophesied that "one must die for many") and then to Pilate (the Roman governor, the only one with the power to order the crucifixion of Jesus). We see Jesus questioned with rude roughness and hear Him answer each time with clear conviction. We hear Peter deny Jesus 3 times and we hear the rooster's crowing. And, as the night ends and the sun comes up, we hear the final option given to the Jewish leaders to repent of this horrible crime they are about to commit against the God of their Fathers. We hear their angry hatred as they choose to release Barabas, a violent robber, rather than God's own Son.
Through all of this I kept remembering that verse from the start of the chapter "Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth..."