John 18
1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. 2 And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. 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. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? 5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. 6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. 7 Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. 8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: 9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none. 10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. 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?
The Doctrine of Unity: (Disunity) Amongst Jesus’ closest, most influencial 12 disciples, was a ‘devil’… Judas Iscariot. The Devil often may use a ‘key’ man in the church to stir up trouble; they are privy to a lot that others would not be. It can even get to the point where one in the church tries to get the Pastor put in jail.
The Doctrine of Jesus Christ: Did Jesus know everything that was going to happen to Him minute by minute? Verse 4 states that He knew about this event (Judas’ betrayal); and, this supports the fact that Jesus knew all the prophecies of the Bible concerning Himself, and when they would occur; it might be that He knew all the major events of His life ahead of time.
Jesus was very bold here in confronting the officers and religious leaders. He knew that this would be ‘the end’… they would take Him to be crucified; He didn’t run, but rather, walked to them and helped make ‘it’ happen (i.e. His eventual crucifixion).
Why did the ‘soldiers’ with weapons ‘fall backward to the ground’ when Jesus said ‘I am He’? Maybe because they didn’t expect Him to be right in front of their faces; they were expecting a fight; they might even have been expecting some supernatural powers to be shown; they were caught off guard. Or, maybe it was because they were confronting deity… “I AM” (He). Jesus had to ask them again so as to keep things going according to the will of God…He had to help them on this. Everything had to go according to plan…i.e., to prophecy. He tried to protect His dear disciples but Peter almost ruined this by his violent action.
The Doctrine of Weapons & War: Is it ‘right’ for a Christian to own and carry a gun? Was Jesus approving of Simon having a sword? Luke 22:38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough. It appears that Jesus approved of Peter carrying the sword; but, I do not believe He approved of Peter taking matters into His own hand here, especially in light of verse 11. So, should Missionaries in dangerous countries carry weapons? Was Peter a ‘good shot’ or ‘lousy shot’ with the sword here? Does it hurt to have your ear cut off?…
12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, 13 And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. 14 Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. 15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. 16 But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. 17 Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not. 18 And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself. (also read verses 25-27)
The Doctrine of Fear: Was Peter and the other disciple (probably John) displaying relative bravery here, or cowardness? They were brave for searching out Jesus; no other disciples apparently did this, for it was too dangerous. Yet, Peter denies His Lord here three times…he was too afraid to stand for Jesus, for Peter might be taken prisoner also. What would you do if ‘officers’ came into the church meeting and arrested the Pastor and took him for questioning at the jail? Would you go too, or would you run and hide? Would you try and stop the officers from taking your Pastor? What happens if you were in an Islamic country and some militia came to you and said “aren’t you one of those Baptists?”… would you deny it?…
19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. 20 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. 21 Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said. 22 And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so? 23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? 24 Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
The Doctrine of Boldness: Even though many were out to kill Jesus, He still spoke openly, and not in secret. He was very bold to the high priest; so much so that an officer slapped Him in the face. Boldness for the Lord can cause you to be hit by the heathen. This was the first time Jesus was ever ‘hurt’ (in the Bible). Should Jesus have ‘turned the other cheek’ here? Obviously not, since He did all things perfectly. Thus, ‘turning the other cheek’ needs to be taken in context; here Jesus was standing bold for the Lord and was rebuking the representatives of Satan. Is it ever permissible to ‘strike back’ in self defense? Jesus did not. But, what happens if it is your child or wife or mother?…
25 And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not. 26 One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? 27 Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.
28 Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover. 29 Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? 30 They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee. 31 Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: 32 That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die. 33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?
34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? 35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? 36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. 37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. 38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. 39 But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? 40 Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
The Doctrine of Civil Judgment: Is it right to take a non-church member to court? The Jews were taking a fellow Jew to court. The Jews could have judged Jesus themselves, but they wanted Jesus killed, so they needed the pagan Romans to perform this judgment. But, the O.T. gave them clearance for capital punishment for the crime of blasphemy. Apparently, the Jews were concerned about a tumult forming which would cause an uproar by the Romans, thus they opted for the Romans to handle the case. Is it lawful for an American to be sentenced to death for a non-murder crime? How about the crime of murder? ‘Life for life’?….
The Doctrine of the Kingdom of God: Where is God’s kingdom right now? Jesus says that it is ‘not of this world’. So, where is it? Well, I believe it to be a spiritual kingdom (out of this world), but this would include each Christian (they are a spiritual being), and would of course include all the angelic host and the 3rd Heaven. “The kingdom of God is within you” (Lk 17:21). Some day, though, the kingdom of God will come to Earth (The Millenium).
While Jesus was on Earth He was indeed a King. He was (and is) the King of the Jews (though, He came to Earth then not to set up His kingdom, but to die for His people).