John-The Garden
Orient John 18:1-27
In the next two chapters, we will read of the arrest, trial, death, and burial of Jesus. Today’s reading contains unique content only found in John and will cover the arrest and interview before Annas and Caiaphas. Peter’s famous denial of Christ is also described.
Introduction
Anyone else getting a constant stream of meal prep advertisements? I get the appeal; your meals are planned for you and ingredients delivered to your door. Plus, you get to keep the recipes to make again once you stop the service. I have never used one because I love to cook at have too many recipes in the que to try as well as getting back to old favorites. No matter what I make, I always need to have olive oil on hand; it is a staple in all my dishes. The process of making oil involves many ways of destroying the olive, grinding, processing, and pressing to extract this culinary wonder. Today’s biblical meditation begins a hard yet important section for Christians to dwell on, a detailed version spanning many chapters of the atoning work of Christ. It all begins in the garden of Gethsemane. Gethsemane means oil press. At night, in front of soldiers, political leaders, and religious powers, Jesus came forth from his gang of disciples knowing all that would happen to him[1]. The synoptic gospels explain that as he prayed, His stress was so great drops of blood came from His brow. The pressure of the anguish He was about to go through was upon Him. His betrayer was at the ready. He was under arrest.
Opening Prayer
Jesus you knew what awaited You in that garden. The torture, betrayal, and pain. Yes, even in knowing the burden of the cross You lost none whom the Father had given You. You drank deep of the cup. Thank You for Your obedience that won me my freedom from sin and death. You have done no wrong and took on wrong for me. Even when I deny You, You are faithful. My King was treated as a criminal. There are no words to express my unworthiness and gratitude. Amen
Meditation
Read and reread the following passage, taking God’s word in deeply. As you do be sensitive to a phrase or verse the Holy Spirit emphasizes to you personally.
18 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.”[a] Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When Jesus[b] said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?”And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” 9 This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” 10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant[c] and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”
12 So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews[d] arrested Jesus and bound him. 13 First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.
15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16 but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. 17 The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man's disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the servants[e] and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.
19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” 22 When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” 24 Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27 Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.
Paraphrase
Rewrite the phrase or verse that the Holy Spirit highlighted during meditation. What is your take away?
Reflect
1. Even in the garden under arrest, the glory of Jesus and His deity make men fall to the ground (v6). When we are in the presence of a holy God, we see our frailty, inadequacy, and uncleanness. This truth magnifies our worship as the excellence of God is on display. Stop to think about a Jesus who is so great that men fall at His feet. Have you every physically prayed that way? Consider trying a new posture of prayer in your own private space. It brings a physical sense to the spiritual realisty of humility.
2. Because God is holy, He is incompatible with sin. He anger toward it is called “God’s wrath” and here the cup Jesus speaks of[2] is a symbol[3] of the place God’s offense of all sin is held. Our redemption meant that cup had to be poured out as God can’t change and His attributes are perfect and eternal. Many people are uncomfortable with knowing God hates sin. Yet a God who didn’t have that response wouldn’t be fully righteous. Is that a God you can worship? God didn’t pour that wrath out on us, but on Himself in Christ. This is the only solution to our sin problem that could match God’s hatred of sin with His love for us. Spend some time thinking about God’s attributes and honestly thinking about your response to who He is.
3. In the headlines, we often see leaders fall because their public life was different than their private life. It took the jealous Pharisees years to arrest Jesus because He spoke openly and said nothing in secret. What He taught His disciples in private was make public. He is our example of integrity, who He is at every level is consistent. Are you like Jesus in this way or do you change your character and message depending on who you spend time around?
4. The most painful part of this narrative may be the denial of Peter because we can see our own denial of Christ. RC Sproul says[4] this about Peter and us: “We are all like Peter. In the flesh, we are all groupies. We love to get close to the rich and famous, to those who are in positions of power and of adulation. However, we are like Peter in another way. When those we idolize fall, we run for cover; when our heroes come under criticism, we no longer want to be identified with them at all.” Have you denied Christ to others? How did Jesus restore and forgive you?
Closing Prayer
Jesus You are holy, divine, and good. For the joy set before You, You endured the cross[5] for me. Sin damages, lead to death, and must be paid for. You took the punishment we deserved in Your mercy, to restore us to You in Your grace. You are my example in all things, including Your genuine nature to all You encounter. Your words were true before all men. Make me like You in this, let my tongue never condemn me or deal falsely. Thank you for taking me back when I deny You in my fear of man.
Continue praying personally to the Lord with what He showed you during mediation and reflection.
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