When the crowd came into the garden with torches and weapons, Jesus did not hide. John tells us what He did.
He knew. “Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, ‘Whom are you seeking?’” (John 18:4). Jesus knew about the cross, the pain and the shame. He went toward it anyway.
“I am He.” “They answered Him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I am He.’ And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them” (John 18:5).
They fell. “Now when He said to them, ‘I am He,’ they drew back and fell to the ground” (John 18:6). Soldiers with torches and weapons fell down at a few words from Jesus.
Power in His word. Jesus had calmed storms and healed the sick with a word. Now a crowd of armed men fell back when He spoke. He was the One in command.
Asked again. “Then He asked them again, ‘Whom are you seeking?’ And they said, ‘Jesus of Nazareth’” (John 18:7). Jesus was giving Himself up on purpose.
Let these go. “Jesus answered, ‘I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way’” (John 18:8). Jesus stepped between the soldiers and His friends, like the good shepherd who “gives His life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
None lost. John says this happened so that Jesus' words would come true: “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none” (John 18:9). That night Jesus kept His friends safe.
A picture many see. Many Christians see a small picture of the cross here: Jesus was taken, and His friends went free.
Why it matters. Jesus was arrested and died for our sins, and on the third day He rose again. Everyone who trusts Him is set free from sin's punishment.
What to do. When you feel afraid, remember who Jesus is. Armed soldiers fell back at His word. He is strong enough to take care of you.
When Peter used his sword, Jesus told him to put it away. Then He said something that shows how much power He really had.
Twelve legions. “Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53). A legion was a large group of Roman soldiers, several thousand men. More than twelve legions of angels would be a huge army from heaven.
No need for a sword. Peter had one sword. Jesus could have had a huge army of angels. He did not need anyone to defend Him.
Why He did not call them. “How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?” (Matthew 26:54). The Scriptures are God's Word. Long before, God's Word had said the Savior must suffer.
The Scriptures must be fulfilled. Mark tells us Jesus said to the crowd, “I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled” (Mark 14:49). Jesus knew that God's Word was coming true that night.
The Shepherd struck. Earlier that night Jesus had said, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered’” (Matthew 26:31). Jesus was quoting the prophet Zechariah.
Just as He said. In the garden Jesus said, “But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then “all the disciples forsook Him and fled” (Matthew 26:56).
Power held back. Jesus had all the power He needed to escape. He held it back because He loved His Father and He loved us.
The whole plan. God's plan did not stop at the cross. “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,” and “He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
What to do. Jesus is strong enough to save you, and He chose to die for you. When you want to fight back or have your own way, remember Jesus in the garden, and trust God's plan.
Complete all sections to finish!
Read each section and answer the questions correctly.