April 29, 2020
"What Are You?!?"
John 18:1–18
James Hamilton
Central Truth
Jesus showed those who came for Him (and us) that He was willingly going with the soldiers, not because He was forced, but by His own choice because of His love for us.
Key Verse | John 18:4-6
Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, "Whom do you seek?" They answered him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am he." Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground.
John 18:1–18
Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
1 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.” 1 18:5 Greek I am; also verses 6, 8 Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When Jesus 2 18:6 Greek he 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 3 18:10 Or bondservant; twice in this verse 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?”
Jesus Faces Annas and Caiaphas
12 So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews 4 18:12 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time; also verses 14, 31, 36, 38 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.
Peter Denies Jesus
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 5 18:18 Or bondservants; also verse 26 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.
Footnotes
[1] 18:5 Greek I am; also verses 6, 8[2] 18:6 Greek he
[3] 18:10 Or bondservant; twice in this verse
[4] 18:12 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time; also verses 14, 31, 36, 38
[5] 18:18 Or bondservants; also verse 26
Dive Deeper | John 18:1–18
"I'm Batman."
This is a famous line from the 1989 Micheal Keaton Batman, the best one in my opinion (sorry, Todd, not the Adam West version). "What are you?!?" is the line that precedes this one as Batman holds the thug over the edge of the roof after he was caught counting the spoils of his crime. The point is, the thug was scared for his life at the display of strength and power as Batman rose up from being shot and handled this thug and his partner like rag dolls.
I imagine a similar scene in the garden across the brook Kidron when Judas and a band of Roman soldiers and Temple officers (thought to number anywhere from fewer than 200 to around 600 well armed soldiers and officers), show up while Jesus was there waiting for them. Jesus asks them, "Whom do you seek?" They answer, "Jesus of Nazareth," and, when He responds, "I am he," something supernatural happens. They "drew back and fell to the ground." I don't know about you, but I think THAT IS AWESOME! I imagine this pulse of energy that erupts from Jesus with such force that it knocks down the Roman cohort in a wave like dominoes. I can imagine them saying, "What are you?!?" and then hearing, "I told you that I am he." (John 18:8)
Jesus is showing Judas, the Roman detachment, the chief priests and Pharisees, and us that He wasn't being taken by anyone; He was going freely of His own accord (John 10:18). He did this because of His love for us, to provide a way to repair the brokenness between God and us (Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8), and to give us life as He truly designed it (John 10:10-11).
Unfortunately, I frequently forget what He is. I get distracted by the things of this world, distraught in my trials, and self-sufficient in my practices. Thankfully, He continues to pursue me through His Spirit (Psalm 139:7-8), through His Word (Hebrews 4:12), and through His people: my bride and community group (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Now that is a Savior (hero) worth following!
Discussion Questions
1. How do you view Jesus? As meek and mild, being captured and led to His slaughter? Or as a hero and Savior who willingly gave Himself to fulfill God's plans for saving His people?
2. When (not if) you are faced with trials and temptations in this world (John 16:33; James 1:2), what do you tend to do and where do you turn to face them?
3. Do you have people in your life who are willing to tell you the truth no matter what (Proverbs 27:6, 17), counsel biblically (Proverbs 11:14, 15:22), and guide you back to our hero and Savior?