John 18:1-11

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

Where did Jesus and His disciples go from the upper room? Was this a new destination for them?
The detachment of troops refers to a Roman cohort. How many men would there be in a Roman cohort?
Why were the Roman soldiers startled at the Lord’s voluntary surrender?
Was the Lord taken by surprise? Could Jesus have escaped?
“Shall I not drink the cup?” What did this mean?
What was this cup?

Across the Brook Kidron, east of Jerusalem, to the Garden of Gethsemane, on the lower slopes of the Mount of Olives. No, Jesus and His disciples often met in the Garden of Gethsemane. During His last week, Jesus’ nights were spent camped out in this area. See Luke 21:37.
Anywhere from 300 to 600 men.
They probably expected some kind of guerilla warfare. Or His answer, “I am,” may have had a supernatural effect on them.
Jesus was not surprised. He knew in detail all that would take place. Jesus could have prayed to the Father and He would have provided Him with more than twelve legions of angels. Instead, Jesus voluntarily stepped forward and surrendered.
The Lord was determined, purposed and resolved to take up the cup that the Father had given Him.
It included His coming suffering and death. It was the cup of judgment, the cup of God’s wrath against sin.

Spend some time, mediating on the cup that the Lord accepted.
Let’s not cut off ears that need to hear. How many ears has the Lord had to heal because they were cut off before they heard the gospel? How often in your religious zeal, like Peter, do you speak and act in haste?

With Calvary in view, the Lord asked the soldiers to let the others go free. In times of personal crisis, do you think about the welfare of others?

“When He said to them, ‘I am He,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.” John 18:6
“Jesus said to Peter, ‘Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has give Me?’” John 18:11