Jesus Arrives At Gethsemane
Vs 1: “When Jesus had spoken these words.” This refers to what He said in chapters 15 – 17.
The brook of Cedron is located East of Jerusalem. It is also called Kidron in the Old Testament.
Hebrew word for Kidron: “winter torrent.”
The brook was usually dry in summer; when fall rains came, it became a torrent.
David fled from his son, Absalom, at this brook ( II Samuel 15:23).
Josiah cast the dust of the idolatrous altars that he destroyed, into this brook: II Kings 23:4-12.
Vs 1: The garden: Gethsemane. It was about 1/2 mile from the walls of Jerusalem & at the foot of the Mount of Olives.
Gethsemane means: “small farm.” In Jesus day, it would have olive trees; fig trees and pomegranates.
Adam’s fall took place in a garden; a beautiful place planted by the hand of God.
It was filled with trees; good for food and it had the ‘tree of Life” growing in it. A river went out of Eden to water the garden which also contained the tree of the knowledge of good & evil.
Yet, in a beautiful garden paradise, Adam sinned and through this disobedience, all men died spiritually: Romans 5:12. 15, 19.
Now, about 6,000 years later, Jesus enters a garden. There He met a personal devil, Judas: John 13:2 & 27; John 6:70.
It was in this garden where Jesus agonized: Luke 22:44.
Here, in the garden, satan was conquered by Jesus.
Vs 3: Judas comes with a band of men to get Jesus.
“band of men:” a detachment of Roman soldiers that Judas led there to arrest Jesus.
There were also “officers” from the Chief Priests and Pharisees with them.
“Officers” were Jewish servants of the priests & Pharisees.
Both Gentiles & Jews were in the group that went to arrest Jesus.
Verse 4: This was no accident that Jesus went to the garden at that time.
Jesus goes to the garden as a general would advance to meet his enemy on the battlefield.
Jesus knew exactly how and where Judas would betray Him. Instead of waiting for Judas to arrive and search for Jesus; Jesus was already there, waiting to face His enemy.
His hour had come: John 17:1, John 8:20.
Vs 4: Jesus asks “Whom seek ye.” The Holy Spirit emphasizes Christ’s willingness to lay His life down for sinners.
Vs 5: They answer: “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus replies: “I am he”
“I am” is used in verse 5, 6 7 8. This Greek New Testament phrase is = to the Old Testament phrase of Exodus 3:14 where God told Moses: “I AM hath sent me unto you.”
In the three times “I am” is used here, is a fulfillment
of Psalms 27: Verses 1,2,3.
Jesus gives a three-fold testimony by going into the garden that night: Vs 5-8.
1. He went to His death willingly and voluntarily. He knew Judas would come there looking for Him.
2. He made it convenient for His enemies to find Him. Judas knew that it was the favorite place for Jesus to pray.
3. We see the hardness and cruelty of Judas heart. Judas had been with Jesus on many occasions when He prayed and taught.
Vs 6: Jesus said: “I am he.” “They” refers to the Roman soldiers & others who came to arrest Jesus. The Roman soldiers knew very little or even nothing about Jesus. They had no reason to fear Him.
Therefore, it had to be the power of the Word of God that caused them to go backward and fall to the ground. This showed that they were completely in his power. If He wanted to, Jesus could have easily escaped or called legions of angels to rescue Him.
This miracle showed His disciples and His enemies that he was willing and surrendering to be crucified. He was going to give His life; not because He was being overpowered; taken by force; but because He was willing to suffer and pay our sin debt.
This also showed the Power of Jesus who is God. It shows His grace and mercy; He could have destroyed these men, but He did not.
The Words: “I am”
1. “I am the way”
2. “I am the truth”
3. “I am the life”
4. “I am the light”
5. “I am the good Shepherd”
6. “I am the true vine “
7. “I am the door”
8. “I am the bread”
9. “ I am the Alpha and Omega”
10. “I am the beginning and the end”
11. “I am he that liveth”
12. “I am the resurrection”
13. “I am the bright and morning star”
14. “I am He”
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