Gospel

Another Time, Another Garden

by Roland Crim
12/29/16
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When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it. Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said. Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.” Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus) Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” John 18:1-11 NIV

Herein we read the final events leading to the arrest of our Lord.

His arrest occurred in a garden. The proclamation of death to mankind also occurred in a garden thousands of years earlier. Just as Adam and Eve betrayed God in a garden, so Judas betrayed the Son of God in a garden. I tend to think of a garden as a place of quiet and serenity, but we can see that in some very important times during mankind’s history it certainly was not.

Notice that when Jesus said that He was the one they were seeking, those who came to arrest Him drew back and fell to the ground. We see no mention of any force applied by our Lord to cause this to happen, so what was occurring here? Might those who came to arrest Him have had a thought that what they were about to do was in error, that they were arresting an innocent man, a man who also was God? Jesus was the one who was calm and fully at His senses, not those who came to arrest Him. We read in New Testament scripture that when Jesus comes again in His glory, every knee on earth, and in the ground shall bow to Jesus, and every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is Lord.

Notice also that Jesus asked that those who had accompanied Him to the garden be allowed to go. Even as Jesus faced His immediate arrest and imminent death He carried out actions so that all scriptures written about Him might be fulfilled. I find this to be truly amazing.

Simon Peter, sensing imminent danger drew his sword and cut off the ear of the High Priest’s servant. He was attempting to defend his Master. Was He possibly trying to let Jesus know that He was ready to even face death for Him?

With potential chaos about to develop, Jesus brought what needed to happen back into focus. He healed the servant by attaching his ear, and He told Peter to put his sword away, as Jesus must drink the cup which the Father had prepared for Him.

Our Lord truly carried out the will of the Heavenly Father. In this way the Father’s perfect plan is accomplished! AMEN!!