John 18:1-14 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden… I. CHRIST'S CHALLENGE. An expression of outraged dignity, and wounded love. It must have filled the band with confusion and shame. 1. To save needless trouble. 2. To prove His willing surrender to God. 3. To provoke reflection.Christ's mission to men's thoughts — to test and put right. His anxiety not simply to be sought, but sought aright. To come thus! Was He not daily with them? His invitations are for all. The Czar Nicholas's desire for foreigners to visit St. Petersburg is remarked upon in Lord Bloomfield's Memoirs. He wished men to see the resources of His empire, and its advances in civilization. So with the King of Truth. The Christ in us challenges the world and our lower nature. And all professed Christians and would-be patrons of Christ are challenged as to their motives, spirit and manner of service. II. ANSWERS IT MIGHT CALL FORTH They reply by a name, but without realization. This scene is enacted daily by Christ and the world. 1. "Him whom I hate." 2. "Him who disturbs My peace." 3. "Him who hinders and resists Me." III. SPIRITUAL RESULTS IT SHOULD PRODUCE. 1. Inquiry as to our chief good. 2. Comparison of it with Christ. 3. Turning our whole nature and life toward Him. 4. This to become our one aim.A child had been lost in a crowd, and separated from her mother. Seeing her distress a man lifted her on his shoulder. What tearful, nervous, anxious eagerness in her eyes as she looked round on the sea of strange faces! What joy when at last her mother was descried and she was restored to her arms. So let us look for Christ until we find Him, and at Him until we know Him. (St. J. A. Frere, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. |
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