Family Churchman 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. WHO WAS HE FROM WHOM THESE MEN FELL BACK IN TERROR? Jesus. 1. Going as a Lamb to the slaughter. 2. Hereafter to come as the Judge of the men for whom He was about to die. How marvellous the contrast. II. WHY DID THESE MEN FALL BACK FROM HIM? Was there not a feeling of — 1. His personal holiness. How greatly will this be interrupted when He comes in His glory — the glory of His holiness. 2. His personal dignity. There was always, we may be sure, something in His look and mien of more than ordinary majesty. The great painter in His picture of Christ leaving the Pretorium has thrown a look of thrilling and unearthly dignity into the countenance of the sorrowful Redeemer. This is a great artist's conception. What was the reality? 3. His Divine Majesty. So great shall be the splendour of the Saviour that, "the heavens and the earth shall flee away," and even hide themselves from Him. 4. Terror of conscience. How shall we meet Him if loaded with guilt. III. WHO WERE THOSE WHO FELL BACK FROM HIM? 1. Judas. So shall all who have proved recreant to their faith when He says, "I am He," the long looked-for Comer to judgment. 2. Tools of others' wickedness (ver. 3). 3. But mark a difference, "Let these go their way," He said of the disciples. But more perfectly will He then fulfil the prophecy of ver. 9. (Family Churchman.) 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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