Homiletic Magazine 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 DIVINE FOREKNOWLEDGE. Knowing all that should come He yet went forth. What deep aggravation and bitterness this would give to the whole course of His suffering life! Our trials are mostly unforeseen, hence there is room for the play of hope. This concealment of the future is merciful. The certainty of trouble would unnerve us, and the certainty of happiness intoxicate us. But Jesus knew all. What pathos in the phrase, "acquainted with grief." II. HIS WILLING SELF-SURRENDER. This gave value to His sacrifice. He did not hide himself like Adam, flee like Jonah, shrink like the disciples, but openly avowed Himself ready to do or to bear what was necessary for the world's ransom. It was an evil omen when the victim struggled at the altar and a good one when he came willingly. Jesus was straitened until His baptism was accomplished. III. HIS OVERPOWERING MAJESTY. 1. There have been similar occurrences. Caius Marius, when reduced to the utmost misery was shut up in a private house in Minturnae, and an executioner was sent to kill him, but though old and unarmed, the man was so awed by his appearance, that "as if struck with blindness, he ran away astonished and trembling," on which the inhabitants released the great Roman and favoured his escape. But this is no parallel to the case of Christ. Remember it was trained Roman warriors and the trusted followers of the Sanhedrim who "went backward," &c. We cannot doubt that on this, as on other occasions, the glory of Christ's Divine nature shone out for great purposes, and was sufficient to effect them without the use of the secular sword which Peter drew. 2. Our Lord is at no loss for means to humble sinners at His footstool. Sometimes a clear view of the majesty and holiness of God will do it, as in Isaiah 6.; sometimes a vision of the glorified Christ, as in Revelation 1.; sometimes the still small voice of His pardoning mercy, as in the case of Saul of Tarsus; sometimes strange and stirring events in Providence. IV. DIVINE UNPARALLED LOVE (ver. 8). Christ stipulated nothing for Himself, though His adversaries were at His mercy, only for His disciples' safety: so much dearer were their lives to Him than His own. It is remarkable that this injunction was complied with, especially as Peter must have given great provocation. (Homiletic Magazine.) 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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