“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. And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.” (John 18:1-6 KJV)
This is such a significant part of John’s narrative because it shows the submission of Jesus to his Father’s will. How easy it would have been for Jesus to change his habits. He could have gone to another quiet place for prayer, but he came to the same garden he habitually came to with his disciples. He knew that Judas knew the place and he went there anyway. He refused to impede the Father’s will in any way.
And when Judas arrived with the Temple officers and their squad of soldiers, Jesus walked right up to them and introduced himself. He not only submitted to the Father’s will, he was eager for it to be accomplished. “Who are you looking for?” They responded “Jesus of Nazareth.” He said, “That’s me.”
Chrysostom suggested that Jesus disabled their cognitive ability. “For the darkness was not the cause of their not knowing him, that they had torches also. And even had there been no torches, they ought at least to have known him by his voice; or if they did not know it, how could Judas be so ignorant? For he stood with them , and knew him no more than they, but with them fell backward.”
It is a matter of faith that humans could not have captured him, bound him, beaten him, or crucified him WITHOUT HIS PERMISSION. He could have called 12 legions of angels, but he submitted to the Father’s will. And he caused these men to not recognize him in Gethsemane, because his submission was voluntary not forced by Judas and the Temple cutthroats. In this garden event, his kind and gentle action showed his consent to the Father’s will. His action declared to the whole world that he was not opposed to God but obedient even unto death.
I want to possess that same quality of submission to the Father’s will. Despite all my fleshly desires, despite all my ambitions, despite all my fears . . . I want to be obedient to God despite the results.
Dear Father, thank you for our Savior and Lord who submitted to your will. Empower us with the same desire and submissive attitude that our Savior had. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be courageous today in the Father’s will,