Betrayed!

When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. John 18:1

The words our Lord had just spoken were the entire chapter of John 17; His high priestly prayer for His Father’s and His own glorification, for the protection and comfort of His apostles as they would continue without His presence in the world, and for the Church which was yet to be born, through the witness and leadership of those same apostles.

As the spiritual storm clouds gathered, Jesus knew the event He came to execute was very near. There was an important date with destiny just about to transpire. He chose to meet the enemy in familiar territory. The place was familiar to Him and to His disciples. All twelve of them.

Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?”  They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.  When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.  So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” John 18:2-9

Judas was following through on the bargain he’d made with Jesus’ enemies. Our Lord didn’t hide away, but waited for the band of soldiers and temple officials in the place he’d often met with His disciples, knowing Judas would bring his conspirators there. Jesus was far better prepared for this meeting than the soldiers were. They came as if seeking a monstrous criminal, with torches and weapons. He met them with His gentle affirmation, “I AM.”  In these verses 4,6 and 8 the “he” is in italics, which means it was not included in the original text. His self-identification was simply “I AM.”  The self-identification of God. The eternal, self-existing one. The creator and sustainer of the universe. The posse clearly understood the meaning of His words. They understood, and were terrified.

Here I AM. I AM. Let the others go. He had not yet and would not lose any of those who believed in Him. The son of perdition never believed to begin with.

“Judas Iscariot never fell from grace, for he never had it, he was the ‘son of perdition,’ he was ‘a thief,’ he was ‘a devil,’ and the Scripture was fulfilled in his fall, for long ago it had been foretold. And the Lord Himself alludes to the fact, 

“I speak not of you all; I know whom I have chosen: but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me” (John 13:18)
- Marcus Rainsford – Our Lord Prays For His Own

Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.)  So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?” John 18:10-11

Who could be surprised at this reaction from boisterous Peter? (We can’t just let this happen. We must DO something!) Peter showed great zeal, as do many believers, but without solid spiritual knowledge. Jesus gently corrected the frustrated fisherman-warrior. This must come to pass. Now is not the time to resist. The Father has decreed My destiny, and I will accept it. Your human response is not appropriate for this occasion. Put away your weapon. Please notice Jesus did not tell Peter he shouldn’t have the weapon, just that this is not the time to use it.

So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people. John 18:12-14

Our Lord stood calmly and allowed Himself to be bound, as an offering for sacrifice, then led as a lamb to slaughter (Isaiah 53) to the political boss Annas.  John reminds us that Annas’ son-in-law Caiaphas, the high priest, was the person who declared that Jesus’ death would be suitable to achieve the desired end for the Jews. 

The nightmare had begun. The next few hours would be worse for the disciples of Jesus than anything they could have ever imagined, in their time with Him before. What they were about to witness and endure would affect every decision they would make and every action they would take for the rest of their earthly lives. The instructions and words of comfort Jesus had spoken to them over the last day and night would come back to them, but later and in segments, as they collected their wits about them and waited for the fulfillment of His promises.

But this night, as frightened children, they were simply confused and undone.