Jesus Stepped Forward

John 18:1-11

Today we turn the page from John 17 and the end of Jesus’ private ministry and prayer with His disciples to John 18 where the public drama of Jesus’ arrest, trial and crucifixion begin. John 18-20 not only record the pinnacle of the Gospel of John, but really the crossroads of the world. It is the watershed moment of all time. Here we will see man at his worst and God at His best. The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the defining event of history. So it is with reverence and awe that we come to this most important portion of scripture. Listen as I read John 18:1-11,

1 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. 2 And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. 3 Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.

4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?” 5 They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. 6 Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9 that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.”

10 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. 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”

John 18 describes the betrayal, arrest, and initial appearances of our Lord before Annas and Pilate. As I studied this chapter I was impressed by the composure and control of the Lord Jesus which permeates John’s account of the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus. What John uniquely omits and includes in his account of Christ’s passion effectively emphasizes Christ’s control over His death. For example, John omits Jesus’ agonizing prayer in the Garden, where He asked repeatedly that, if possible, the cup of suffering on the cross be removed from Him. But John includes Jesus’ resolve to obey the Father’s will when He rebukes Peter by asking (John 18:11), “… Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”

John omits Judas’ betrayal kiss (Matt. 26:48-49; Mark 14:44-45; Luke 22:47-48), but he includes something that the other gospels omit: When Judas and the armed cohort came to Him, Jesus took the initiative in greeting His persecutors! John 18:4: “Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?”” Only John tells us that when Jesus answered them, they all drew back and fell to the ground (John 18:6). John alone reports Jesus’ command to the soldiers to let His disciples go their way (John 18:8). And from John we learn that Peter was the impetuous disciple who swung his sword and Malchus was the slave who got his ear cut off.

The overall impression that John conveys through his narrative is that Jesus is in complete control of His arrest and crucifixion. Although Judas and the armed soldiers succeeded in arresting Jesus and although Peter by human force vainly sought to protect Him, Jesus was calmly in control of the events leading to His death. He was not a tragic victim, but rather He is the good shepherd who willingly lays down His life for His sheep (John 10:15, 18).

One phrase that especially struck me in this passage comes in John 18:1 and again in John 18:4. Verse 1 says, “When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered.” Notice the action Jesus takes, “He went out.” It could also be translated “He went forth” (NASB). John uses the same action verb in John 18:4, “Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?”” Here it is translated He “went forward” or “He stepped forward” (NLT).

Jesus moves toward His own death. He is undaunted. He is unhesitating. He is courageous. John shows us the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ in His betrayal and arrest. Jesus steps forward to lay down His life for His sheep. Jesus was not a helpless victim. He is the Lord of glory, the king who goes out to conquer sin and death.

Today I want to take that phrase, “He stepped forward” and use it to see Jesus Christ in His willingness, His authority, His compassion, and His righteousness. Jesus stepped forward for you and me — willingly, with authority, in love and righteousness. He intervened between a ruined race and God’s righteous wrath to secure His people’s rescue.

1. Jesus stepped forward willingly.

In John 12:23 as Jesus talked about His coming death He said, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.” As Jesus began this fateful Passover night with His disciples John remind us (John 13:1), “Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father.” Then in John 17:1 Jesus “lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You.””

John 18:4 tells us that Jesus stepped forward “knowing all things that would come upon Him.” How many times in John’s Gospel have we witnessed the omniscience of Jesus? He knew all things. Remember that Jesus had not only foretold His death but also that He would be betrayed by one of His own (John 13:18, 21) and that He would be crucified (John 3:14, 8:28; 12:34).

Jesus knew what His obedience to the Father would cost. Yet He stepped forward. Never did knowing Scripture give anyone more reason to sweat blood (Luke 22:44). But all the scripture must be fulfilled (Mark 14:49).

Jesus knew His hands and feet would be pierced (Psalm 22:16). He knew they would strike Him, spit on Him, and pull out His beard (Isaiah 50:6). He heard the dogs approaching (Psalm 22:16), the stampede of bulls surrounding him (Psalm 22:12). He envisioned the gaping mouths of His enemies as they came to devour Him like raging lions (Psalm 22:13). He could heard the taunting voices of His enemies ridiculing His anguish (Psalm 22:7–8). He knew His very soul would be poured out to death (Isaiah 53:12). He knew His disciples would soon desert Him (Zechariah 13:7).

Worst of all He knew He would be forsaken by His Father (Psalm 22:1) as He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities (Isaiah 53:5). He would stand between God’s righteous wrath and sinful men to intercede for God’s enemies before the heavenly courts. And knowing all this and more, He stepped forward willingly.

Verses 1-2 say, “He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. 2 And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples.” I wonder if Jesus thought of 2 Samuel 15. There King David also crossed the Brook Kidron with His faithful followers as He left Jerusalem. David was rejected by his nation and forced out of the city when his son Absalom rebelled against him. David was also betrayed by his own Judas, his friend Ahithophel.

Jesus goes to a garden. He enters that familiar garden with His disciples. Jesus had often met with His disciples in that very spot (John 8:1; Luke 22:39). It was here that He asked His disciples to pray with Him (Mark 14:32). But John stresses that the point of Jesus going to that garden that night was because (John 18:2), “Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place.” The reason He went there is because He knew that place was where Judas was coming. Jesus would not hide in some unknown place to avoid arrest. Jesus is not trapped; He is not tricked; He is not surprised.

On the contrary, Jesus moved toward His betrayal. He stepped forward to His arrest. He resolutely embraced the cross. He stepped forward willingly. Second we see that,

2. Jesus stepped forward with authority.

John sets the stage for the demonstration of Jesus’ authority with verse 3, “Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.”

What a great show of force His enemies make when they come to arrest Him! First, it says that there was a detachment of troops. This word means a Roman cohort, usually a tenth of a legion. It could be as many as 600 armed soldiers. Accompanying this band of Roman troops were officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. These are the Jewish temple guards who policed the massive crowds in the temple grounds. John reports that they came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.

It must have been quite a sight! Lanterns and torches streaming from Jerusalem late at night across the Kidron valley to the base of the Mount of Olive where Jesus was praying in a garden. Why such a show of force? They must have thought that Jesus would try to evade their capture as He had so easily done before. They were fearful of His popularity with the crowds so they came prepared for anything.

Bravely facing the brute force of this armed mob Jesus steps forward. He went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?” (John 18:4). Verse 5, “They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.”” Then Jesus makes the most powerful statement, “I am He.” The words in Greek are “Ego eimi,” or “I, I am.” We might think that Jesus was simply identifying Himself, like saying “that’s me!” But having read through the rest of John’s Gospel we cannot take it that simply. We have heard those words from the lips of Jesus over and over again in John. Jesus used them to make seven word pictures of who He is: “I am the Bread of Life” (John 6:48); “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12; 9:5); “I am the door of the sheep”

(John 10:7); “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11, 14); “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25); “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6); and “I am the true vine” (John 15:1). Also in John 8:58 Jesus indicates His eternal divine nature by claiming the divine name “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”

Now when Jesus uses these same words, “I am” we immediately see a demonstration of His divine authority and power. Look at the response from this armed mob (John 18:6), “Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.” When Jesus met them with surrender and calm and with the voice of God, they were overwhelmed.

The arrested one was the authoritative one. By the word of His mouth He buckled their knees and knocked them down. With one more word, He could have defeated them by an army of angels (Matthew 26:53). His divine proclamation of “I am” caused His enemies to fall at His feet (Psalm 27:2). As they crawled upon the ground, He did not run. The King of all the earth allowed them to rise and arrest Him. The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world was led to the slaughter.

He stepped forward with authority because He stepped forward as the Son of God with the very power of God Himself. Thirdly we see that,

3. Jesus stepped forward in love.

7 Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9 that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.” (John 18:7–9)

Jesus protects His disciples. Remember, this night began with a declaration and demonstration of Jesus’ love for His disciples (John 13:1, “having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end”). So Jesus commands (active imperative) the soldiers to “let these go their way.” Jesus had just prayed (John 17:12) “I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost.” He is fulfilling His own prayer and protecting them. Why? Because He and the Father love them.

Now Peter just should have stood there and said, “Wow, thank You, Lord.” But, no. John 18:10, “Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear.” I don’t’ image that Peter was aiming at the guy’s ear. He probably took a whack at the head of Malchus and either Peter’s aim was bad or Malchus ducks and only loses an ear.

You know, we’re so much like Peter. The Lord says to us, “I’ll protect you. Just relax; stay where you are. I will protect you. You don’t need to grab your own sword and hack your way through the world. I’ll take care of you.” But Peter steps out to take on the whole angry mob on his own. Luke tells us that the Lord then performs the last miracle before the cross. He heals Malchus’ ear. You’d think they’d all fall down again – in worship.

But the point is that Jesus provided a shelter of care for His Peter and the others. He calmly calls us back in when we rashly run out on or own into danger. None of us will ever be lost because of the supreme love that causes Him to protect us.

Jesus stepped forward to be arrested and killed to save those whom He loved from death and from being lost.

4. Jesus stepped forward in sacrifice.

This comes through in John 18:11 in Jesus’ words to Peter, “So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?””

Jesus steps forward to take the cup which His Father has given Him. It is the cup of suffering, cup of God’s wrath, the cup of the vengeance of God against sin. Jesus says, “Shall I not drink it?” This is the all-glorious, all-powerful, all-loving Son of God, willingly, voluntarily – in an act of supreme obedience to which He agrees joyfully – giving Himself up in our place.

Jesus stepped forward in a willful, powerful, loving sacrifice to bring you to God. Will you step forward in faith toward Him today? He has stepped forward for those He loves. He has done It all. Step forward and receive His gift of eternal life today. Step forward in repentance; step forward in faith. As the song says,

If you’ll take one step toward the Savior my friend,
You’ll find His arms open wide.