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Jesus Arrested in the Garden – A Divine Demonstration

In John chapter 18 we find Jesus in the garden with His betrayer approaching with a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests. Jesus is accompanied by the remaining disciples. Judas, His betrayer, knew where to find Him, he had been there many times himself. As they were approaching, Jesus asked a simple question of them. He said “Whom seek ye (v. 4)?” The answer came, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus did not run and hide or fight like a common criminal (there was nothing common about Him). Instead, He identified Himself as the one they were seeking. He said, “I am he (v. 5).” When Jesus uttered these words there was a reaction that, in my mind, has no explanation but the miraculous. The text reads:

When therefore he said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground (John 18:6, ASV).

The Word of God spoken by Jesus caused a reaction. The soldiers and officers did something that they had no intention of doing. They “went backward and fell to the ground.” Then was Jesus arrested in the garden. He demonstrated three things in that garden (1) that the word He had spoken was true, (2) that He had a choice (3) that He was the master of the situation.

Jesus Demonstrated that His Word Was True

Jesus actually assisted the soldiers and officers in making a positive identification of Him there in the garden. These men knew that Jesus was “a man approved of God … by mighty works and wonders and signs (Acts 2:22). Even though many did not acknowledge Jesus as Messiah the multitudes recognized it. They said, “When the Christ shall come, will he do more signs than those which this man hath done (John 7:31)?” So when the men fell backward at Jesus’ answer they knew they had found the right man. Jesus confirmed His word just as He did when He went with the apostles (Mark 16:20; Hebrews 2:3-4).

Jesus Demonstrated His Choice

For most cases in which a man is arrested the subject is rushed by the officers and subdued by force. Such was not the case here. Jesus subdued the soldiers and then submitted to them. He had said:

Therefore doth the Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. No one taketh it away from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment received I from my Father (John 10:17-18).

The scene in the garden demonstrated that Jesus did have control of His own life. No one took it from Him, He laid it down; he gave it (Titus 2:14; Hebrews 12:1-2) in an act of obedience (Philippians 2:6-8; Hebrews 5:8-9). His love for us is seen vividly in this selfless act.

Jesus Demonstrated His Mastery

Throughout His ministry Jesus had shown that He was the master, that He controlled the very elements. He turned water to wine (John 2:7-10), cast out demons (Mark 5:1-20), cleansed lepers (Luke 17:11-19) and even raised the dead (Luke 7:11-17; John 11:17-44). But at no time were the disciples more impressed with His mastery than when he was with them during a severe storm on the Sea of Galilee. Note the record:

And when he was entered into a boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the boat was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Save, Lord; we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. And the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him? (Matthew 8:23-27)

To the very last of His free moments Jesus demonstrates His mastery by the effect of the words, “I am He.” The onrushing soldiers and officers were stopped in their tracks and they fell backward. One cannot help but think that for at least some of those arrestors there was a new sense of awe like the officers who had been sent earlier to arrest Jesus and came back said, “Never man so spake (John 7:46).”

Conclusion

You have a Savior whose words are confirmed by Heaven itself with mighty works, wonders and signs. The truth of His message has been confirmed and can be trusted. You have a Savior that chose to die for you. He was not some revolutionary in hiding who was finally caught. No greater love can be shown for you (John 15:13). You have a Savior who is the master of the very elements. If He says He can and will save, if He says that there is a place prepared for you, if He says He’s coming again, then, every word is true. What a friend we have in Jesus.