This week, Bible Study Fellowship covered Jesus’s arrest and trial before the priests and religious leaders. A theme from the the lecture was how Jesus was fully in control of the situation, despite being the one getting arrested.
The beginning on John 18 reads
“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.”
John 18:1 – 3
Jesus purposely picked a spot that Judas knew He frequented. Why? Maybe because He wanted to be found. The Bible doesn’t say if Judas knew where Jesus was planning to take the disciples before he betrayed Him. It is entirely possible that Jesus told all the disciples the itinerary for the night. Either way, Jesus could have changed the plans last minute and hide, but instead chose to almost orchestrate His own arrest by making Himself easy to find.
As we read on, we see a most unusual arrest, where the arrested does the talking.
“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.”
John 18:4 – 6
These soldiers were surprisingly non-confrontational. I thought it would make more sense for them to be asking “Are you Jesus of Nazareth?” instead of Jesus asking them who they were looking for.
Additionally, the troops didn’t seize Jesus right away when he revealed his identity. They retreated and fell to the ground! From an outsider’s perspective, this was no arrest. This was a superhero subduing a small army with just three words! But instead of finishing them off or using the commotion to get away, Jesus stood His ground and repeated His question, almost like he was saying “Are you sure you’re looking for me? Because I’m right here and I don’t see you coming after me.” Then, he said
“if you seek Me, let these [men] go their way,”
John 18:8
Jesus gave Himself up but saved his disciples. It’s at this point that Peter decided to take matters into His own hands and chop off the ear of the high priest’s servant. But instead of the soldiers disarming and possibily killing Peter, it was Jesus who commanded,
“Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?” Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him.”
John 18:11 – 12
In this scenario, who was giving commands? It certainly wasn’t the soldiers. Jesus somehow managed to surrender Himself while being fully in control of the situation. He was in control then, and He continues to be in control today.