Throughout history, there have been many kings and warriors who stood against tyrants and enemies and fought great battles for the sake of their people and nations. I thank God for warriors who are willing to defend freedom and defend their nation. It is necessary, and I am grateful for those willing to pay that price.
One very famous king from history fought a famous battle in 480 B.C.—the Battle of Thermopylae in Greece. King Leonidas of Sparta led his troops into battle against the Persians, who were invading Greece and seeking to conquer the known world. Even the Jews were under Persian conquest at one point during their exile. Leonidas led his men into battle at Thermopylae to defend the Greek city-states from these invaders, and though there is a very popular movie about this battle that exaggerates some of the details, the reality is still remarkable. It was not three hundred men against thousands, but likely around seven thousand men against an army of over two hundred thousand. They were still vastly outnumbered.
Before the battle began, Xerxes instructed Leonidas to lay down his weapons, and Leonidas famously responded, Molon labe—“Come and take them.” He led his men into a battle that ultimately resulted in his death, but he delayed the Persians long enough for the Greek city-states to gather their forces and prepare to resist the invasion. We love stories like these—stories of courageous kings who stand against enemies and defend their people—and I understand why they have been preserved throughout history.
But in John chapter eighteen we find a King far greater than Leonidas, with more authority than Xerxes and more power than all the nations of the world combined, and yet we find a King who willingly submits Himself to His enemies.
“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…” [Continue reading through verse 14.]
Here we find the arrest of Jesus Christ, which ultimately leads to His crucifixion and death. This short passage is filled with rich details about the way Jesus was arrested, and what stands out so clearly is that His power and divinity are constantly on display, yet at every moment He willingly submits Himself to men who are infinitely inferior to Him. We need to understand before we even move further into the outline today that Jesus, by speaking a single word, could have destroyed every man who came to arrest Him in that garden. He could have smitten them all down and walked safely away. He could have returned to Jerusalem, established His kingdom, and done so without resistance. But when the enemy comes to take Him, metaphorically speaking, He holds out His wrists.
Unlike King Leonidas, who cried, “Come and take our weapons,” Jesus says, “Take Me. Only let My disciples go.” What a profound and shocking thing it is that a King with all power and authority would allow sinful men to bind Him and carry Him away to His death. Yet when we consider the purposes of God, we understand why Jesus willingly surrendered Himself. There are several details in this passage that help us appreciate the depth of His submission, and I want to draw your attention to them this morning.
Crossing the Brook
The first detail that stands out is His crossing of the brook Kidron. Verse one says, “When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron…” and at first glance that may seem like a small geographical detail, but this is exactly why we need to pay attention carefully when studying the Bible. To the Jewish audience hearing this account, the mention of the brook Kidron would have immediately reminded them of another king who crossed that same brook in the Old Testament.
In 2 Samuel 15, King David crossed the brook Kidron while fleeing from his own son Absalom, who had betrayed him and attempted to overthrow his kingdom. Absalom gradually gathered influence, won the hearts of the people, and eventually staged a rebellion against the throne that rightfully belonged to David. When word reached David that Absalom was coming against him, David gathered his family and servants and fled Jerusalem, crossing the brook Kidron and heading into the wilderness. David crossed that brook while fleeing betrayal at the hands of someone he trusted.
Now in John 18 we find another King crossing the brook Kidron, and He too has been betrayed by someone close to Him. Judas has already gone to gather the chief priests, temple officers, and Roman soldiers who are coming to arrest Jesus. But the difference between these two kings is important. David crossed the brook fleeing from his enemies. Jesus crossed the brook preparing to meet His enemies.
Verse four says, “Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him…” He knew exactly what was about to happen. If you and I knew that enemies were coming to arrest us, torture us, and kill us, we would be seeking safety and protection. But Jesus was not concerned with preserving His own life or protecting His own honor. His concern was doing the will of the Father. So He willingly crossed over the brook Kidron into the garden, fully aware of what awaited Him there. The King submitted Himself willingly.
Confronting the Guards
The next thing we see is Jesus confronting the guards who came to arrest Him. Verse two tells us that Judas came with “a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees.” This “band” likely refers to a Roman cohort, a large group of highly trained Roman soldiers. Along with them came the temple officers, the religious authorities’ own police force, and they came carrying “lanterns and torches and weapons.”
Why bring weapons unless you are expecting a fight? Just days earlier the crowds had welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem crying, “Hosanna!” Many believed He was about to overthrow Rome and establish a physical kingdom, so these men came expecting conflict. They believed they were coming to arrest a revolutionary leader preparing an uprising.
Yet when they arrived, they did not find an army. They found Jesus standing peacefully with a few ordinary disciples. Verse four says, “Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth…” He approached them first and asked, “Whom seek ye?” They answered, “Jesus of Nazareth,” and Jesus replied, “I am he.”
What is important here is that in the original language the word “he” is supplied. Literally Jesus says, “I am.” The same divine name spoken from the burning bush. They came looking for Jesus of Nazareth, the man, but Jesus revealed Himself as the eternal Son of God—the great “I AM.”
And what happened? “As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.” An armed group of trained soldiers fell backward simply at the power of His words. Jesus demonstrated plainly that He had the power to defend Himself. He did not have to be arrested. He willingly surrendered Himself.
Caring for His Disciples
After the soldiers fell to the ground, Jesus asked again, “Whom seek ye?” and when they answered again, He said, “If therefore ye seek me, let these go their way.”
What is remarkable here is that in the very moment when Jesus is about to suffer and die, He is not focused on protecting Himself. He is focused on protecting His disciples. In essence He says, “Take Me, but let them go.” What compassion and love we see here. Jesus willingly gives Himself for the safety of those whom the Father had given Him.
Verse nine explains that this fulfilled His earlier words: “Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.” Jesus protects His own, and this moment foreshadows the greater sacrifice He would make on the cross. Instead of saving Himself, He chose to save others. That was His mission from the very beginning.
Calming the Conflict
Not everyone present understood what Jesus was doing. Verse ten says, “Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it…” Peter had fallen asleep in the garden, and when he awoke he found himself surrounded by armed men. Instinctively he drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Peter was ready to fight for Jesus because he still believed this was the moment the kingdom would be established by force.
But Jesus turned to him and said, “Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?” Jesus makes it clear that the will of the Father is more important than personal safety. This was not the time to fight. This was the time to submit.
And according to the other Gospels, Jesus then healed the servant’s ear—the final miracle before His crucifixion. Even while men came to arrest Him, He responded with mercy and healing.
Verse twelve then says, “Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him…” The hands that healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, and formed the world itself were bound by sinful men. He could have stopped it at any moment. He had every power, authority, and right to stop it. But He willingly surrendered Himself.
Why? One word: you.
The perfect Son of God willingly went to the cross for sinners like us.
Conclusion
Jesus was not dragged away kicking and screaming. He willingly stretched out His hands and said, “Take Me. Let them go.” That is exactly what He did at the cross. Before the eyes of God, Jesus took our condemnation upon Himself so that we could go free. He bore our sin, shame, and judgment in our place.
What wondrous love is this—that grace greater than all our sin would lead the Son of God willingly to the cross for us.
So I leave you with two questions this morning. First, are you resting in that love? Are you living daily in the conscious reality that Jesus willingly suffered for your sake? Have you taken your sin and cast it upon Him in repentance and faith? Have you received His sacrifice and forgiveness? If not, the invitation is extended to you today to cast yourself upon the mercy and grace of a willing Savior.
Second, are you following Christ’s example of submission to the Father’s will? Jesus did not deserve suffering, shame, or death, yet He submitted Himself completely to the Father’s plan. Are we willing to do the same? Are we willing to follow God into difficulty, trials, and sacrifice? Are we truly surrendered to His will for our lives?
God desires to use His people for His glory, and the question is whether we are willing to submit ourselves to Him the way Jesus submitted Himself to the Father. Jesus showed us what willing obedience looks like. Are you willing to follow wherever He leads?
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