Sermon On John 18:1-11 “Jesus, the Invincible I AM”

Sermon on John 18:1-11 “Jesus, the Invincible I AM” 

18 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?”

Jesus Identifies Himself

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 18:1–11 (NKJV)

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Now early morning Judas Iscariot, with the Jewish Leaders, the chief priests, who were the religious leaders, and political leaders of the Jewish people, entered the Garden of Gethsemane, with a squad of soldiers. In the Old Testament, crossing the Kidron valley and the ravine of the Kidron was David’s way of escape from his rebellious son Absalom. However, Jesus is not escaping the officers of the chief priests, the Roman cohort or the officers of the Jews, the band of soldiers who with Judas were seeking Jesus’ arrest. Because of His own free will and the leading of the Holy Spirit our Lord Jesus Christ will not let this cup pass. Peter’s cutting off the ear of high priest’s slave, the slave’s name was Machus, did not save the day either, as Jesus was determined, Jesus greatest work, would be taking the wrath of God we deserved, that we might be gifted eternal life. 

1. As Priest, Jesus teaches, prays and offers a sacrifice: Most of John’s Gospel gives us Jesus’ teaching, as the Son of God, He taught us about God and the Christian life, He taught us absolute truth, like those in the upper room, as followers of Jesus Christ, we long to learn the Lord’s words –

¹⁸ No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. John 1:18 (NKJV)

1. In John 17, He PRAYS –  First for God’s glory, Hebrews talks of Jesus’ PRAYING 

  ²⁵ Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.   Hebrews 7:25 (NKJV)

Jesus Prepares To Meet His Accusers

In this chapter John 18 & the next John 19, we see Jesus as Great High Priest, and as the Lamb of God offering Himself as a sacrifice –

¹¹ And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. ¹² But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, ¹³ from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. ¹⁴ For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. Hebrews 10:11–14 

2. We know Jesus is offering Himself because:
3. He went to a place Judas, His betrayer KNEW –

18 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. John 18:1–2 (NKJV)

1. Gethsemane, on Mt Olive was a place Jesus was going regularly at night, it was not the first time –

³⁷ And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet. Luke 21:37 (NKJV)

³⁹ Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. Luke 22:39 (NKJV)

1. Jesus was safe teaching in Jerusalem in the day, His enemies said –  … we fear the multitude, … Matthew 21:26 (NKJV)
2. For a while “Olivet” “the Mount of Olives” seemed to be a hiding place for Jesus, but His regularly going up there, results in Judas knowing the place well. Jesus did not make Judas a betrayer, but providentially Jesus / God was preparing Judas for the role of betrayer.
3. Jesus proves He did not need to surrender –
4. Note, John makes it CLEAR Jesus understood what was happening –

Judas Arrives

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?” John 18:3–4 

1. The Roman soldiers become rolling soldiers – 

⁵ They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. ⁶ Now when He said to them, “I am,” they drew back and fell to the ground. John 18:5–6 (NKJV)

Soldiers Ignorant

“The Roman soldiers knew nothing of Jesus and had no reason to fear him. Jesus answered in the style of deity, using the divine title, I AM, going back to the burning bush of Exodus 3 when God said, “I am who I am” (v. 14). Jesus’ response was the last exercise of the power by which he calmed the seas, stilled the winds, and healed the sick. Was Jesus caught on the wheel of history? Hardly! He is the axis of history. In a very real sense, the cohort did not arrest Jesus—he arrested them! His words were a gracious warning that they were in way over their heads.”

1. Kent Hughes

            Pastor Hughes goes on to say Jesus could have called 10,000 SIXTY-foot-tall angels armed with laser guns, if He wanted to; but this is imaginary conjecture.   

I believe, If the Romans had the lasers, and all the nuclear weapons we have today, and 20,000 Bigger angels, Jesus without any help could have beat them ALL! As He is God, that is just part of what “I AM” means. 

1. Jesus is the “I AM” so He allows Himself to be arrested –   WHY?

They Fall to The Ground

Because He was laying down His life intentionally, to save us!  Remember in :6 Jesus said – ⁶ … “I am,” they drew back and fell to the ground. John 18:5–6 (NKJV)

Genesis 17:1–2 (NKJV)

17 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. ² And I will make My covenant between Me and you and will multiply you exceedingly.”

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 18:7–11 (NKJV)  Peter’s attempt to fight preceded Peter’s denial. Now Judas would seem to win. 

The Main Theme

I AM – One of the main themes this Gospel of John is presenting Jesus as the “I AM”

³⁵ And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. John 6:35 (NKJV) Bread, meeting our need for sustenance.

¹² Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12 (NKJV) Light for vision & knowledge.

⁷ Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. John 10:7 (NKJV) A Door for our entrance.

¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. John 10:11 (NKJV)

The Good Shepherd because we need guidance and protection.

²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. John 11:25 (NKJV)  The resurrection & life because we are dead in sin, and need to be made alive.

⁶ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6 (NKJV) The Way, the Truth and the Life, as He is our only way to God.

¹⁵ “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. John 15:1 (NKJV)

The True Vine, because He is our Source of joy & eternal blessedness!

¹⁷ “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. ¹⁸ No one takes it 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 command I have received from My Father.” John 10:17–18 (NKJV)