John 18:1-2. 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. And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place:
He was familiar with the Master's place of retirement for private prayer and he had, doubtless, heard the Master pray there. Yes, and many a Judas knows the place where the saints meet for worship, and knows the communion table too, and knows some of the most hallowed gatherings of God's people where they pour out their hearts in private prayer; and the pity is that, knowing all that, too, the ancient Judas and the modern one do not savingly know the Master himself.
John 18:2. For Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.
If ever any man might have lived without prayer, it was our Lord Jesus Christ. His humanity was perfect, yet he abounded in prayer; and the nearer we grow to Christian perfection the more shall we pray. I heard of one who said that she was so perfectly acquiescent in the will of God that she had left off praying, she had got beyond that! What a fearful delusion! God save all of us from ever falling into it! Here is One who could say from his heart, «O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.» He expressed in prayer his perfect acquiescence in his Father's will, Did Christ, our Lord and Master pray so, and will any who profess to be his followers speak so presumptuously as to say that they can live without prayer? God forbid!
John 18:3. Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
What strange paraphernalia they brought with them to the garden of Gethsemane,- «lanterns» to show them the way to the Sun of righteousness, «torches» with which to find out the bright and morning Star and «weapons» with which to overcome the Lamb of God, who had nothing to oppose to them but his own innocence.
John 18:4. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
It is a wonderfully suggestive thought that Jesus knew everything that would happen to him. Martyrs and other sufferers for Christ's sake have had some measure of foresight of what they had to endure; but none of them could have so exquisite a foretaste of everything as our blessed Lord had. He knew it all, every single atom of pain, and anguish, and heartbreak. He knew it all, yet he calmly «went forth» to meet it, and said to those who came to drag him away to his death, «Whom seek ye?»
John 18:5-6. They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
«Jesus saith unto them, I am;» as though appropriating to himself the name of Jehovah, and «they went backward, and fell to the ground,» astounded and confounded. Even though he restrained his omnipotence, he claimed the omnipotent name I AM, and before the majesty of that name they prostrated themselves upon the ground.
John 18:7-9. Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: that the saying might be fulfilled which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.
That was a very gracious saying of Christ's, «If therefore ye seek me, let these go their way.» This is what Christ says on his people's behalf to death, and to the law and the justice of God, and though this saying does not excuse the disciples' flight, it does make some sort of apology for their going away every man to his own home. Christ knew that they would be safer there. One of them followed him afar off instead of going his way, and you know what came of it. There is a time for openly following Christ, and there is a time when Jesus says, «Let these go their way.» So, right to the end he takes care of his sheep and bids them scatter for a while now that the sword is about to enter their Shepherd's heart.
This exposition consisted of readings from John 17:1, and John 18:1-9.