John 18:1-11 gives us an insider's account of what happened on the night Jesus was arrested. We read there that Jesus, after he had finished praying, left with His disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. He was headed to one of His favorite places to pray, Gethsemane (meaning "olive press"). There He would soon be arrested.
We read that Jesus and His disciples went into the garden. This suggests that the garden was an enclosed setting, probably with a gate. If you visit there today, you'll find this to be the case. One way in and one way out.
Jesus entered this garden at night and would have certainly been able to see the detachment of soldiers Judas was leading across the valley with their torches and lanterns...and weapons. They were on a serious mission and they were ready for resistance. But they'd find none.
John then writes (v. 4), "Knowing all that was going to happen to him..." This is a nice way to say that Jesus knew that He would be betrayed by a friend, harshly bound, unfairly tried, beaten mercilessly, and crucified on the cruelness of the cross. Knowing all this, you would think that Jesus, under the dark of night could easily jump the wall (remember it's night) and escape. But John tells a different story. "Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out."
Think about what this says about our Savior! He chose to go to the cross for us. He was in complete control of the situation and of His emotions. He meant it when He said that no one takes His life from Him but that He laid it down - for us.
Matthew Henry writes concerning the fact that Jesus stepped forward to offer Himself for us: "Our Lord, like a bold champion, took the field first." When you think of it, that's what He always did. Not only did He step out of the garden, He stepped out of glory. Though He is God, He became Man so that He could take our place as the punishment for our sin.
Today, take a moment to thank your Savior for stepping out of the garden... and glory.
From Grace, George
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