Sermon Guide: John 18:1-11 “The Brook & The Garden”

Date Preached: April 6, 2025

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Key Passages

John 18:1–11, ESV

When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” 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.) So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

Sermon Overview

Jesus Christ was no victim. The Gospel-writer, John, makes certain we know that. Though Jesus is arrested in John 18, there’s no doubt who’s in charge: he picks the spot, he initiates the confrontation, and he commands the troops to release his friends.

Though he had the power to evade capture (and more), he chose the way of the cross. He chose the way of love. He knew how bad it would be, and he went through with it anyway — for love of the Father, and love of you.

Sermon Structure

1. The Testing of Jesus

• Taking the easy way out

• The brook Kidron: a place of death & betrayal

2. The Resolve of Jesus

• The two “I Am” statements

3. Glimmers of New Creation

• Comparing Adams

Definitions & Resources

Synoptic Gospels

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Herman Ridderbos said, “The first three Gospels are called synoptic (‘seeing together’) because they present the life and ministry of Jesus in a similar way, often with parallel content, structure, and wording.”

Gospels

The word “gospel” means “good news,” but when capitalized (e.g. “the Gospel according to Mark”) we’re referring to the four Gospels in the New Testament, which are ancient biographical literature about the life of Jesus.

The Kidron Valley

The Kidron Valley lies between the city of Jerusalem (west), and the Mount of Olives (east). At the valley’s basin runs a wintertime stream (or wadi) called the brook Kidron, first mentioned in 2 Samuel 15. The stream runs down in wintertime to the Dead Sea, and is alluded to in Ezekiel 47 when the prophet sees water spurt from the east side of temple, running down to the dead sea and making everything come alive.

The Mount of Olives

A ~2 mile long ridge-top running north and south just to the east of Jerusalem. King David fled from Absalom over the summit of the Mount of Olives (2 Sam. 15); Judah’s last king, Zedekiah, flees over the Mount of Olives from the Babylonians (2 Kings 24); because of the corruption of God’s people, the Spirit of God departs from the Temple and stands on the Mount of Olives (Ezekiel 11:23); and Zechariah prophesies that in the last days, the LORD himself will plant his feet on the Mount of Olives, and it will split from east to west, creating a new path of safety for God’s people to find refuge.

Questions for Discussion & Reflection

1. Jesus wasn’t “murdered” by humans, nor was he the victim of “divine child abuse.” How do we know that, and why is it important that we know that?

2. How does Jesus show both power and restraint in John 18?

3. What hope does John 18 give you for God’s work of New Creation in your life?

Prayer Prompts

Thanksgiving

• Thank Jesus for knowingly and willingly taking the cup of wrath in our place.

• Praise God for the power Jesus displayed — and the love he showed by restraining it.

Confession

• Confess areas where you've tried to “take the easy way out” rather than trusting God’s path.

Petition

• Ask for deeper gratitude and understanding of Christ’s substitutionary work.

• Pray for greater resolve to follow Jesus in the face of testing or difficulty.

• Ask God to bring “glimmers of new creation” into areas of brokenness in your life or community.