Thoughts on the Gospel of John (175) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

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. And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
John 18:1–3

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (175)
Jesus addressed comforting words to His disciples and then turned to His heavenly Father in prayer. The occasion for this was the great change that was about to take place: He would go back to His Father in heaven, the Holy Spirit would come to this earth, and the disciples would have to stay behind in an unbelieving world. But they are not left on their own: the three Persons of the Godhead are working in their favour.

Now the Lord makes His way to the Garden of Gethsemane. How often He must have visited this place with His disciples to talk to them there in the evening and perhaps also to pray. This time there is a particularly oppressive atmosphere: one is missing from the group – Judas. He would usually have been there, but now he is with the enemies of Jesus and is even their leader. He comes with about 1,000 soldiers, all well armed. Doesn’t Judas know that the Lord will never strike a blow in self-defence?

What the Lord Jesus feels here when He sees Judas is not reported by the evangelist. But we may assume that this pained Him deeply. The Book of Psalms gives us a glimpse into His heart: “For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; then I could hide from him. But it was you, a man my equal,my companion and my acquaintance” (Psalm 55:12–13).

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today’s reading: Nehemiah 1:1-11 · Proverbs 10:11-21