The Willing Savior

The Willing Savior 

John 18:1-27

On September 11, 2001, four airplanes were hijacked by terrorists who intended to use them as weapons against the United States. Two struck the World Trade Center. A third struck the Pentagon. But the fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, never reached its intended target. There were forty passengers and crew members aboard Flight 93 that morning. As the hijackers took control of the plane, several passengers began calling their loved ones. Through those conversations, they learned what was happening in New York and Washington. They realized their plane was going to be used as a weapon to kill innocent people.

One of those passengers was Todd Beamer, a thirty-two-year-old husband and father. As the passengers prepared to fight back against the hijackers, Beamer spoke the words that would become famous across America: "Are you guys ready? Okay. Let's roll." The passengers fought to regain control of the plane, knowing their actions could cost them their lives. Flight 93 crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. Everyone aboard was killed, but the plane never reached its intended target. Their courage likely saved the lives of countless others.

We rightly honor such courage of those who are willing to lay down their lives for others. We are moved by the willingness of ordinary men and women to sacrifice themselves so that others might live. Those passengers did not board Flight 93 knowing they would die. They did not know what was coming when they left their homes and families that morning. They simply responded courageously when evil confronted them.

When Jesus walked in the garden, he knew exactly what was coming. He knew he would be betrayed, arrested, beaten, and crucified. He knew the suffering that awaited Him and He still willingly walked toward it.

Unlike the passengers of Flight 93, Jesus had the power to stop everything. He could have destroyed His enemies with a word. He could have summoned legions of angels. He could have walked away from the garden that night, and no one could have stopped Him but he didn’t he stop them, because He came into this world to lay down His life for His sheep. Earlier in John's Gospel, Jesus declared in John 10:17–18:

“For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

Beloved, I want you to see that Jesus was not an unwilling victim of sinful men, rather He was the willing Savior of sinful men. No one took His life from Him. He laid it down of His own accord. We will walk through this passage showing Jesus is a willing Savior of sinners. 

Jesus Willingly Surrenders (vv. 1–6)

Jesus has just finished his high priestly prayer asking God to glorify himself through his sacrifice and to unite all followers of Christ together as one. John 18:1,

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. 

After their final meal together, Jesus led His disciples out of Jerusalem, across the Kidron Valley, to a garden on the Mount of Olives. It was a familiar place. Jesus had often gathered there with His disciples, and Judas knew exactly where to find Him. John does not record all the details of the garden, but the other Gospel writers tell us that Jesus prayed in great agony, submitting Himself to the Father's will. He knew what was coming, yet He willingly went to the very place where His betrayer would find Him.

Judas went to the garden knowing Jesus was going to be there and he came ready for his betrayal, but was not ready for how Jesus would respond, John 18:2–3

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.

Judas came prepared to arrest Jesus, but Jesus had no intention of fleeing. He knew exactly what was coming, and rather than hide from His enemies, He stepped forward to meet them. Notice what John says in verses 4–6

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. 

Notice those opening words, “knowing all that would happen to him,” again Jesus is not an unwilling victim but a willing substitute. He went to the garden knowing Judas would come to him. And Jesus testifies once more about who he is, “Whom do you seek?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” and he replies, “I am he.” The original Greek simply reads, “egō eimi, or  I AM”  As we have seen throughout John’s gospel, Jesus continues to identify himself with God’s name in the Old Testament.

And when Jesus revealed his identity as God incarnate, the soldiers drew back and fell to the ground. They either drew back because they would have considered this blasphemy but more likely the sheer power of his voice caused them to stagger. It reminds me of 2 Thess 2:8 when the lawless one will be revealed, whom, the text says, “the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth.” There is power in Jesus' words! 

Beloved, consider the power of the words of Jesus. With a simple declaration, armed soldiers fell to the ground. And this is the same Savior whose words have been preserved for us in Scripture. How precious, then, should God's Word be to us! The psalmist declares that God's Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. It is sweeter than honey and more precious than gold. It gives wisdom to the simple, comfort to the afflicted, and strength to the weary. And the Savior whose words caused soldiers to fall is the same Savior whose words give eternal life. Beloved, read His Word. Meditate upon it. Memorize it. Treasure the words of the One who willingly laid down His life for you.

Jesus Willingly Protects (vv. 7–9)

In the previous chapter, often called the high priestly prayer, Jesus intercedes for his people before the Father, and here we see the same interceding character, John 18:7–9

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.” 

Jesus says, “I’m the one you are after, so let these men go.” Jesus steps in the gap and protects his disciples once more. In the previous chapter, Jesus prays, John 17:12

While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

Jesus knows our frame, he knows we are but dust. These disciples could not yet bear the punishment of being recognized with Christ. They will only be ready after the resurrection and ascension when the Holy Spirit is sent to guide and empower them. 

Beloved, Jesus is always interceding for us. I know some of you feel like Paul did in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, 

For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. 

You may have your own “Asian affliction” and may feel utterly burdened beyond your strength. You are not alone and God is not absent. He is working. Paul continues, 

But that (overwhelming affliction) was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead…we have set our hope on him that he will deliver us again.”

Beloved, God may allow you to experience suffering that is far beyond your ability to endure on your own. That is precisely what Paul experienced. But He will never abandon you in your suffering. He knows your weakness, He understands your limitations, and He will sustain you by His grace. The same Savior who protected His disciples in the garden continues to care for His people today. Jesus does not promise that we will escape every trial, but He does promise that nothing can ultimately separate His sheep from His saving care.

Jesus Willingly Obeys (vv. 10–11)

The scene continues with a burst of impulsive courage, Peter defends his friend and master, John 18:10,

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.) 

One can admire Peter’s zeal to protect his master, but his zeal was not according to knowledge (Romans 10). John is the only gospel writer to identify Peter as the disciple to use the sword and Malchus as the one having his ear cut off. John most likely included both as he was an eyewitness to the event and to prove the historical reliability of these events. This is no mere story, but true history. Readers could verify this event by talking to Malchus or someone in his family. Luke also mentions Jesus healing the ear after it was cut off.

I believe John is using Peter as a contrast to Jesus. Peter wants to defeat Christ’s enemies by using the sword while Jesus wants to save Christ’s enemies by taking the sword. John 18:11

So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?” 

Jesus willingly obeys the Father as he is ready to drink the cup. We know from the other gospel writers in the garden Jesus prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42) Jesus was ready to willingly take this cup. What is this cup? 

Throughout the Old Testament, the cup is often used as an image of God's righteous judgment against sin. Psalm 75:8 declares, “For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup with foaming wine, well mixed, and he pours out from it, and all the wicked of the earth shall drain it down to the dregs.” The picture is terrifying. God holds a cup filled with His holy wrath against the wicked, and those who drink it must experience the fullness of His judgment. Isaiah 51:17 calls it “the cup of his wrath.” Jeremiah 25 uses the same imagery, and the book of Revelation warns that those who reject God will drink the wine of His wrath, poured full strength into the cup of His anger.

Beloved, this is what our sin deserves. Every act of rebellion, every wicked thought, every rejection of God's authority deserves His righteous judgment. God is holy, and because He is holy, He must judge sin. And the terrifying reality is that apart from Christ, every one of us must drink that cup ourselves.

Now consider what Jesus is saying in the garden. He knows exactly what is in the cup His Father has given Him. He is not merely anticipating the physical agony of crucifixion, as terrible as that would be. He is preparing to bear the judgment that our sins deserve. The cup that should have been placed in our hands would be placed in His. Isaiah 53:5 declares, “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”

Do you see what Jesus is willingly doing? The only truly innocent man who ever lived is preparing to receive the judgment deserved by guilty sinners. He will drink the cup of God's wrath so that His people might receive the cup of salvation (Psalm 116:13). Peter wanted to protect Jesus with a sword, but Jesus was determined to protect Peter through His sacrifice. Jesus willingly obeyed the Father, choosing to drink the cup of wrath so that all who trust in Him would never have to drink it themselves.

Take a moment and think about your sin. You know what your sin deserves. Think of the day when the bill comes due to pay for your sin. Imagine standing on the shoreline when suddenly the ocean begins to pull back. The water retreats farther and farther until the ocean floor is exposed. Then, in the distance, you see it. A massive tsunami is racing toward the shore. The wave rises higher and higher, carrying with it a force that will destroy everything in its path. You have nowhere to run. There is no higher ground to reach. You know that when that wave arrives, you will be swept away.

But just before the wave crashes upon you, an enormous rock rises between you and the approaching water. The full force of the tsunami crashes against that rock. The waves pound against it with unimaginable power. The rock bears the full force of the wave until it breaks beneath the weight of the water. And when the waters finally recede, you are still standing. What should have swept you away has fallen upon the rock instead. The rock was broken, but you were spared.

Beloved, that is a picture of what Jesus Christ has done for all who have turned to Him in faith. The judgment of God against our sin was coming, and we had no way to escape it. We could not outrun it. We could not withstand it. We could not save ourselves. Yet Jesus Christ, the Rock of our Salvation, willingly stood in our place. At the cross, the full weight of God's righteous wrath against our sin fell upon Him. He bore the judgment we deserved, suffered the punishment we earned, and died the death that should have been ours. Jesus did not merely suffer for sinners. He died for sinners. He willingly drank the cup of God's wrath down to its very last drop. And when He cried out, “It is finished,” the debt of our sin had been paid in full. His lifeless body was placed in a borrowed tomb, but death could not hold Him. On the third day, Jesus Christ rose victorious over sin and death. The cup of wrath had been emptied, the sacrifice had been accepted, and the judgment that should have been ours had fallen upon Christ, so that all who trust in Him might be saved.

Friend, if you have yet to believe in Christ, the judgment of God against your sin remains before you. You cannot escape it through your own goodness, but Jesus willingly drank the cup of wrath so that sinners might be saved. You must either bear the judgment your sin deserves or trust in the Savior who bore that judgment for His people. Turn from your sin and trust in Jesus Christ today. Because He willingly died, you can be freely forgiven.

Jesus Willingly Testifies (vv. 12–14, 19–24)

Since Jesus willingly surrendered himself to the officers, they took him to the high priest for the beginning of his bogus trial, John 18:12–14,

So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people. 

Notice that Jesus is first taken to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas. Annas had previously served as high priest, and although he no longer officially held the office, he continued to exercise considerable influence over the Jewish religious establishment. His son-in-law Caiaphas was the acting high priest. 

John reminds us of something important about Caiaphas. Back in John 11:49–52, Caiaphas had argued that it would be better for one man to die than for the whole nation to perish. He was speaking politically, believing that killing Jesus would protect their power, their position, and their nation from Roman interference. John tells us that Caiaphas had unknowingly prophesied something far greater. Jesus really would die for the people, but not in the way Caiaphas imagined, He would die as a substitute for sinners, gathering the scattered children of God into one family, Jew and Gentile. The religious leaders thought they were controlling the circumstances of Jesus' death, but they were actually fulfilling the sovereign purposes of God. Even as Jesus stands bound before these wicked men, He is not a helpless victim. He is the willing Savior accomplishing the very salvation His Father had planned from the beginning.

As Jesus was taken inside to face the religious rulers, John switches to Peter and explains what is happening outside, but we will continue first with Jesus’ testimony. John 18:19–24,

The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Annas questions Him about His disciples and His teaching. He wants to know who has been following Jesus and what Jesus has been telling the people, but Jesus refuses to participate in this dishonest interrogation. He reminds Annas that He has spoken openly in the synagogues and in the temple. His teaching was not a secret. If they wanted to know what He taught, they could call witnesses to testify, but most likely they have already heard him themselves. Then one of the officers strikes Jesus for His response. Think about the injustice of this moment. The only innocent man who ever lived is standing before sinful men who are determined to condemn Him. They have no legitimate accusation against Him, so they resort to violence. 

Yet notice how Jesus responds. He does not threaten the officer or retaliate against him. He simply asks, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” Jesus willingly submits to suffering, but He does not abandon the truth. He exposes the injustice of His accusers while remaining perfectly obedient to His Father. The men who should have been defending the truth are attacking the One who is the Truth. And the Savior who could have called down judgment upon them willingly endures their mistreatment so that He might accomplish our salvation.

Beloved, there is much for us to learn from the way Jesus responds to unjust criticism. How do you respond when someone speaks harshly to you? When someone misrepresents your words, questions your motives, or accuses you of something you did not do? Our natural response is to defend ourselves, return insult for insult, or make sure everyone knows our side of the story. But Peter, the very disciple who drew his sword in the garden, would later write in 1 Peter 2:21–23, 

“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” 

Did you catch that? To this you have been called. Christians are called to follow the example of Jesus, even when we are treated unfairly. When someone criticizes you, you do not have to respond with anger. When someone misrepresents you, you do not have to destroy their reputation to defend your own. When someone insults you, you do not have to return the insult. Jesus shows us another way.

Now, this does not mean that Christians must remain silent when someone lies about them or treats them unjustly. Jesus Himself challenged the injustice of the officer who struck Him. There is a time to speak the truth, correct false accusations, and confront wrongdoing. But there is a difference between defending the truth and defending our pride. Sometimes criticism exposes sin in our lives, and we need the humility to listen, repent, and change. Other times criticism is unfair, and we need the patience to endure it without becoming bitter or retaliating. 

Whether you are criticized by your spouse, misunderstood by a friend, mistreated by a coworker: Am I responding like Jesus, or am I responding like Peter with a sword in my hand? You may not carry a physical sword, but your words can cut just as deeply. You can wound someone with sarcasm, gossip, harsh words, or a determination to win every argument. Beloved, you do not have to win every argument or correct every misunderstanding. You can entrust your reputation, your circumstances, and your future to the God who judges justly. Jesus was willing to suffer unjustly for our salvation. Surely, by His grace, we can learn to endure unjust criticism for His glory.

Jesus Willingly Remains Faithful (vv. 15-18; 25–27)

As Jesus testifies before Annas, Peter and another disciple, most likely John, experience their own trial outside, John 18:15–18,

Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself. 

Peter is asked by one of the servant girls if he was with Jesus, but he said simply, “I am not.” Notice how John describes Peter after his first denial, the servants and the officers were warming themselves, “Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.” 

Think about who Peter was. This was the man who had walked on water, confessed that Jesus was the Christ, witnessed His transfiguration, and just moments earlier had drawn a sword against armed soldiers. We might understand his denial if a Roman centurion had confronted him with a sword and threatened his life. We might understand if a Pharisee had dragged him before the high priest and threatened him with arrest. But neither happened. It was a servant girl who asked whether he was one of Jesus' disciples. As one author notes, “He needed little provocation to deny Christ.” That is the terrifying power of the fear of man. Peter did not need an army threatening his life to deny Jesus. All it took was a question from a servant girl. The man who had been willing to fight for Jesus was now unwilling to admit that he knew Him. 

And before we judge Peter too harshly, we ought to ask ourselves how often we have done the very same thing. How many times have we remained silent when we had an opportunity to speak about Jesus because we were afraid of what others might think? Students, how many times have you hidden your faith at school because you were afraid your friends might make fun of you? Maybe you have avoided telling a friend about Jesus because you were afraid it might damage your friendship. Or perhaps you have remained silent when someone mocked Christ or His church because you did not want to make the conversation uncomfortable.

 Beloved, the fear of man does not always lead us to openly deny Jesus with our words. Sometimes we deny Him through our silence, our compromises, and our unwillingness to be identified with Him. Proverbs 29:25 reminds us, “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.” Confess your fear of man and recommit yourself to the fear of God. 

We pick up the end of this scene with Peter standing with the servants by the charcoal fire, John 18:25–27,

Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.

There it is. Three times Peter was asked if he knew Jesus, and three times he denied Him. And then the rooster crowed. Just hours earlier, Peter had boldly declared that he was willing to lay down his life for Jesus. In John 13:37, he said, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” But Jesus knew Peter better than Peter knew himself. He responded, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.” And now, just as Jesus had said, Peter denied Him three times. 

John places Peter's denial right alongside Jesus' testimony before the high priest. Inside, Jesus stands before powerful religious leaders and faithfully speaks the truth. Outside, Peter stands before servants and repeatedly denies the truth. Jesus is surrounded by men who want to kill Him, yet He remains faithful. Peter is surrounded by people warming themselves beside a fire, and he falls. Jesus acknowledges who He is, while Peter denies who Jesus is. The contrast could not be clearer. Peter had promised to lay down his life for Jesus, but Jesus was the One who would lay down His life for Peter.

And beloved, here is the wonderful news of the gospel. Peter's failure did not change Jesus' determination to save him. Jesus knew Peter would deny Him before they ever entered the garden. He knew every word Peter would speak beside that charcoal fire. He knew the fear, the lies, and the shame that would follow. Yet Jesus still willingly surrendered Himself. He still protected His disciples. He still received the cup from His Father. He still testified to the truth. And He still went to the cross. Why? Because the salvation of Peter did not depend upon the faithfulness of Peter. It depended upon the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. Peter failed his Savior, but his Savior would not fail him.

I love what Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:13: “If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.” Jesus cannot be anything other than who He is. He is always faithful to His own holy character. He is faithful to His Father's will, faithful to His promises, faithful in His judgment against sin, and faithful to save those who belong to Him. His faithfulness does not mean He overlooks sin or that we are free to deny Christ without consequence. God is faithful to both His promises of salvation and His warnings of judgment. Peter's denial was a terrible sin, but the failures of genuine believers cannot overturn the saving purposes of our faithful Savior. Our hope is not that we have never failed Jesus. Our hope is that Jesus has never failed us.

And we know this is not the end of Peter's story. In a few chapters, in John 21, after Jesus rises from the dead, He meets His disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. The men come in from fishing and Jesus has prepared a charcoal fire. Do you remember where Peter was standing when he denied Jesus? Beside a charcoal fire. Now, beside another charcoal fire, the risen Savior graciously confronts and restores His fallen disciple. Three times Peter had denied knowing Jesus. Three times Jesus asks him, “Do you love me?” And three times Jesus commissions Peter to care for His sheep. Jesus does not pretend Peter's sin never happened. He deals with it and restores him to useful service. The One Peter denied is the very One who welcomes him back.

Christian, perhaps you hear Peter's story this morning and see something of yourself. You remember a time when you were ashamed to identify with Christ. Perhaps you have wandered far from the Lord, and you wonder whether He would ever welcome you back. Look at Peter. His failure was real, but so was the grace of his Savior. The same Jesus who restored Peter is gracious toward His repentant people today. Do not run from Him in shame. Run to Him in repentance and faith. He is not reluctant to forgive those who come to Him. He is the Good Shepherd who willingly laid down His life for His sheep. And church, let us remember where our confidence must rest. We are not saved because we have always stood faithfully for Him. We are saved because He stood faithfully in our place.  

Jesus Christ knew the suffering that awaited Him before He ever entered the garden. He knew the betrayal of Judas, the injustice of the religious leaders, and the denial of Peter. He knew the pain of the cross and the cup of judgment He would drink. Yet He willingly walked toward it all. He did not surrender because He was weak. He surrendered because He loved His people. He did not receive the cup because He was helpless, but obedient. He did not die because His enemies were stronger than Him. He died because He was determined to save sinners.

And friend, if you have never trusted in Jesus Christ, I plead with you to consider what He has done. The cup of God's judgment against sin is real. You cannot escape it through your morality, religion, or good works, but know Jesus Christ willingly gave Himself as a substitute to deliver us from our sins. Turn from your sin and trust in Him today. He is able and still a willing Savior. 

Beloved, what a Savior we have! Even when those closest to Him failed, Jesus remained faithful. And He will remain faithful to us until the very end. Listen to the wonderful promise of 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24: “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” What a glorious promise! As Sibbes has said, “There is more mercy in Christ than sin in us.” We have failed Him more times than we could ever count, but He has never failed us. And He never will. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.