Easter - Pre-Context

Easter - Pre-Context

Reference : John 18:1-12 CEVUK

[1] When Jesus had finished praying, he and his disciples crossed the Kidron Valley and went into a garden. 

[2] Jesus had often met there with his disciples, and Judas knew where the place was. 

[3-5] Judas had promised to betray Jesus. So he went to the garden with some Roman soldiers and temple police, who had been sent by the chief priests and the Pharisees. They carried torches, lanterns, and weapons. Jesus already knew everything that was going to happen, but he asked, “Who are you looking for?” They answered, “We are looking for Jesus from Nazareth!” Jesus told them, “I am Jesus!” 

[6] At once they all backed away and fell to the ground. 

[7] Jesus again asked, “Who are you looking for?” “We are looking for Jesus from Nazareth,” they answered. 

[8] This time Jesus replied, “I have already told you that I am Jesus. If I am the one you are looking for, let these others go. 

[9] Then everything will happen, just as I said, ‘I did not lose anyone you gave me.’ ” 

[10] Simon Peter had brought along a sword. He now pulled it out and struck at the servant of the high priest. The servant's name was Malchus, and Peter cut off his right ear. 

[11] Jesus told Peter, “Put your sword away. I must drink from the cup that the Father has given me.”   

[12] The Roman officer and his men, together with the temple police, arrested Jesus and tied him up. 

NT Wright writes that the story of God and man begins in a garden: where God and man walk in the evening breeze, and the family live in harmony with each other and nature. And it is here that He comes to find them, where they have always been, where they spent time together. God searches for them, but there is no answer. Man hides because something has happened. Friendship is shattered, there is evil in the air. Love, the most beautiful and fragile of all plants in the garden, has been trampled. 

It would take thousands of years to grow again. And in this garden, we find that the roles have been reversed. People, filled with disappointment and violence in their hearts, come to a garden in the evening, looking for Someone. Like all of us, they are looking for God, but they do not know what He looks like. Jesus does not hide. He is ready for the cup that His Father has given Him and He is ready to drink it. The new Adam steps forward to meet the old Adam. The Light of the world stands before them with their lamps and torches. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot extinguish it.

Jesus asks: Who are you looking for?

They answer, Jesus of Nazareth. To them, He is an ordinary man, a threat to who they think God is and for whom God stands for. Their distorted image of who God is drives them to deceive, betray, and ultimately crucify Him.

Our image of what God is like, and of how God “should” act, can take us on a path of disappointment, disillusionment, and of running away. Can we let go of our preconceived ideas so that we can get to know and experience Him who is the “I Am”, anew?

Jesus says that if you see Him, you have seen the Father. He is the bread of life, the light of the world, the resurrection, the way, the truth, and the life.

Father, I ask for the Grace to seek You above all else and to follow You with trust and surrender. In Jesus Name, Amen.