Fear and Uncertainty In The Garden

As we draw closer to Resurrection (Easter) Sunday, I want to continue to bring focus to the final days - the final hours - of Jesus' life before His crucifixion. This week I wanted to look at the arrest of Jesus. Jesus' arrest is recorded in each of the four Gospels, however each of the Gospel writers included descriptive details that add to the account. So, below is the account of Jesus' arrest as told by the four Gospel writers to give us the most vivid detail of what happened on that night in the Garden of Gethsemane. 

John 18:2-12

² Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.³ So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.(swords and clubs) ⁴ Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” ⁵ “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) ⁶ When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. ⁷ Again he asked them,  “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said. ⁸ Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” ⁹ This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”

Mark 14:44-45

⁴⁴ Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” ⁴⁵ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. 

Luke 22:48-49

⁴⁸ but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”⁴⁹ When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” 

John 18:10-11

¹⁰ Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) ¹¹ Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

Luke 22:51

“No more of this!” And Jesus touched the man’s ear and healed him.

Matthew 26:52-54

⁵² “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. ⁵³ Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? ⁵⁴ But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

John 18:12

¹² Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him

Mark 14:48-52a

⁴⁸ “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? ⁴⁹ Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me.

Luke:22:53b

But this is your hour – when darkness reigns

Matthew26:56a

But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled

Mark 14:50

⁵⁰ Then everyone deserted him and fled. ⁵¹ A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him,⁵² he fled naked, leaving his garment behind. (This is widely believed to have been John Mark)

After reading this account it is obvious that there was much fear. The soldiers and religious leaders were afraid of the crowds and/or a riot Peter was afraid of defeat. The disciples were afraid of embarrassment and/or persecution. But Jesus was confident in God’s will for Him and God’s plan for humanity.  

Likewise, there was an uncertainty in the air that night as Jesus was arrested and was led away by the Roman officials and the religious leaders of the day. This is what darkness - sin, evil, Satan - does, fear gives way to uncertainty and it drives a wedge between us and God. If we are not faithful to Him we find that we are running - scared and embarrassed - and we may find it difficult to return to The One who is able to comfort us, calm us, and saves us from our deepest fears and uncertainty.