John 18 THE CUP. Whoever would have thought “the cup” would take the Son of God Who holds all power in heaven and earth in His own hands, From bended knees and prostrate form as He to the Father prayed – He arises and is bound as common mortal man would be retained in public. A fatal kiss, remnants of strong prayer in bloody streaks on His face – a final miracle, The first swallow of “the cup” is taken, and the Son of God is led away!
Whoever would have thought “the cup” would place the Son of God Before those priestly offices Almighty God Himself ordained To represent Him before the people – whoever would have thought They would proclaim a death sentence on Him who holds their breath. And in defiance to the holy word they pledge to uphold, The second swallow of “the cup” is condemnation by those supposed to be His servants.
Whoever would have thought “the cup” would leave the Son of God Alone before false accusers; betrayed by a “three and a half year” companion, Denied by one who proclaimed fidelity unto death itself takes place, Abandoned by the faithful few who followed Him, then fled. “Lover and friend” no longer to be found to help bear the load – The third swallow from “the cup” leaves Him as alone as a single sparrow.
Whoever would have thought “the cup” would stand the Son of God Before an earthly judge though He Himself is universal Judge Of the quick and dead – and that frail judge declares innocence
On every count four times over, knowing envy was the culprit. Still under pressure of place and privilege easily lost The fourth swallow from “the cup – a guilty man goes free – the just must die.
“Holy God, who is righteous and just in all Thy doings: I pray I never will forget or in any way diminish the terribleness of the cup the Lord Jesus had to drain. The path He walked to the cross was full of bitterness. The cross itself: the humiliation associated with it, the pain and suffering there, the load of the “iniquity of us all” was all in that cup He drained. May I never ever be willing to trivialize such bitterness has He had to drink on my account. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
John 18:13, 28; 19:16. “And led Him away to Annas first…Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment… And they took Jesus and led Him away.”
LED HIM. The fulfillment of scripture was one of the evidences of who the Lord Jesus was. There was no mistaking the fulfillment of Isaiah 53. He who had every source of power in the universe in Himself, was led as an animal would be led. Two sides of the nature of a sheep are contrasted in Isaiah 53. In verse 6 the stubborn, ignorance of a sheep that demands its own way, is spoken of concerning us. In verse 7 the uncomplaining submission that conquers suffering by absorbing it is presented in the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He was led from the garden to where the ancient priest sat waiting for Him to come. Annas had left the office of the high priest in AD 15 but apparently still exercised great influence over the tenure of his son-in-law Caiaphas who was high priest until AD 36. Annas would have been aware of the impact of the work and life of the Lord Jesus. His question about the disciples and his doctrine would not have been one of honest inquiry but of seeking to find discrepancy in His life and testimony. For the Lord to have been following behind the basest of men was evidence of His humility and willingness to do His Father’s will and fulfill the scripture.
He was led to the palace of the high priest in the dark of night, against laws that protected the innocent victim of man’s envy. Yet bound and walking behind those who took the place of leading and guiding, and walking in silence came Him who holds the breath of every man in His hand. He who can create or destroy with the word of His power, was led to the high priest. Before Caiaphas came false witnesses to testify against Him who was led there. Even their testimony didn’t agree. The priest who led the nation, put Him under oath to the living God to tell publicly if He was the Christ, the Son of God. Without any hesitation, the Lord Jesus declares who He is and what is yet to take place in the future. The priest tears his garments that never should have been torn. He who was led to the priest is condemned by the priest who should have taken the moral high ground as the spiritual leader of a nation.
He was led to the hall of judgment where the Roman governor came out to pass his judgment. He, to whom the nations are as a “drop in a bucket,” stands quietly before this man as he seeks some reason for His arrest. “Are You the King of the Jews?” The dialogue that follows reveals unmistakably, that an innocent Man had been brought before the judge. But to please the people and because of friendship with Caesar, this man condemned Jesus to die. He was taken to prison and to judgment and led to the cross to die.
He was led to the place of a skull. Why did He submit Himself to the frail ropes of man’s leading? Why would He, who can burn the ropes on prisoners’ hands in a furnace of fire without injury, follow so unresistingly? The scriptures of truth had to be fulfilled. The Substitute had to go this way. The evidence had to be there for all generations to see that the Lord Jesus Christ was the Lamb chosen to bear away the sin of the world. And so He was “led” by His own creatures to follow the path to the cross.
“I know Father that it was in the plan of redemption that the Lord Jesus should go this way. Yet is still seems hard to consider that the humiliation and rejection of the Savior was so demeaning that He would follow the leading of such sinful people and be willing to be led. I am humbled at this scene because it is so different from what I would be like. I wonder – would I be willing to follow in His steps? Amen.”