“I fear not the tyranny of man, neither what the devil may invent against me.”
John Knox
The greatest display of courage ever exhibited on earth was by the Lord Jesus. It took place when he set off to go to the garden (of Gethsemane) and en route crossed the brook Kidron, (which means ‘dark waters’). Here is the account from John’s Gospel:
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. 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. Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” (John 18:1-4)
The Kidron brook did not flow year-round. It was found at the bottom of the Kidron ravine. This ravine separated the east side of Jerusalem from the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus crossed the brook which would have been flowing at this time of year and due to the large number of Passover lambs being slain, the brook would have been running red. William Barclay explains, “a drain ran down from the temple alter to the Kidron ravine.” What a picture! The lamb of God crossing the Kidron and observing the flowing blood of all those lambs and his sure knowledge that he would bring to an end the sacrificial system because he was about to offer “for all time a single sacrifice for sins.” (Hebrews 10:12)
Jesus also displayed great courage in going to the garden. He knew that this secluded and private place would provide his enemies an opportunity to arrest him. He crossed the Kidron and went “where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place…” Judas understood that this was a favorite location of Jesus and that the likelihood was high that he would make his way there. The Gospel of Luke informs, “And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet.” (Luke 21:37, note that at the foot of the Mount of Olives lies the Garden of Gethsemane.) While Judas, with imperfect and incomplete knowledge, had guessed of Jesus’ whereabouts, Jesus with perfect knowledge, chose not to hide but to deliver himself over to his enemies, “Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “whom do you seek?” (John 18:4) He asked the arresting party, the very same question we close our devotional with, “whom do you seek?” Today, are you seeking Jesus? Seek him for salvation is to be found only in him. Have a blessed week and we will see many of you on Sunday.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Dale
