John 18:1-14 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden… Three things worthy of notice — I. AN IMPULSE MANIFESTLY GENEROUS, WRONGLY DIRECTED. Peter was prompted, not by greed, ambition, or revenge, but by sympathy with his Master; a generous desire to protect Him. But this impulse, good in itself, was improperly directed; and how much good feeling is so still. 1. There is parental affection. How generally is this employed to the advancement of a child's temporal good, rather than to his spiritual; to pamper his appetite rather than to discipline his heart; to make him independent of labour, rather than to train Him to habits of honest industry. 2. There is religious sympathy. How often is this directed not to making our own characters so great and childlike as to be witnesses for God wherever we go, but to formulate and promote theological dogmas, and to establish and nourish littlesects. 3. There is the philanthropic sentiment. This, instead of being directed in endeavours first to improve the moral heart of humanity, and then working from the heart to the whole outward life, and from the individual to the race, is directed to the creation and support of costly machinery for lopping off branches from the upas, supplying salves to the ulcers, and whitening the sepulchres of depravity. No, man can be improved only by first improving his heart; the fountain must be cleansed before the streams can be pure. II. A VIOLENCE ENTIRELY DEFENSIVE DIVINELY CONDEMNED. Did Peter expect his Master to say "Well done?" If so, he was disappointed; for Christ had only strong words of disapproval (cf. Matthew 26:52). The words in Matthew may be taken as a prediction or as the law of humanity. If taken in the former sense, history supplies abundant fulfilment. Nations that have practised war have ultimately been ruined by war. If in the latter sense, we find instincts in the soul which lead to the revolt. Anger begets anger; love begets love; and "with what measure ye mete," &c. How could Christ approve of Peter's deed? It was contrary to the old law, "Thou shalt not kill; and to the new, that we should return good for evil. III. A RESIGNATION ABSOLUTELY FREE, SUBLIMELY DISPLAYED. "The cup," &c. The sufferings of the good — 1. Are a "cup," not an ocean. Happiness is an immeasurable sea, while misery is an exhaustible and exhausting quantity. 2. Are a gift from the Father, and not a curse from the devil. "What Son is He whom the Father chasteneth not." 3. Are to be accepted with filial resignation. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. |
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