ヨハネによる福音書18:1-11   John 18:1-11,

After the Last Supper, Jesus told the disciples a number of very important teachings. These included the teachings about “I am the true vine” and about the Holy Spirit who would be the disciples’ advocate. When he had finished, he went outside with the disciples to the valley beyond the Kidron, to the east of the city of Jerusalem. There was a mountain called the Mount of Olives where olive trees were planted. On its slopes was a place called Gethsemane, where the olives were squeezed to get oil. Jesus prayed there.

Today’s Bible does not mention that prayer, but elsewhere in the Bible we read that Jesus said to God the Father, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will (Mark 14:36).” “This cup” refers to Jesus’ death on the cross. It was Jesus’ mission to die on the cross under the judgement of God the Father on behalf of us human beings. Jesus knew this very well. However, when he realised that the time of his crucifixion was approaching, he could not help but pray to God the Father, “Remove this cup from me.” Not only that, Jesus prayed, “Yet not what I will, but what you will.” This means “If it is your will that I should be crucified, let it be done according to your will.” Jesus did not hide his anguish and appealed to God the Father. But then he prayed, “If it is your will for me to suffer the suffering of the cross, then I will obey your will.”

Thus, Jesus made his final preparations for the crucifixion. Then later, Judas Iscariot, who had betrayed Jesus, came with a group of people who wanted to arrest Jesus. Jesus had done nothing wrong, so he did not run and hide. He turned to those who wanted to arrest him and asked them, “Whom do you seek?” And when they replied, “Jesus of Nazareth,” Jesus dignifiedly said, “I am he.” They must have been overwhelmed by Jesus’ imposing appearance, because those who were trying to arrest him backed away and fell to the ground. Jesus asked again, “Whom do you seek?” The people who wanted to arrest him replied again, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus replied, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” By “these men” he meant Jesus’ disciples. In other words: “If you seek me, arrest me. But let my disciples go home without arresting.”

However, at this time there was one who drew his sword and resisted those who were trying to arrest Jesus. It was Peter, one of the most zealous of the disciples. Peter cut off the high priest’s servant’s right ear with his sword. But Jesus said, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?” Jesus commanded Peter not to resist any further. Having prayed in Gethsemane that “What you will be done,” Jesus was ready to be arrested and crucified. Thus, Jesus, who was sinless, went on his way to be crucified on behalf of us sinful human beings.