The Second Garden

They came to the garden with lanterns, torches, and weapons and Jesus didn’t hide. We pick up in John 18 as Jesus crosses the Kidron and steps into Gethsemane, a place whose meaning “oil press” frames the night as pressure, grief, and surrender rather than a quiet retreat. Pastor Carl draws out John’s poetic layers, linking this “second garden” to the Garden of Eden and showing why Jesus is called the second Adam, the one who comes to reverse the curse and bring new life.

From there the scene turns intense: Judas arrives with what may be hundreds of troops, expecting an uprising. Instead, Jesus moves toward them and asks, “Whom are you seeking?” When he answers with the divine name “I Am,” they draw back and fall, a startling flash of authority in the middle of betrayal. We talk through why Jesus still appeals to his enemies’ hearts, inviting repentance even as “the power of darkness” closes in.

Then Peter swings a sword, and Jesus does the unexpected: he stops the violence, insists on drinking the cup the Father has given him, and heals Malchus’s ear. The takeaway is both comforting and challenging: Christ remains faithful when we are not, and real strength looks like obedient love. 

If you’ve felt your spiritual fervor fading, this message calls you back to worship, repentance, and trust. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review with the line that stayed with you most.

Come On Up is the radio ministry of The Mountain Cross in Waynesville North Carolina. To learn more about us please visit: TheMountainCross.com. 

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:05

Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, and we shall walk in his paths.

SPEAKER_00 0:13

Welcome to Come On Up, the radio ministry of the Mountain Cross in Waynesville, North Carolina.

SPEAKER_02 0:20

It's the Lord's heart that all would come to repentance and a knowledge of him, right? So even here, he's appealing to his enemies that are coming. Are you really doing what's wise in this moment? Do you realize who I am? Did you see when I spoke the holy name of God that you fell backward? Did you not see me just heal this man? I'm doing these things maybe just for you.

SPEAKER_00 0:49

If you would only repent and turn to me. Even though we've sinned, even though we've maybe turned from God, he is still faithful and he still loves us. The Bible says, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Meaning that while you were defiantly sinning against Christ, he still died for your sins. How amazing is that? In today's message, Pastor Carl will remind you that you are loved no matter what you've done. The Bible also says that he does miracles for us. So seek God, repent, and you will see miracles in your life. And now, here's Pastor Carl.

SPEAKER_02 1:34

We are ready to get back to our study in the book of John. So if you would turn with me to John chapter 18. And it starts out like this when Jesus had spoken these words, which words? Well, if you remember, um they had just gotten done with the uh the Last Supper, and Jesus was sharing with them the last minute things that he had on his heart, and mostly pointing them toward the Father, talking to his disciples about his father. And then he took a time out loud and spoke to his father about his disciples. His disciples that were with him then, and his disciples that would come in the future. Us. He was praying for us in front of his disciples so that they would know that he and his father are one and that he cares for them, and his father cares for them, and uh that this is the will that he would go and he would lay down his life, so that he would bring us forgiveness of sin and newness of life in him. So when Jesus had spoken these words, he went with his disciples over the brook Hidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. And they took a trip across the Kidron Valley to the Garden of Gethsemane, where they spent some time in prayer. Well, where Jesus spent some time in prayer, and the rest of them took a nap, right? If you remember some of the other biblical accounts. But it's interesting here in John, he doesn't say the Kidron Valley, he says the book Kidron. And when he talks about the Garden of Gethsemane, he just calls it a garden. And I think in a lot of ways, John's writing is is rather prophetic and uh or poetic. Uh if you remember at the beginning of his gospel, he says, in the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God. Uh an allusion to the beginning of the Bible. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. And in the beginning, there was a garden where God put a man, and that man was in fellowship with God and was beautiful, it was paradise. And now John has given us an illusion that there's another garden that the second Adam is going to, and this garden is a little bit different than the first garden. And yeah, you kind of have to read into this a little bit, but it really fits the narrative. Listen to this. The brook Kidron. Kidron means a winter torrent or a cedar tree, a winter torrent. This is the end of Jesus' life on earth, toward the end of his life. This is the winter of his life. And he's going across this valley, which is not a valley with a quiet little rustling creek, but it was a torrent, a flood, which we've experienced floodwaters in our areas. These floodwaters are not resting, they're not restful. These floodwaters are bring devastation, and it's a storm. And Jesus is entering this storm at the end of his life because he's about to put himself on a tree, on a cross, to be sacrificed for us so that we would have new life. And of course, in other gospels, we know that the name of the garden is Gethsemane, which means oil press. Jesus is going to be pressed beyond understanding. He took our sorrows, he took our griefs, he took our pain. And a lot of that happened in the garden where he related to our griefs and he took them upon himself. And he was sweating like blood drops and drops of blood coming from him. This was not a vacation. This was a very the most difficult part of his life here on earth was beginning in the garden, and they were heading there. This was interesting. Chuck Mistler put a comparison between the first garden, the Garden of Eden, and the last garden, the Garden of Gethsemane. And here are some of the comparisons he made. Eden was a delightful place. Gethsemane was terrible. Eden was a paradise. Gethsemane had rushing waters. Adam argued with Satan, and Jesus appealed to the Father. Adam brought the curse. Jesus broke the curse. Adam fell, and the Redeemer conquered. Eden's story was in the day. Gethsemane was at night in the darkness, evil surrounding it. Adam hid, but Jesus showed himself openly. He didn't try to hide himself. He was there for everybody to see if they wanted to come and see him. Adam was driven out of the Garden of Eden, and Jesus was willingly led out of the garden. Interesting comparisons, right? Keep these things in mind as we go through, because Jesus has come to set what the first Adam did around, to fix it, to make it right. Jesus is the second Adam. Through him comes life, through the first Adam came death. And all these things are coming together as he goes into the garden to pray. And what are the things that he prayed? Well, a couple of things that he prayed, and he prayed this phrase, similar phrase, twice in Matthew. Oh my Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass for me, nonetheless, not as I will, but as you will. You see Jesus' humanity here. What was ahead of him was nothing that any of us would desire to do. It wasn't his desire to be tortured, but it was his desire to save his people, to save his greatest creation, mankind. And that's why he came to become one of us, to be that perfect Lamb of God that would be sacrificed to take away the sin of the world. So he was wrestling within himself without sin. It's interesting, isn't it? No sin in him, yet he had these emotions. Oh my Father, if this cup cannot pass away from me, unless I drink it, your will be done. Father, you know the perfect plan. You have sent me here to fulfill it. I've been in agreement from before creation about this plan. And yet here I am. And if there's any other way, that would be great. Otherwise, still, your will be done. And he was praying earnestly and asked his disciples to pray along with them. But what were they doing? They were sleeping. He said, Could you just give me an hour to pray with me? And yet they were so exhausted. And yet the Lord was still gracious, that yet the Lord still went to the cross, yet the Lord still shed his blood not only to forgive our sins, but the sins of his disciples that weren't there when he needed them. And that's the point, isn't it? We are not there when God needs us. We in our own strength cannot be who God needs us to be. And that's why he became one of us. So that he could work in and through us and make us the people that he needs us to be. And then yet another step outside of that, he doesn't even need us. He's fulfilled in himself, in the Trinity. There is no need for us. And yet, in his great love, he created us and he desires to have relationship with us. It overwhelms my mind when I think about these aspects of all this. So we are in the garden, and he has spent some time praying, and the time has come for the betrayal. And Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. They had gone there oftentimes to pray and to get away. Yet I would probably venture a guess that this time was not like the other times that they were in the garden. This was a whole different ball game. Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, a detachment, another word for that, is a band of troops, and we're not talking about the band on the run. We're not talking about just a salvation army band. It's not that. It's a detachment of troops, a bunch of troops. We're talking about as many as 600 troops and officials that came in this entourage. Officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees came with lanterns, torches, and weapons. They were ready to take on an insurrection. They believed that there was an army that was gathering at the Garden of Gethsemane that Judas was going to lead them to, and they were going to put this insurrection down. At least it seems like that. Why would you bring an army like this? And Jesus will say something similar as we go. Jesus, therefore, knowing all things that would come upon him, went forward and said to them, Whom are you seeking? So Jesus, you know, this is part of the plan. I know this is supposed to happen, so he's not trying to run away or hide, but he's walking right up to them and saying, Who are you looking for? And they answered him, saying, Jesus of Nazareth. And Jesus said to them, I am He. And in the Greek, that He is not there. It's italicized, it's been added to add uh clarification. But he's actually saying, I am. And what does that remind you of? That's the holy name of God. Who are you looking for, Jesus? I am. And Judas, who betrayed him, also stood with them. He wasn't standing with him. And when he said this to them, I am he, they drew back and fell to the ground. It's the power of the name of the Lord. He spoke and they fell over. Just imagine that. I mean, if if this truly is hundreds of troops, and he said, I am, and they all fell over. Wow, what a scene that is. I've heard in uh other explanations too that um they drew back and fell to the ground, was getting ready for battle. They backed up and they pulled out their weapons and they're ready to go. Could be. Seems more accurate that uh when Jesus spoke the holy name of God, it had power behind it, and uh they fell backwards. And then he asked them again, this is great. Whom are you seeking? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. And Jesus answered, I told you that I am he. Therefore, if you seek me, let these go their own way. Jesus wasn't concerned about his own well-being. He was concerned about his disciples. Look, you got nothing against these guys. The problem you have is with me. Let these guys go, and you've got me, okay? Let them go, that the saying might be fulfilled, which he spoke of these whom you gave me, I have not lost one. That saying was part of his prayer to the Father about the disciples, that he would not lose any of them, that he would not lose them physically to death in an attack like this before their time, and spiritually, that they wouldn't fall away and abandon him and reject him forever. And he's giving them an opportunity to go and to be safe physically, and to have an opportunity to go and pray and consider all the things that the Lord has told them that would happen that are now happening. Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant to cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus, which means king or kingdom. Interesting. So Peter is attacking the kingdom, the evil kingdom, the kingdom that uh we that Jesus has come to defeat and to set up his own kingdom. Jesus is trying to say, hey, these guys are not going to bother you, go let them go. And instead, Peter comes and draws his sword and starts a problem here. He cuts off the ear of who? The servant of the high priest, nonetheless. You know, this is an important fella. And uh so Jesus said to Peter, put your sword in your sheath. Shall I not drink this cup which my father has given me? Which hearkens back to the prayer he was praying in the garden, was it? Can I can I pass by this cup? Can we just pass this cup to somebody else? And but no, not my will, thine be done. And now he speaks with boldness to Peter. Peter, don't you know I'm supposed to drink this cup? It's not time to be attacking people with your sword. Put your sword away. And in another account in the book of Luke, chapter 22, um, he looks at it this way one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, Permit even this. So you can imagine the situation. He's saying, All right, peace, we're not coming as an army. You could let these people go. You you're really coming after me. You can you have me, everything will be all right. We're not going to attack you. And then Peter comes and attacks, and he Jesus says, Oh, oi ve, probably. And uh, sit down, Peter, and and and and telling the rest, stop, stop, stop, let me do this thing first here. This looks like we're attacking you, we're not attacking you. Let me prove to you we're not attacking you. Let me do this thing. And he touched the ear and healed him. All right, this guy's okay now. We're not attacking, we're not coming in evil, we're we're coming for good. Uh, you might be coming for evil, but that's another story. Let my people go, and and you got me. And then um Jesus said to the chief priests, the captains of the temple, and the elders that had come to him, have you come out against a robber with swords and clubs when I was with you daily in the temple? And you didn't try to seize me then, but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. Even then he's declaring the truth, but he's doing it graceful graciously. He's saying, Listen, um, why why are you bringing all these armies? What's with all these people? What's with the weapons? Like, there are plenty of times you could have gotten me. Why are you waiting till now in this manner? And he's not saying it to defend himself, he's saying it because he wants them to think about it. It's the Lord's heart that all would come to repentance and a knowledge of him, right? So even here, he's appealing to his enemies that are coming. Are you really doing what's wise in this moment? Do you realize who I am? Did you see when I spoke the holy name of God that you felt backward? Did you not see me just heal this man? I'm doing these things maybe just for you. If you would only repent and turn to me, you hear his heart even in the midst of this. But this is your hour. The power of darkness. You're not walking in light. Priests, religious leaders, you know this isn't right. This isn't biblical. I wish that you would know that I am who I said I am. But you're so stuck in your religion and your power. The darkness has got a hold on you. Back to our study in John. Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him and led him away to Annas first, for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. And we're going to go a little deeper into this, but uh you have a high priest who wasn't the high priest anymore, but his son-in-law, Caiaphas was the high priest that year, and that man was the man who said that uh it'd be better that one man be sacrificed for the goodness of the whole nation. Better that one man would die to save the nation. And he was speaking prophetically, but his heart was not there. His heart was very practical. If we want to avoid uh problems with Rome, if we want to avoid problems with the people, we need to snuff out this man because this man is heading up this whole insurrection that we need to put down for the good of the people. And yet the Lord's heart was the one man who would die would be beneficial for all mankind, anyone who would believe. Because that man has not been put down by the Romans, not been put down by the Jews, but he willingly laid down his life to be the sacrifice for all mankind. So they came from the Garden of Kethsemane and they brought him all the way over to the house of Annas, which I will explain a little bit about who he is and what the history is. After that, they go to the place of uh uh Caiaphas. After that, they will take to Herod's palace or the Praetorium, which is where Pilate lived. I'm trying to remember all these details. And it's interesting because Herod's palace was built by Herod the Great, and after Herod the Great was out uh died and the power was changed, uh, who would live in this would be the leaders of the area, the governors of the area. And yet at this time at the Hasmonean palace, all right, Hasmonean was one of Herod the Great's, I believe this is what the story was, one of the Herod the Great's wife was from Hasmonia. She had another name, but he killed her because he didn't like her, but he built a palace in her name. Okay? The history of the Herods is just unbelievable. But anyway, at that time, the Herod, who was the Herod at that time, happened to be in town, and that's where he would stay. So Pilate had sent him to Herod, had sent Jesus to Herod, and Herod says, I don't know, send him back to Pilate. And uh one of the other gospels says that Herod and Pilate didn't get along until Jesus came along, and they both had problems with Jesus, and they became fast friends as a result of that. So after Herod says, I don't know what to do with them, send him back to Pilate, and then Pilate sends him off to be crucified on the cross. And in our account of John, the the part with Herod is skipped over. Um, he just takes it when he goes to Pilate and then finishes up with Pilate and goes to the cross. Now, let me tell you a little bit about Annas. Annas was not a Levitical Jew. I forget what background he has, but the point is I think even before him, the Rome, the Caesar was beginning. To appoint high priests for Israel. And he was appointed a little bit after Jesus was born in 6 A.D. So Anis was appointed by Caesar Augustus, and he was the high priest while Quirinius was the governor of the area. Anybody that name? He was the same governor that was there at the time of the census that was taken when Jesus was born that brought Mary and Joseph down to Bethlehem. You following that? So then now Annas, he was appointed a little bit after that, and he reigned from 6 to 15. And then after that, a lot of his sons came along and uh were put into that. It's kind of in 15, the the Caesar at that time took him out of that role, but he still had amassed so much power and reputation that uh he was kind of still in charge of the whole high priestly office. And so he was kind of in charge, but the the high priests that were appointed after him were basically under him. So he was the high high priest, and the high priests were under him, which included, you know, his sons. And his second son, which was actually his son-in-law, Caiaphas, is the one that we're talking about at this time. So you had Eleazar, Caiaphas, Jonathan, Theophilus, Matthias, and another Annas that was uh named after him, and then a couple of others that came along. But there's another interesting name in there, too. Anybody catch that? Theophilus. Theophilus is one of his sons that was later a high priest. The person that wrote this website makes the case that that is the Theophilus that Luke was writing to in his gospel and in the book of Acts, to convince him that Jesus is indeed the Son of God.

SPEAKER_00 24:07

You've been listening to Pastor Carl on Come On Up. We're in the book of John. John had been a simple fisherman before meeting Jesus. He was actually a disciple of John the Baptist before realizing that John the Baptist was just paving the way for Jesus to enter the scene. There were so many examples for John to observe, where Jesus made something out of nothing. He fed the 5,000, he brought about a boatload of fish when there had been no bites all night. These miraculous happenings were all around them, and John couldn't help but be enamored by Jesus Christ. What about you? Has the newness of knowing or following Jesus worn off? Are you apathetic about what God's doing in your life or how he's working and how he's trying to speak to you? Keep that spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. John lived a full life devoted to the Lord, and even though he was persecuted and tortured, he never swayed from telling people about the hope and faith he had in Jesus. After all, he had lived with Jesus for three and a half years and had learned much about the heart of God. A way for you to keep learning about the heart of God is by joining us on Sunday mornings at Smokey Mountain Cinema in Waynesville for Bible study. We also have a faith film night the first Monday of every month. We offer quality Christian entertainment that challenges your faith and spurs good conversation. Learn more at themountaincross.com or search for Faith Film Night on Facebook. That's all for today. Come on Up is sponsored by The Mountain Cross, a Calvary Chapel fellowship.