A number of years ago, I heard a sermon entitled “I Am Not, But I Know I Am.”

That’s a good way to think about life. God is at the center and we are not. We do not live for ourselves, but for God alone. And this Sunday, we are going to see a passage of Scripture that maintains that same perspective.

Or better, by God’s grace, it is a place in John 18 that may grant us that perspective.

Indeed, to deny ourselves and put Christ at the center of our lives, is not something we can do for ourselves. It takes God, his Word, and his Spirit to give us life from above. And this life from above is what gives us a longing to see Christ first and most.

Indeed, when the question is asked: Who are you? Or, in our day, What are your pronouns? We would do well to respond, I am NOT, but I know I AM.

On Sunday, we will see Jesus identifying himself as the I AM. And by listening carefully to his words, and watching the scene unfold in his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, we will learn much about who he is and who we are too.

To prepare for Sunday, take time to read John 18:1–14. And if you have time, read all of John 18–19. Take note of the way this whole scene begins and ends in a garden. Indeed, Jesus's death on the cross is the beginning of a new creation. And starting tomorrow and going until Easter Sunday, we will see how new creation dawns.

As the Lord allows, I look forward to seeing you on the Lord’s Day.

For His Glory and your joy,

Pastor David

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Discussion & Response Questions for John 18:1-14Read John 18:1-14.

How would you describe Jesus from this text?

What repetition do you see? What does this reveal is central to this text? How does the chiastic structure of the text help that central point stand out?

Consider the “I am” statements in John. How does this text speak of Jesus? How do they respond when Jesus speaks in verse 6? How should this shape our understanding of this event and what follows?

Consider the initiative and authority of Jesus’ words in this passage. When you think of Jesus’ arrest, do you usually think of his majesty and authority, or do you think of him more as a victim? How does John present him? Who is in charge?

What is the cup that Jesus will drink? How does Scripture speak of this cup? (Cp. Matt 20:22; 26:39-42; Isa 51:22)

In Genesis 3, God seeks Adam and Eve in the garden. Here in John 18, Jesus is sought in the garden. How would you compare/contrast these events?

Did you see any temple or sacrifice imagery in John 18? What might we notice?

From this passage, what do we learn about Judas and Peter? And how do their responses inform our own response to Christ?

As we behold Christ in this passage, how ought we to respond to this text?