Text: John 18:1-3
What Judas Brought to the Garden
- Roman cohort — the military of the world empire of the day; would later be overthrown (Daniel 2:44)
- Officers from the chief priests — those who should have been the spiritual leaders of the people; but they were not helping them (Matthew 9:35-36)
- Some of the Pharisees — supposedly the sect that followed God’s laws most strictly; yet they added to God’s law and neglected His instructions (Matthew 15:7-9; 23:23)
- Lanterns and torches — necessary because they came at night; darkness provides a cover for evil (John 3:19-20)
- Weapons — instruments used to capture a dangerous criminal (Luke 22:52)
What Jesus Brought to the World
- Divine kingdom — spiritual in nature (John 18:36), would endure forever (Matthew 16:18-19)
- Better priesthood — sinless, sacrificed His own life, continues to hold His priesthood (Hebrews 7:24-27)
- Law of liberty — free from sin (Romans 6:22) and from following the commands of men (Colossians 2:16)
- Light of the world — if we follow Him we walk in light (John 8:12)
- Sword of the Spirit — not carnal weapons, but divinely powerful (2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:17)
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