“KIDRON”

1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered.

John 18:1

Holy Week is only a few weeks away. And what better way to observe it than giving ourselves a greater understanding of the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection? First among these momentous events is the arrest of our Savior.

With that in mind, I’d like to pose a few questions:

• Why did Jesus allow Judas to betray Him?
• What caused Judas to betray Jesus?
• Why did the Romans call our Lord “Jesus of Nazareth?"
• Why did Peter cut the High Priest’s servant’s ear?
• What did Jesus prove during His arrest?

After taking a few months of break from our series on the Book of John, we’re finally going back to it. This marks a new section in the book of John as Jesus enters His “passion and death.” Let’s keep in mind that though the next several hours will be extremely difficult for Jesus, this was His path to glory. His suffering further revealed His glory because as Jesus was getting closer to the Cross, He was also getting closer to defeating the enemy and going back to His glory.

Over the next two chapters, Jesus’ life will be marked by pain, suffering, and death. But as He goes through unimaginable pain and humiliation, we will see His confidence in the Father’s love and will. Jesus is getting closer to the revelation that God is love, demonstrated by His sacrificial death on the Cross.

All four Gospels record Jesus’ passion in chronological order, but John’s account is distinct from the other three as it offers key elements to the whole narrative. And over the next several weeks, we will find out why.

After delivering His final message to the disciples, Jesus goes out to the Kidron Valley, to a spot with a garden named Gethsemane (“oil press”) where an olive grove is located. He and all His disciples (including Judas) are well aware of this place because they often stayed there while they were in Jerusalem (Luke 21:37).

To get to the garden, they have to leave by the gate, go down the steep valley, and cross a brook called Kidron (Greek “kedron,” “turbid, muddy”).

Tomorrow, we will get to know this place a little bit more.

Pursue the Savior today!