Self-Sacrifice: Jesus has won our hearts through His self-sacrifice (Gal. 2:20). Jesus intentionally gave Himself up for us.[1] He knew full well all that was coming upon Him, yet He neither flinched nor fled. He pressed ahead into His own arrest, trial, and crucifixion. Satan schemed, Judas betrayed, but it was the Lord Jesus who delivered Himself up for us.[2] He established the place of arrest, went there, and delayed long enough for the soldiers and officers to arrive (John 18:1-3). He went out to meet them instead of running away (John 18:4). He identified Himself to ensure He was apprehended, not His disciples (John 18:5, 7). As the Good Shepherd, He guarded His disciples and ensured their escape (John 18:8; cf. also 1 Cor. 10:13). When Peter raised the sword, Jesus called off the resistance (John 18:10-11). He gave Himself up for us.
Savior: Jesus withstood every temptation for self-preservation and He did exactly what He came for: to give His life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). He submitted His human will to the Father’s and drank the cup of wrath[3] which the Father had given Him (John 18:11). Christ died for our sins just as He predicted[4] and in accordance to Scripture (1 Cor. 15:4). Adam sinned at Eden,[5] seeking self-interest; Jesus triumphed at Gethsemane, seeking our salvation.[i] He is worthy of our trust. We follow the Lamb wherever He goes (Rev. 14:4).
[1] Jesus laid down His life for His own
sheep (John 10:11, “His sheep” [Geneva]; better translation of the Greek
article per John 10:12-14), for those whom the Father gave Him (John 17:9), for
His own bride (Eph. 5:25).
[2] In addition to Gal. 2:20, the language
of self-deliverance occurs also in Rom. 4:25; Eph. 5:2, 25; 1 Tim 2:6.
[3] Cf. Ps. 75:8; Is. 51:17, 22; Jere.
25:15; 49:12; Lam. 4:21; Ezek. 23:31-33; Zech. 12:2; Rev. 14:10; 16:19.
[4] Cf. Matt. 16:21-23; 17:22-23; 20:17-19;
Mark 8:31-33; 9:30-32; 10:32-34; Luke 9: 21-22, 43-45; 18:31-34; John 2:19-22; 10:11,
15, 17-18.
[5] Eden and Gethsemane were both gardens, leading to
some very interesting juxtaposition between the two. Cf. Arthur W. Pink’s quote
at the end of this document.
[i] “The entrance of Christ into the Garden at once reminds
us of Eden. The contrasts between them are indeed most striking. In Eden, all was
delightful; in Gethsemane, all was terrible. In Eden, Adam and Eve parleyed with
Satan; in Gethsemane, the last Adam sought the face of His Father. In Eden, Adam
sinned; in Gethsemane, the Savior suffered. In Eden, Adam fell; in Gethsemane, the
Redeemer conquered. The conflict in Eden took place by day; the conflict in Gethsemane
was waged at night. In the one, Adam fell before Satan; in the other, the soldiers
fell before Christ. In Eden the race was lost; in Gethsemane Christ announced, 'Of
them whom thou gavest me have I lost none' (John 18:9).
In Eden, Adam took the fruit from Eve's hand; in Gethsemane, Christ received the
cup from His Father's hand. In Eden, Adam hid himself; in Gethsemane, Christ boldly
showed Himself. In Eden, God sought Adam; in Gethsemane, the last Adam sought God!
From Eden Adam was 'driven'; from Gethsemane Christ was 'led.' In Eden the 'sword'
was drawn (Gen. 3:24); in Gethsemane the 'sword' was sheathed (John 18:11).” (Arthur
W. Pink quotation from James M. Boice, The Gospel According to John [Grand
Rapids: Baker Books, 2005], 5:1366).