Any Christian with even a passing knowledge of Jesus’ suffering and death is well aware of the “big things” that our Savior endured as our holy Substitute.  And make no mistake about it, the big things are indeed big! 

However, there are many “little things” that occurred along the way – lesser known and lesser noted things – that carry great significance as well.  For these weeks of the Lenten season, we’ll take note of some of those lesser things that carry large significance.

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This little sidenote isn’t even a full sentence.  It’s more of a parenthetical statement – a descriptive aside – inserted into a sentence.  They are just a few words, but they’re packed with significance.

The mob had arrived in the Garden to arrest Jesus, presumably by sheer numbers and brute force, if necessary.  Jesus calmly approached them to ask who they are looking for.  And that’s where the Holy Spirit inspires John to add the brief explanation: “Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him …” (John 18:4).

Of course, Jesus already knew the crowd’s sinister purpose, so the aside seems perfectly natural ahead of Jesus’ question-for-which-he-already-knew-the-answer.  But it’s not just that Jesus knew who their target was; the Holy Spirit is emphasizing a much larger and more significant truth. 

Jesus knew ALL that was going to happen to him!

By this point, the Scriptures already make it clear that Jesus is fully aware of the ugly circumstances swirling around him.  Jesus knew exactly who had betrayed him (Jn. 13:11) and he provided Peter with the very specific warning that he would deny Jesus three times before the rooster crows (Lk. 22:34).  Furthermore, Jesus knew he was about to be condemned with transgressors – that is, crucified (Lk. 22:37). 

But those words – “knowing all that was going to happen to him” – carry so much more weight than Jesus simply being aware of the course, facts and timeline of events that were about to unfold.  They bear the knowledge of the intimate and personal details of every second of suffering heading his way!

Not just the ridicule that would be rained upon him and the spittle that would settle on his face.  Not just the hatred and humiliation he would endure.  Not just the exhaustion of being dragged unsympathetically to multiple overnight “hearings.”  Not just the sorrow of seeing so many who loved him devastated by what he was experiencing.

But Jesus knew exactly what horrific physical agony was about to be unleashed on his body.

Every bit of beard yanked from his face.

Every slap and every punch.

Every thorn that would pierce his head, and every strike from the staff that beat the thorns deeper into his flesh and skull.

Every lash from the scourge that tore open the flesh on his back.

Every ounce of agony as the nails were driven through his body to secure him to the cross.

Every excruciating instance he would have to push his flayed back up on the wooden cross to gain another breath.

Every moment of separation from his Heavenly Father.  (That is, every moment of hell he would have to experience as the proper punishment for the sins of the world.)

Jesus knew it all.  He knew it all before any of it happened. 

He even knew exactly who would wound him, exactly when and exactly where.  And yet he never flinched and he never shifted to lessen his suffering; he knew exactly what was coming and he willingly endured every bit of the agony. 

He endured it all because it was necessary to win redemption for you and me.

This is incomprehensible to us.  Only God himself could accomplish this!  And only a thoroughly loving God, driven by mercy for doomed sinners, would actually go through with it!

But let us never assume that Jesus was unaffected by all that he knew awaited him in his atoning work.  Luke disabuses anyone tempted to make such an assumption as he shares insights into Jesus’ passionate prayer in the Garden.

[Jesus prayed,] ‘“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.’ An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.  And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”  (Luke 22:42-44).

Point number one: Jesus pleaded with his Father to find another way to save sinners and spare him the upcoming agony that he knew awaited him.

Point number two: Jesus as true Man was overwhelmed by what Jesus as true God knew was about to happen to him.  His emotional state was such that the Father actually sent an angel to strengthen and encourage him.

Point number three: Jesus’ anguish and dread affected him not only emotionally, but physically as well; he began to perspire profusely and blood actually seeped into his sweat.  (This is a rare phenomenon called hematidrosis … hemorrhaging of the sweat glands …  that may occur in highly emotional states.)

Jesus knew.  He knew it all.  Every horrific detail he would have to endure.  Every bit of agony his body was about to experience. 

But he also knew that there was no other way for sinners to be saved.  He knew that only he, the Lamb of God, could offer the holy sacrifice on the altar of the cross to make full atonement.  He knew he had to go through with it. 

So he resolutely set his mind, lifted his face, straightened his back, and marched into the mayhem and murder that awaited him.  He knew the horrors ahead, but he also knew that in the end the victory would be won.  Consequently, “for the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame” (Hebrews 12:2). 

Jesus knew the excruciating pain before him.  Yet he persevered, because he also knew he loved us and he knew he wanted us to be with him forever in heaven. 

We know he knew.  God grant that we never forget it, and that we never stop treasuring it!