John 18:1-5: a reflection

1When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples over the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, into which he and his disciples entered. 2Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3Judas then, having taken a detachment of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were happening to him, went out and said to them, “Who are you looking for?” 5They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with them.

When the armed detachment led by Judas comes to arrest Jesus in the garden, notice what Jesus does. He does not hide, flee, or wait to be seized; knowing all that was about to happen to him, he goes out to meet them, and asks, Whom are you looking for? When they say, Jesus of Nazareth, he answers, I am he. He steps forward willingly into his arrest, taking the initiative, offering himself to those who came to take him.

Notice that Jesus is not a helpless victim overtaken by events. John is careful to say he knew all that was coming, and rather than being seized against his will, he went out to meet his captors and gave himself up. Throughout his passion, Jesus is not swept along by forces beyond his control; he lays down his life freely, as he had said he would, no one takes it from him, but he lays it down of his own accord.

That changes how we see the cross. Jesus did not stumble into suffering, cornered and helpless; he walked into it willingly, with open eyes, out of love. The arrest, the trial, the cross, all of it he embraced freely for our sake, stepping forward to meet what he could have escaped. When you consider what Christ suffered, remember that he chose it, going out to meet it for love of you. He was not a victim of circumstance but a willing Savior who laid down his life. Let the freeness of his self-giving deepen your love for the one who chose the cross for you.

Lord Jesus, when the soldiers came to arrest you, you did not hide or flee, but knowing all that was coming, went out to meet them and gave yourself up. Thank you that you were not a helpless victim swept along by events, but a willing Savior who laid down his life freely, for love of me. Help me never to forget that you chose the cross, stepping forward to meet what you could have escaped, out of love. Let the freeness of your self-giving deepen my love for you. You laid down your life of your own accord; teach me to live in gratitude to the one who chose it all for me.