John 18:2
Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples.
One final introductory note setting the stage not just for this scene but for the whole of the passion narrative: What happens next is no accident.
Notice that Jesus goes to a place he knows, a place his disciples know, a place Judas knows. We might go further and say that Jesus goes to a place he knows Judas knows. That is, if Jesus were looking to hide or had hoped to escape this fate, he would not have crossed the Kidron Valley to stay in this garden that he knew Judas also knew.
But he does. He goes there knowing full well what may happen.
There are, I believe, two kinds of courage: the kind that reacts suddenly and bravely to a situation of danger and distress, and the kind that sees danger looming long off and does not change course. Jesus, in this scene, exhibits this second kind of courage. He sees the cross ahead of him and does not swerve, though the opportunities to do so were countless.
Which means, among other things, that all that is to happen in the coming hours is no tragic accident, but rather an intentional act of courage and love.
Prayer: Dear God, just as Jesus refused to turn away from his destiny and instead embraced the challenges ahead in courage and love for our sake, let us see those around us in need and bear their challenges also in courage and love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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