Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.
Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.
“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
John 18:3–6
It’s really amazing to think that Jesus, the King of all Kings, would just so willingly surrender to the unjust arrest by the Roman authorities in conjunction with the Jewish leaders. Why would he so easily give himself up?
Simply, yet profoundly, Jesus was fulfilling his purpose. His purpose was to sacrifice himself for his people and bring salvation to those who cannot save themselves. A righteous one died in the stead of the unrighteous.(1 Peter 3:18).
Is that not just amazing? William W. How wrote these words in his 1883 hymn It Is A Thing Most Wonderful:
It is a thing most wonderful,
Almost too wonderful to be,
That God’s own Son should come from Heav’n,
And die to save a child like me.
Here is a stirring rendition of How’s hymn. As you listen, ponder the incredible sacrifice of Jesus.
