The "Arrestable" Jesus

At the time of writing this reflection, the Sri Lankan Society is debating the arrest of people on various charges. Some seek legal intervention to avoid being arrested. Others flee the country and go into hiding. Those with high connections have got away without arrest. I was moved to reflect on how Jesus faced his arrest in the garden of Gethsemane, which I believe will be thought-provoking for us.

The arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane is recorded in all four Gospels of the New Testament. However, John (the writer of the 4th Gospel) presents the arrest of Jesus from a different perspective (John 18:1–11). He does not mention Judas' betrayal kiss. Instead, he records that "…. Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. They arrived at the garden carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons." The opposing forces had come together with Judas for the nighttime arrest of Jesus, the Messiah. They were heavily armed with night-fighting equipment, including lanterns, torches, and weapons.

The first move toward arrest comes directly from Jesus, not Judas the betrayer. In John 18:4, John presents Jesus as "knowing all that was coming upon Him, stepped forward and asked them, ‘Whom are you seeking?’". What a bold step! He did not run into hiding. He did not send someone else to meet the arresting officers for any negotiations. When the arresting troop answered, "Jesus of Nazareth," Jesus said, "I am He." Although the heavily armed arresting officers seemed to have the upper hand, they were the ones who fell to the ground when Jesus said, "I am he.". This happened not only once but twice: Again, he asked them, "Who is it you want?". "Jesus of Nazareth," they said. Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he".

From where did Jesus draw such boldness in presenting himself for arrest? He prophesied in Luke 18:31f., "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written of the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked, shamefully treated, and spit upon; they will scourge him and kill him." Jesus was not under any illusions of a quick and heroic death. He was ready to take the full blow. This is why "he set his face to go to Jerusalem; he set his face to die."

According to St. John’s account, the way Jesus presented himself for the arrest shows that he acted with authority for the sake of others, not for himself. He used divine authority at the right time and in the right way. He did not use it to abscond from his arrest. Though Jesus had done no wrong as the sinless one, he willingly went through the arrest as it was within the plan of God for man's salvation.  While Matthew and Mark record that the disciples fled at the arrest of Jesus, Luke is silent. However, John brings out the deepest love and care Jesus had for his disciples as follows: "If you are looking for me, then let these men go." Oh! What a loving and caring leader Jesus was! While his life was in danger, he did not drag with him his disciples to the same danger. Neither did he simply go away leaving them unattended. Having secured the release and safety of his disciples, he allowed his foes to bind him and take him away for a trial and execution. Jesus used his God-given authority to lay down his life for others. Jesus, the saviour of the world, was truly "arrestable"!

O Jesus, shepherd, guardian, friend,
My Prophet, Priest, and King,
my Lord, my life, my way, my end,
Accept the praise I bring.

Rev. Asiri P. Perera

May 29, 2023

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