Jesus Is Taken from the Garden

While Jesus was still in the garden, Judas arrived with a crowd carrying weapons. Judas had been one of the twelve disciples.

Step by step, they came closer through the garden.

He came near Jesus and greeted him with a kiss. That was the sign he had arranged so the crowd could identify whom to arrest.

Jesus knew what Judas was doing. He did not run away or answer betrayal with hatred.

One disciple drew a sword and injured a servant. Jesus stopped the violence. This was not the way he wanted his friends to fight for him.

He reminded them that he had taught openly in the temple. They could have found him there, yet they had come in the darkness with weapons.

Jesus allowed them to take him. His friends became afraid and fled.

The crowd moved away from the olive trees.

Being gentle did not mean that Jesus was weak. He was choosing to obey his Father and continue his mission of love.

When someone treats us unfairly, we can ask for help and seek safety. We do not have to hurt someone else to prove that we are brave.

Jesus showed courage without cruelty, even when his own friends failed him.