torches and weapons. Jesus knew all that was going to happen to him; he stepped forward and asked, “Who are you looking for?” They answered, “Jesus
the Nazarene.” Jesus said, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, stood there with them. When Jesus said, “I am he,” they moved
backwards and fell to the ground. He then asked a second time, “Who are you looking for?” and they answered, “Jesus the
Nazarene.” Jesus replied, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, let these others go.” So what Jesus had said came true: “I have
not lost one of those you gave me.” (...) There was a garden in the place where Jesus had been crucified, and, in the
garden, a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And therefore, because the sepulchre was nearby, and the Jewish day
of preparation was coming to a close, they placed the body of Jesus there.

Reflection:

The Passion and death of the Lord according to John packs a lot of details
that are good for spiritual meditation. But what is striking is the preparations
Jesus made before that. First, He ate supper with His disciples. It was supposed to
be a solemn occasion that recalls the liberation of Israel from bondage. They heard
the scriptures that recounted the mighty deeds of God and eat the Passover meal. For
Jesus it was a bittersweet occasion. Sweet because He spends it with His own, those
who are closest to Him. Bitter because He is anticipating the sacrifice He will make in order
to be food that gives life to the world. Secondly, He spent the rest of the night in prayer.
The prayer must have been intense because He perspired blood in the process. Two
moments of preparation, the meal and prayer. The former is communion with His disciples
and friends, the latter is communion with God. These two preparations enable him
to face the succeeding events with calm courage.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2021