Willingly Offered

“When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.” John 18:1-6 

If Jesus had chosen to avoid the cross, He certainly could have. When He answered the men who came to arrest Him by saying, “I am he,” they fell to the ground. If Jesus had the power to knock these men to the ground with His words, He certainly could have escaped from them. But Christ patiently waited for the men to get back up and allowed them to take Him away. Jesus did not come to this earth to live for Himself. He had told His disciples that He had come here to die, and now He was following through with His plan. Paul said in Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me,” (Galatians 2:20). If Jesus died willingly for us, we should certainly be willing to live for Him.