Eyes Wide Open: 40-Day Lenten Devotional Sample

He Wants to Be Found

“When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it. 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?’” - John 18:1-4

The moon was full that night. Passover always happens when the moon is brightest. Still, on this night, the men were expecting a search; so, they brought torches and lanterns. They were also expecting resistance, so they kept their weapons handy. 

But Jesus was not hiding. The night of Jesus’ betrayal, he went to a familiar place—a garden where he had often gone with his disciples. Even though Jesus knew what Judas was going to do, he chose to go to a place where Judas would likely search.

When the band of armed men arrived, Jesus stepped forward and initiated the interaction. Only moments before, Jesus was in agony as he contemplated the cup of suffering he faced. Yet when the moment came, he didn’t resist. Far from being captured, Jesus went willingly. He knew what was going to happen, and he stepped forward to meet it.

Our broken and hurting world needs to know that Jesus is willing to save. He is not hiding. He wants to be found. If he was willing to step forward that moonlit night into betrayal, rejection, derision, whipping, crucifixion, and death, then he is willing to enter into whatever we are facing today. And when his followers reach out to others with his good news, we are emulating our Savior’s loving example.

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for stepping forward that night to save us. Open my eyes to the ways you continue to lovingly initiate in my life. Teach me to willingly enter into the lives of others, even when it is difficult, so that they, too, may find you. Amen.

- Written by Christina Walker