“Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, ‘Whom do you seek?’”(John 18:4 ESV).
This moment in John 18 is stunning in its clarity and courage. Jesus is not caught off guard. He knows exactly what is about to unfold—the betrayal, the arrest, the denial, the trials, the mocking, the scourging, and ultimately the cross. Yet, instead of shrinking back or hiding, Jesus steps forward to meet those who came to seize Him. He takes the initiative. He does not flinch or flee. He boldly asks, “Whom do you seek?”
His courage flows from His complete understanding of the Father’s plan. This is no accident or tragedy. It is the fulfillment of all that He came to accomplish. He is the Good Shepherd, laying down His life for the sheep. Jesus is not a victim in the shadows but the willing Savior stepping into the light. This moment of bravery in the garden reminds us that our salvation is rooted in His deliberate obedience.
The book of Hebrews calls us to consider Christ’s determined courage, so that we don’t “grow weary and lose heart” (Heb. 12:3). We can focus our eyes on Jesus who courageously stepped forward to save us. It is this Jesus who died to save us. And it is this Jesus who was raised and lives within us.
We may not fully realize all that lies ahead when the Lord calls us to follow Him, but we can look to Jesus. His courage gives us strength. His example inspires us to trust God’s plan even when it means walking into difficulty. There are moments when we are tempted to shrink back from obedience—when it would be easier to hide than to step forward. But because Jesus stepped forward to face the cross, we can step forward in faith to follow Him.
Like Isaiah, we can answer God’s call with willing hearts, even if we do not know all that it will require. Jesus has gone before us. He is our Savior, our strength, and our guide. Let us fix our eyes on Him and press forward in obedience.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Jesus. He is our strength and our Savior. We praise You for His courage, His obedience, and His love. Help us to keep our eyes on Him when we feel afraid or uncertain. Give us boldness to step forward in faith, knowing that Jesus is with us and in us. We love You, and we want to follow wherever You lead. In Jesus’ name, amen.