For Kids · 4 min with a grown-up
The hard night begins. Jesus is arrested in a garden — but even now He stays calm and in control, because He is choosing this out of love.
Today's Story
After praying, Jesus went with His friends to a garden. Soldiers came in the dark with torches and weapons to arrest Him. But Jesus wasn't afraid. He stepped forward calmly and asked, “Who are you looking for?”
“Jesus,” they said. “I am He,” Jesus answered — and at His words, the soldiers fell back to the ground! Jesus had all power; they could never have taken Him unless He let them. But He chose to let them, out of love for us.
Jesus even protected His friends. “Let these others go,” He said. And when Peter tried to fight, Jesus told him to put his sword away. “This is the way it has to be,” Jesus said. He went willingly.
Sadly, that night Peter got scared, and three times he said he didn't even know Jesus. (Peter felt terrible later — but Jesus would forgive him.)
Jesus was taken to Pilate, the Roman governor. “Are You a king?” Pilate asked. “My kingdom is not from this world,” Jesus said. “I came to bring the truth.” Pilate could find nothing wrong with Jesus — because Jesus had done nothing wrong.
Through it all, Jesus stayed calm, brave, and loving — because He knew He was doing this on purpose, to save us.
A Big Word
Memory Verse
Talk About It
- The soldiers fell back at Jesus' words — He had all power, but He chose to be taken. Why do you think Jesus let them arrest Him?
- Peter got scared and said he didn't know Jesus. Have you ever been afraid to stand up for Jesus? (Remember, Jesus forgives us, just like He forgave Peter.)
- Jesus told Pilate, “My kingdom is not from this world.” What kind of King do you think Jesus is?