The hour was coming. And Jesus knew it. He spoke of the last days of His life upon earth, especially the crucifixion (John 12:27), as His hour (John 2:4, 7:30, 8:20, 13:1). The “hour” was a period of time beginning with His betrayal (Mark 14:41) and concluding with His ascension back into heaven where He was exalted to the Father’s right hand in glory (John 13:1).

When Jesus knew His hour had come, He gathered His disciples into an upper room to eat the Passover with them, and also prepare them for His departure (John 13:1-17:26). It was at this time that Jesus identified His betrayer, Judas Iscariot, and told him, “What you do, do quickly” (vs.27). Shortly after this, Jesus left with the remaining eleven disciples, and entered the garden of Gethsemane. Judas knew that’s where he could find Him (John 18:2)!

Unknowingly following the divine script, Judas led a detachment of Roman troops along with some of the Jewish authorities to the garden to search for Jesus and arrest Him. They had wanted to take Him before, but could not because His hour had not yet come (John 7:30, 8:20). This time Jesus willingly turned Himself over to them, but not before Peter drew his sword, and tried to prevent them from arresting Him (18:10). “So Jesus said to Peter, ‘Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?’” That cup was filled with God’s wrath intended for sinners like you and me, but on the cross Jesus paid the penalty for our sins! For this “hour” He came into the world (John 12:27)! What a Savior! Turn in faith to Him from your sins, and He will give you eternal life! “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).