Judas the betrayer had guided soldiers and temple officials to capture Jesus. However He was not going to run away; He was ready to be taken. The cross was an essential part of His mission, and Satan’s worst schemes would only bring Him greater glory. The passage shows that Jesus was fully in command of the situation. He was not taken by surprise at all. However Jesus’ evil captors were not prepared to meet the holiness of God in the darkness. They were afraid to grasp Him and fell backwards.
 
Even though Judas was present and clearly visible to the faithful disciples, Jesus identified Himself a second time and agreed to be taken as their victim. Even so, He was in control of the night. He offered Himself to be killed but protected His disciples. It was a little parable of what would happen on the cross a few hours later, when He was punished for the sins of the world. He took the blame for guilt that was not His own, in order to save sinners who believed in Him.
 
In God’s eyes, evil always looks foolish. It has no ultimate power and makes empty boasts which it can never fulfil. Jesus always saw through evil threats, lies and temptations. Those who are in Christ should learn to do the same because Jesus always looks after His own. He died instead of them so that they might live to serve the Lord. He does not abandon them to evil but delivers them from the Evil One (Matthew 6:13). So do not be afraid! If God is for you, who can be against you!? (Romans 8:31).