Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place (Gethsemane), because Jesus often met there with his disciples. John 18:2 (from John 18:1-19:42)

Now: A particular word

‘Now’: used, especially in conversation, to draw attention to a particular statement or point in a narrative.

‘Now’ suggests we’re at the point of some significance or turning point, something of note is about to kick off. The clouds are gathering, things are coming to a head, what is described as the pivotal point in history is entering its final stages. A back door has opened up: Judas knows where Jesus will be and how he may be apprehended.

The divine will is a deep abyss of which the present moment is the entrance. If you plunge into this abyss you will find it infinitely more vast than your desires. Jean Pierre de Caussade

The opportunity Judas identified, to satisfy his desires and ends, is part of a larger narrative. There’s something else, something deeper going on, possibly echoes here of Joseph’s observation about being handed into slavery by his brothers: ‘You tried to harm me, but God made it turn out for the best, so that he could save all these people.’ (Genesis 50:8, NASB).

Jesus knew the time approached, was now, and gave himself to the divine will, seeing it as vast and worthy of trust.

Threshold meditation

With a ‘now’ ( a particular moment) in mind go to the threshold meditation.