They came with swords and clubs to arrest Jesus because they expected him to fight back, they couldn't imagine that Jesus would not resist, that he would willingly face their 'justice'. Jesus' non-violent self-sacrifice has inspired many through the years, like the Civil Rights protestors who were brutalized on Bloody Sunday, March 7th, 1965. But his example has been ignored by many others, both Christians and those claiming to be. From the Inquisition to Crusader armies, Christians have often 'fought fire with fire', choosing power (and/or wealth) in this world over service and sacrifice for the next. A recent example illustrates the point: On December 19th 2021, Donald Trump Jr. declared at a conference that turning the other cheek has "gotten us nothing" and thus must be abandoned. Following Jesus doesn't help us 'win' so we can't do it. Christians know better, imitating Jesus isn't designed to help us 'win' in this world, it is the path of righteousness, the method by which we glorify the Gospel's declaration of victory over sin and death through self-sacrifice. The calling of the Church is clear: imitate Jesus.
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