CCC 609

By embracing in his human heart the Father's love for men, Jesus "loved them to the end", for "greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."⁴²⁵ Jn 13:1; 15:13. In suffering and death his humanity became the free and perfect instrument of his divine love which desires the salvation of men.⁴²⁶ Cf. Heb 2:10, 17-18; 4:15; 5:7-9. Indeed, out of love for his Father and for men, whom the Father wants to save, Jesus freely accepted his Passion and death: "No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord."⁴²⁷ Jn 10:18. Hence the sovereign freedom of God's Son as he went out to his death.⁴²⁸ Cf. Jn 18:4-6; Mt 26:53. At the Last Supper Jesus anticipated the free offering of his life