John 18:1-6 NIV
[1]”When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it. [2] Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. [3] So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. [4] Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” [5] “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I AM HE ,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) [6] When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.”
Once again, only John recorded this extraordinary detail. Perhaps only John, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, understood the significance of of the mob’s reaction to Jesus’ words, “I am He!”
Picture the scene. In the pre-dawn darkness, a crowd of men descend on Jesus carrying burning torches and brandishing swords and clubs. Who were these people? The gospel records convey the idea that no one knew for certain who they were.
Matthew…
Matthew 26:47 NIV
[47] “While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people.”
Mark…
Mark 14:43 NIV
[43] “Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.”
Luke 22:47 NIV
[47] “While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him…”
Only John identifies them, Romans and Jews, soldiers and religious leaders. Obviously, the soldiers would do the arresting but they were not familiar with Jesus. Someone would need to identify Him in the dark. Who better than Judas, who knew Jesus and the most obvious place to find Him… Gethsemane! The Jews would call the shots since they were the initiators in this plot.
Jesus’ response is also highly unusual but in keeping with His nature. Who was in charge in this entire saga? Not the Jewish leaders! Not the Roman overlords! Of course, Jesus was in charge!
This was Jesus’ stance throughout His public ministry and His arrest, trial and death. Enemies and friends alike had heard Him predict,
John 10:17-18 NIV
[17] “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. [18] No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
How would His prediction play out in these dangerous circumstances? Based on His foreknowledge, “The hour has come,” He stepped forward to hand Himself over but something stopped the soldiers from grabbing Him….His identity. I AM.
“I AM” was the name by which He introduced Himself to Moses at the burning bush in the desert. Yahweh!No wonder the soldiers were knocked to the ground when He uttered His name!
Exodus 3:4-6 NIV
[4] When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” [5] “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” [6] Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God….
[13] Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” [14] God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”
Only once before had Jesus purposely identified Himself to His enemies as Yahweh, I AM.
John 8:54 NIV
[54] “Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.
[56] Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” [57] “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!” [58] “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I AM !” [59] At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.”
To His disciples, Jesus, the I AM, was everything they needed, bread, shepherd, the way, the truth, and the life, etc., but to His enemies, He was Yahweh, the Elohim who had power and authority.
So, it was impossible to arrest Him, let alone accuse Him, try Him, and crucify Him without His permission. He had to hold His power in check for them to subdue Him, and voluntarily submit to their cruelty and injustice, to be crucified as a convicted criminal.
His behaviour throughout His trial was also mystifying without the utterance of His name. How could He remain silent under the weight of all the false accusations against Him if He were not Yahweh, veiled in human flesh?
So, what is the evidence saying?
John 18:7-8 NIV
[7] Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said. [8] Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.”…
[12] Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him [13] and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.”
John 18:11 NIV
[11]” Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”
Matthew 26:59-64 NIV
[59] “The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. [60] But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward [61] and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’ ” [62] Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” [63] But Jesus remained silent.
John 19:7-11 NIV
[7] The Jewish leaders insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.” [8] When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid,
[9] and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. [10] “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” [11] Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”
The unified witness of the gospel writers is that Jesus only responded to one question, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of God?”
Matthew 26:63b-64 NIV
“The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” [64] “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Paul’s conclusion accurately sums up Jesus, the I AM.
Philippians 2:6-11 NLT
[6] “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. [7] Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, [8] he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. [9] Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Peter adds,
1 Peter 2:23-24 NIV
[23]”When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. [24] “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”
No one but the Son of God, the great I AM of holy Scripture, Yahweh, could live and die perfectly, to be the Saviour of all people, everywhere, for all time. We can make this sublime Saviour our own by faith in Him.