Tag Archives: I am He

JOHN’S GOSPEL… “I AM HE” – 31

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John 18:4-5 NLT
[4] “Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them. “Who are you looking for?” he asked. [5] “Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied. “I Am he,” Jesus said. (Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.)”

Only John recorded this unusual interlude in the arrest of Jesus, the same John who presented Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus’ announcement “I am He!” had a surprising effect on the arresting mob.

John 18:6 NLT
[6] “As Jesus said “I Am he,” they all drew back and fell to the ground!”

They fell backwards as if a blast of wind had sent them flying! What happened? Jesus did much more than identify Himself as the one they had come to arrest. He declared, with authority, His name… Yahweh! That should have been enough to send them scurrying in the opposite direction.

How strange! A mob of soldiers, threatening, brandishing weapons, rough and unruly…arresting the Son of God! Why? How can this be?

The story unfolds as if copied and pasted from God’s history book written in eternity before time began, every detail a perfect match with the eternal story.

John 18:4, 8-9 NLT
[4] “Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them. “Who are you looking for?” he asked…
[8]  “I told you that I Am he,” Jesus said. “And since I am the one you want, let these others go.”
[9] He did this to fulfill his own statement: “I did not lose a single one of those you have given me.”

Let’s match the story…

The betrayal…

Psalms 41:9 NLT
[9] “Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me.”

The price…

Zechariah 11:12 NIV
[12] “I told them, “If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it.” So they paid me thirty pieces of silver.”

The arrest…

Zechariah 13:7 NLT
[7] “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, the man who is my partner,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “Strike down the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn against the lambs.”

The trial…

Isaiah 53:7-8a NIV
[7]” He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. [8] By oppression and judgment he was taken away…”

The sentence…

Isaiah 53:5 NIV
[5] “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

The suffering…

Psalms 22:14-15 NIV
[14] “I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me. [15] My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.”

The dying…

Isaiah 53:8-9 NIV
[8] “By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished.”

The burial…

Isaiah 53:9 NIV
[9] “He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.”

The resurrection…

Psalms 16:10 NIV
[10] “… You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.”

… all written in detail before the beginning of time.

The ancient hymn writer captures, in beautiful poetry, this awful event in history.

1. My song is love unknown–
my Savior’s love to me;
love to the loveless shown,
that they might lovely be.
Oh, who am I, that for my sake
my Lord should take frail flesh and die?

2. He came from His blest throne
salvation to bestow;
but men made strange, and none
the longed for Christ would know.
But oh, my Friend, my Friend indeed,
who at my need His life did spend!

3. Sometimes they strew His way,
and His sweet praises sing;
resounding all the day
hosannas to their King.
Then “Crucify!” is all their breath,
and for His death they thirst and cry.

4. Why, what hath my Lord done?
What makes this rage and spite?
He made the lame to run;
He gave the blind their sight.
Sweet injuries! Yet they at these
themselves displease,
and ‘gainst Him rise.

5. They rise, and needs will have
my dear Lord made away.
A murderer they save;
the Prince of Life they slay.
Yet cheerful He to suff’ring goes,
that He His foes from thence might free.

6. In life, no house, no home
my Lord on earth might have;
in death, no friendly tomb
but what a stranger gave.
What may I say? Heav’n was His home;
but mine the tomb wherein He lay.

7. Here might I stay and sing–
no story so divine!
Never was love, dear King,
never was grief like Thine.
This is my Friend, in whose sweet praise
I all my days could gladly spend.

Samuel Crossman (1674)
https://hymnary.org

Surely, then, for Jesus, the Son of God, to be arrested, tried, crucified, and buried, it could only have been that He chose to submit Himself to humans. There is no other way that God could have died in the place of sinners.

Philippians 2:6-8 NIV
[6] “Christ Jesus… who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; [7] rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. [8] And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”

So, when the soldiers took Him to trial, He went, like a lamb to the slaughter, unresisting, without a murmur. Surely, this alone should have alerted them to something so unusual that they would have stopped to ponder…

“I AM HE” – 25

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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.

WHO WAS IN CHARGE?

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WHO WAS IN CHARGE?

“Again He asked them, ‘Who do you want?’ ‘Jesus of Nazareth,’ they said. Jesus answered, ‘I told you that I am He. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.’ This happened so that the words He has spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”

Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus). Jesus commanded Peter, ‘Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?'” John 18: 7-11.

Who is in charge around here?

This is a very strange situation. A mob of soldiers and religious big shots, armed to the teeth, had come to arrest Jesus but they couldn’t. He was protected by the power of His name. The very words, “I AM!” struck terror into these men and they fell backwards to the ground when He spoke. Never had they had dealings with a prisoner like this!

He was fully aware of their purpose.. He had been anticipating their arrival and had actually gone to meet them. What criminal would ever deliberately put himself in the path of the authorities unless he knew he was guilty and wanted to hand himself over? Not only could the men who had come to arrest Him not lay a hand on Him, but they were also afraid of Him. There was something about Him they could not fathom.

Jesus, the felon, was actually in charge. He gave the orders; He called the shots and they obeyed Him. How crazy was that! ‘You can take me,’ He instructed them, ‘but leave these men alone.’ And even when they took Him and roughed Him up, He was still in charge. Everyone who had dealings with Him, soldiers, Sanhedrin, Herod, Pilate, Jewish mob, lost their cool while He remained calm and serene throughout the entire debacle.

Peter lost it too; Peter, the big, brave fisherman, pulled out his sword and lashed out wildly at the nearest guy — what a way to handle the crisis! Did he think he was going to pick them all off, one by one, while they waited in line to be taken out? Did he really think that Jesus would stand by and allow him to do that? No, Peter acted brainlessly and instinctively, so unlike his Master whose response was deliberate and carefully controlled.

Jesus’ response to Peter’s reaction was typically Jesus. Never for a moment did He lose focus. He had come for this reason and He was not about to allow Peter’s panic to side-track Him or cause Him to deviate from His purpose. Listen to His response! ‘Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?’ Iwonder what the soldiers and the rest of the mob made of that!

How did the military men react to Jesus? What did they think when He allowed them to arrest Him? How many of them would gladly have walked away rather than take a man prisoner who literally invited them to do so? I would not like to have been in their shoes. What went through their minds when they lay in bed that night?

John did not record the sequel to Peter’s cowardly act, not that it didn’t happen or that it was unimportant but that it was just not a part of his purpose. He probably did not want to deviate from what he intended to convey. He was presenting Jesus as the Son of God and, at this moment Jesus was behaving as perfectly obedient to His Father, a true Son of the Father, doing the Father’s will without question because He had chosen to submit and become the atoning sacrifice for the sin of the world.

Jesus was fully aware of the “cup” which His Father had given Him to drink and the baptism of suffering He was about to undergo and He faced it without flinching because the reward that lay beyond His suffering far outweighed the agony of the next few hours. However, His suffering was to be His alone. The time would come when His disciples would have their own cup to drink. But not now. For the moment they were only spectators.

His words of command protected them from any thoughtless action by the soldiers. They would, in the future, be guilty by association but, for now they would be unmolested and free to follow, watch and try to process what was happening to their Master until He returned from the grave to shake their lives to the core and to send them on their way as witnesses of all these events.

Who was in charge in those tension-filled moments? You decide!

Acknowledgement

Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.