June 5 God Betrayed

John 18:1-6 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, 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 grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and 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.
 
JOHN 18 relates Jesus’ arrest and trials before Jewish authorities and Pontius Pilate. To help us understand John’s view of these events, it is good to know John does not offer the same details as the other gospels. Some of these differences are easy to explain. Some are less clear because we do not have all the information. Still, we can be assured of Scripture’s truth to know all gospels agree that 1) Jesus was arrested at night in Gethsemane. 2) Judas led the arresting party. 3) Jesus was tried before the Jewish councils and Pilate. 4) Peter denied knowing Jesus. 5) Jesus was condemned and crucified. 6) Jesus died and was buried in a tomb. 7) Jesus rose from the dead. 8) Jesus ascended to heaven.
   This may seem obvious to most of us; yet, we must be aware the world and certain “scholars” will try to sidetrack our faith with, “The gospels tell the story differently.” In truth, these differences help us understand more and affirm the story is not a lie the disciples and early church developed to support their claim.
   One of the differences in Jesus’ arrest is in verse 6: When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. What’s happening here? We can understand why John records this detail when we understand its meaning. What seems to us as Jesus simply identifying himself to the arresting guard, he is again declaring his divine status. Remember how John records several “I am” statements of Jesus: “I am the Good shepherd … the Living Water … the Gate … the Resurrection and the Life, etc. He does the same here. With “I am he.” Jesus is declaring he is the divine “I AM”, the eternal God. He had said this to the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:25-26 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am he.”
   With, “I am he.” Jesus declared he is God in the flesh, come to save the Jews and mankind from our sins. Then his divine power is displayed as the arresting party drew back and fell to the ground. This is the response in the Scriptures of all who confront the holy God. When the holy God reveals himself, we can only fall to the ground in worship or in fear.
   Note, too, the arresting party is acting under Jesus’ permission and authority. He knows they are coming. He goes to meet them. He has been teaching his disciples and praying for them. Now I AM is prepared to be arrested and confront death, so you will be free to live forever.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, that you submitted yourself to arrest, so I would be free of sin’s bonds. Amen.