"I AM"

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

“IAM”

John 18:1-6

18:1 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.

NIV

We know where this garden is, having walked around it ourselves. It stands on Jerusalem's side of what is referred to as the Mount of Olives. It is an easy walk from the town of Bethany, the hometown of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, where Jesus and his disciples visited on several occasions. Surely this is why they also stopped by this olive grove, also known as the Garden of Gethsemane. As we stood at the Mount of Olives we could clearly see the city of Jerusalem, the temple mount, and this Kidron valley which was merely a drip in the terrain. But it was enough of a valley, that as one walked through it to get to Jerusalem, one who has to go up to Jerusalem, a phrase which is often used, which does not denote a southern or northern approach, but simply coming up out of the valley up to Jerusalem which stands on Mount Moriah, the very same place Abraham took his son as directed by God to offer as a sacrifice, which we know God provided a ram instead. So we see Jesus and his disciples sitting in the garden talking and praying for Jesus knew this would be the last time he would have this personal time with them as well as he knew Judas would know he would be there, and that he must be found in order to accomplish that which he came to do. As they sat in the olive grove, they would have been able to see the assembly of soldiers carrying torches coming down out of Jerusalem, crossing the Kidron Valley and coming up the slope of the Mount of Olives directly into the Garden of Gethsemane. It was not a surprise when they arrived, Jesus was waiting for them. He would have had more than enough time to make a getaway. This thought, this idea, might serve enough for us to ponder on. When we have been called to a task, do we try to make a getaway or do we stand our ground? However, what we want to get to is this time when the troop of soldiers led by Judas did arrive and Jesus made the first contact by asking them who it was they were seeking, or wanting? When they responded that they were looking for Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus made it clear he was the “I AM”. This caused all of them, Judas and all the soldiers to fall back. We can just see the whole group falling backward to the ground, lying prostrate at the feet of Jesus. Who can stand up to the “I AM”?  This gives us a great picture of the power of Jesus. Just by his pronouncing his name, “I AM”, all must fall to the ground. Of course they did not fall to worship, but out of fear, although they were many, and Jesus was one, he is the “I AM”, and just by the power of his voice, they were overpowered. We know as we will get to, he asked again and allowed them to arrest him. But for now, we know that he was in charge, and he made sure they knew. This should also give us both great comfort and concern. First, to know Jesus is the “I AM” of our life, he is in charge, he has full control of our situation in this life and our life eternal. This should also give us some concern as we try to take control of our life. All too often we want what we want and we want it when and how we want it. That is we focus too much on our wants, we may live too much of a self-orientated life, rather than a Jesus focused life.