John 18: The lion goes forward
When finished praying, the Lord Jesus goes with the disciples to the other side of the garden, passing the brook of Kidron, to a place where they would meet. He knew that was where Judas would most likely look for Him and take the soldiers to arrest Him. He wanted to face the situation head on. He wouldn’t run away, and that’s what happened.
Jesus knew the soldiers were drawing near, so He went out to meet them as brave as a lion at night. In this way, He would protect His disciples: “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way.” (v.8) Oh my God! Even then the Lord Jesus was more worried about His disciples than himself! Notice His care, protection and leadership!
Knowing Jesus like this, you still think He’ll ditch you in the time of danger?
Another thing: did you notice the soldier’s reaction when He said “I am He?” They fell back. Why? What many people don’t know is that this “I am He” is the same expression used by God the Father in answering Moses’ question on Mount Sinai, more than a thousand years earlier, in regards to His name: “I am who I am.” (Exodus 3:14)
At that point, God didn’t reveal His name, He simply gave them that expression. But now we know that the name of God is Jesus, because He Himself confirmed this in the chapter before when He would pray to the Father: “ While I was with them, I kept them in thy name which thou hast given me.” (John 17:12 ASV) No doubts are left in regards to the divinity of Jesus.
Because this name has so much power, when the Lord said “I am He,” the whole regiment of roman soldiers and Jewish guards, perhaps more than 100 armed men, fell back in fear.
The great “I am” is there with you right now. Your enemies and problems should fear, not you.
Before the immensity of the name which has such power, let’s be more reverent in using it. Many people use the name of Jesus for anything and everything. Such a powerful weapon shouldn’t be used unless it’s really necessary.
Having given Himself up to the soldiers, though He could have called a legion of angels to His rescue, Jesus was taken to the High Priest, who led the way to His imprisonment. Only Peter and John followed at a distance.
Peter, who was usually as impetuous as thunder, now found himself taken by fear. He denies knowing Jesus three times. Notice how confessing your faith is easy when everything is going well. The evidence of a true Christian is when their faith costs them a high price. Jesus was in the midst of the enemy’s fire, while Peter was outside near the fire, trying to keep warm from the cold, alongside the guards who had arrested Jesus. This scene is a bit hard to swallow.
Lastly, Jesus teaches a lesson in thinking for yourself, when He answered Pilates: “Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?” (v.34) In other words, stop being a puppet controlled by other people’s hands and think for yourself. Inform yourself instead of just believing everything you hear.
This is a lesson we need to learn as well.
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