John 18:3–6 (WEL) So Judas, having taken a group of soldiers and temple police from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4 Then Jesus, knowing everything that would happen to him, came up to them and said, “Who are you looking for?” 5 They answered him and said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I AM.” Judas, who betrayed him, also stood with them. 6 Then, when he said to them, “I AM,” they went backward and fell to the ground.
V3 So Judas, having taken a group of soldiers and temple police from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
These are Roman government soldiers. The Temple police are priests associated with the protection of the Temple.
The authorizing senders are the chief priests and Pharisees.
They are equipped for an arrest and possible resistance.
This is the setting in the Garden of Gethsemane for arresting Jesus.
V4 Then Jesus, knowing everything that would happen to him, came up to them and said, “Who are you looking for?”
Note, this is no surprise to Jesus, for He knew what was coming. In boldness, He walks up to them. He did not run or hide. He knew His mission and did not shirk His responsibility to that mission.
The Lord Jesus lived this verse, Hebrews 10:38 (WEL) “Now the just will live by faith, but if he turns back, my soul will not be pleased with him.” He believed His Father (God the Father), He obeyed His Father, He did not shun His responsibility, and the consequence of faith and obedience is that God the Father is pleased with Him. The same principle is for us. Let us be faithful.
Principle: Jesus knew His Father’s will and obeyed it even when in danger; so should we.
V5 They answered him and said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I AM.” Judas, who betrayed him, also stood with them.
Jesus told the truth.
Principle: Tell the truth even if it hurts.
Jesus uses the formal name of God as given in Exodus 3:14
(Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary) “God is the author of life and salvation. His ‘I am’ expresses the fact that He is the infinite and original personal God who is behind everything and to whom everything must finally be traced. ‘I am who I am’ signals the truth that nothing else defines who God is but God Himself. What He says and does is who He is. The inspired Scriptures are the infallible guide to understanding who God is by what He says about Himself and what He does. Yahweh is the all-powerful and sovereign God who alone defines Himself and establishes truth for His creatures and works for their salvation.”
V6 Then, when he said to them, “I AM,” they went backward and fell to the ground.
Such authority even in His name.
One would think they would all repent at this miracle, but they didn’t care, were not moved to repentance and faith.
(Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary) “It was the glorious effulgence of the majesty of Christ which overpowered them. ‘This, occurring before His surrender, would show His power over His enemies, and so the freedom with which He gave Himself up’ [MEYER].”
Note the power of His word. The authority is overwhelming. Jesus with the same word could have killed them. Compare 2 Thessalonians 2:8, Isaiah 11:4, and Revelation 19:21.
We learn:
- Jesus is fulfilling His commission.
- Jesus tells the truth.
- Jesus reveals His authority and power.
- People are very weak and cannot stand in God’s presence without His okaying it.
Questions:
- Are you fulfilling your Christian responsibilities?
- How are you doing in telling the truth?
- Do you depend on God’s strength for daily living?