John 18 - I AM!

John 18 - NIV

Enduring Word Commentary

Verses for the Day

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. 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.

Commentary

Throughout the book of John, I have been referring to the importance of Jesus' "I am" statements. I.e. "I am the bread of life", "I am the resurrection and the life", "I am the living water", "I am the bread of life", "I am the good shepherd", "I am the way, the truth, and the life." 

All of these taken together show that Jesus is not shy in declaring his divinity. None of these statements could possibly be made by a sane person unless they were true. So either Jesus is insane, delusional, or deceptive to make these comments if they are not true. But if they are true, he was and is the Son of God.  

The words "I am" in the Greek are "eigo emi", which is the equivalent of the Hebrew word, "Yahweh". Any Jewish person, and probably some Gentiles as well, who heard this would no without a shadow of a doubt that Jesus was claiming to be divine. 

Today, Jesus is being arrested by the Jewish guards and some of the priests led by none other than Judas, the betrayer. We can see that Jesus is control of this whole situation. Nothing is happening without him allowing it. Even when Peter, later in the chapter, cuts off the ear of the high priest's servant Malchus, Jesus tells him to put away his sword. 

Jesus uses the phrase "I am he" (translators add "he") three times in the verses above. Indeed, when Jesus is arrested by the Jewish leaders and brought to trial with Pontius Pilate, this is the charge they bring up.  In fact law to claim to be God, was blashphemy, and punishable by death. 

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.” John 19:7

We see further evidence of his divinity, as when says this to the soldiers, they drew back and fall to the ground. In the presence of God, they were overwhelmed. In the bible people fall to the ground when angels appear, how much more when some of the glory of God is revealed in Jesus. See also Peter, James, and John's reaction on the Mount of Transfiguration when they see Jesus' glory! (Matthew 17, Mark 9 and Luke 9)

Quotes from Commentators

“The soldiers had come out secretly to arrest a fleeing peasant. In the gloom they find themselves confronted by a commanding figure, who so far from running away comes out to meet them and speaks to them in the very language of deity.” (Morris)

 “Here our Saviour let out a little beam of the majesty of his Deity, and 500 men fell before him.” (Trapp)

Application:

1. We talk about about Jesus' humanity, but do you think we talk enough about Jesus' divinity? 

2. As you reflect on the fact that Jesus was truly man and truly God, how does this change how you view Jesus?

3. As you think about meeting Jesus face to face, you will see him fully in all of his glory! How can you live your life now to prepare for that moment. 

Remember, when Jesus returns will will see him in "Great and Promised Glory!"

Prayer

Jesus we know when we get to heaven, we will see you in all of your glory. Help us to live our lives now to prepare ourselves to meet you face to face. Amen. 



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