The Power
John 18:1-11
18:1 After Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” 5 They answered, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus replied, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they stepped back and fell to the ground. 7 Again he asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these men go.” 9 This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken, “I did not lose a single one of those whom you gave me.” 10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus. 11 Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?”
The arrest of Jesus according to John’s gospel is quite different from the other gospel accounts. Jesus is being arrested, and yet he is the one in control of this situation. Judas has brought a detachment of soldiers - some scholars say a detachment would have been 600 soldiers - which seems a bit excessive for the arrest of one man. In addition to this, they came with lanterns and torches and weapons. Judas does not identify Jesus with a kiss as is depicted in other accounts; rather, Jesus, “knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked, 'Whom are you looking for?'” Jesus steps toward his accusers. They say they are looking for Jesus of Nazareth - to which Jesus answers, “I am he.” (In Greek, the answer is “I am” - and I hope that sounds familiar since I’ve covered it in previous references. The “I am” statements reveal Jesus to be divine with the name of God - as God had been self-revealed to Moses on the mountain.) Also, please note what happens when Jesus says, “I am.” Those who came looking for Jesus in order to arrest him stepped back and fell to the ground - a common response to encountering the divine. Jesus is prepared to be arrested, and urges that his disciples be let go, but Simon Peter is ready to come to Jesus’ defense and draws his sword. Jesus also has an answer for that - “Put your sword away - am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?’’ Again, Jesus is in control of this situation; there is no prayer (Jesus prayed for all of ch. 17) of anguish - “if it is your will, Father, let this cup pass from me.” No, Jesus accepts this cup freely and obediently. He is being arrested; he knows what awaits; yet as the Messiah, he confidently steps toward what awaits him.
These verses reveal the power that Jesus has in the face of those who come to arrest him. They are many, armed with weapons for a night conquest, and yet they fall to the ground at the name “I am.” There is indeed something different about Jesus, which is what the gospel writer John has been trying to reveal all along. John’s intent has not changed even as the story progresses to what the world would see as the end of Jesus and his power. We know the end of this story; we know it will get worse before it gets better; but as John tries to tell us, every step of the story is told so that we might come to know who Jesus is and believe in his holy name; and finally, by believing, we may also have eternal life. There’s more to come - but even as Jesus is arrested, John continues to reveal who Jesus is so that there is no doubt in our believing.
Let us pray: Good and gracious God, we give you thanks and praise for your blessed Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who gave his life so that we might believe. Assure us of your love and grace, so that we may be empowered to proclaim your glory with all that we say and do, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.