It was probably sometime after midnight that Judas + a huge crowd of armed men entered the garden with swords + clubs to arrest Jesus.
The group that arrived was overkill. It included Judas, a group of leading priests, the captains + members of the temple guard, elders from the Jewish religious system—probably members of the Jewish Sanhedrin (Luke 22:52), a group Matthew + Mark both describe as a “crowd” (Matthew 26:47; Mark 14:43) + a detachment of Roman soldiers (John 18:3,12).
The detachment of Roman soldiers is interesting. It represents a group of at least 200 men + possibly a group numbering as many as 600. The fact that they carried weapons like swords + clubs could be an indication that they expected a full-scale confrontation with Jesus’ followers.
The agony Jesus had already experienced in the garden had so altered His appearance that when the arresting party arrived, Jesus wasn’t easily recognizable. In fact, when the group approached, Jesus asked them, “Who are you looking for?” (John 18:4). It’s evident that the blood + sweat had so altered His appearance that He was already unrecognizable to most of the people in the party.
The party answered, “Jesus, the Nazarene.” The next words are stunning:
“I AM he,” Jesus said . . . 6 As Jesus said “I AM he,” they all drew back + fell to the ground! —John 18:5-6 NIV
The phrase, “I am he” is powerful. Jesus used this expression three times during this exchange. It’s the Greek expression, “Ego eimi.” It’s the same expression He used back in John 8:58 when a group of religious people squared off against Him + said, “You’re not even fifty years old. How can you say you’ve seen Abraham?” (John 8:57)
Jesus stared straight back at this group + with authority said, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM” (John 8:58). The Gospel of John contains seven “I am” statements spoken by Jesus:
- “I am the bread of life.” (John 6:35, 41, 48, 51)
- “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12)
- “I am the gate for the sheep.” (John 10:7, 9)
- “I am the resurrection + the life.” (John 11:25)
- “I am the good shepherd.” (John 10:11,14)
- “I am the way, the truth + the life.” (John 14:6)
- “I am the true vine.” (John 15:1,5)
These are the same words God spoke to Moses from the burning bush in Exodus (Exodus 3:14). This is a name for God considered so holy + revered that devout Jews won’t even speak it. It’s called “the unspeakable name of God.”
What’s stunning is that when Jesus spoke these words in the Garden of Gethsemane, the power of His word was so forceful that it literally knocked a group of leading priests, members of the temple police, a mob of people + a detachment of professional Roman soldiers to the ground! They literally couldn’t remain on their feet when Jesus said the same words to them that God had said to Moses, “I am”.
This points to something Paul would later write:
“…at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven + on the earth + under the earth, 11+ every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” —Philippians 2:10-11 NLT
When a group of more than 200 professionally trained men involuntarily go prostrate on the ground at the power of Jesus’ spoken word, it’s reminding us that the events that are about to go down over the course of the next 12-18 hours, didn’t go down because Jesus was impotent, weak, or powerless. They went down because Jesus wanted them to go down. They went down because Jesus is omnipotent, all-powerful + in total control.
What happened next must have been one of the most emotionally painful moments Jesus experienced:
The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss.” 49 So Judas came straight to Jesus. “Greetings, Rabbi!” he exclaimed + gave him the kiss. 50 Jesus said, “My friend, go ahead + do what you have come for.” Then the others grabbed Jesus + arrested him. —Matthew 26:48-50 NLT
A kiss was the customary sign of love, respect, honor, trust + devotion a disciple gave his teacher or rabbi. But this evening, it was a sign to the temple guard + detachment of soldiers that this was the man they needed to arrest. On this night, a kiss became the symbol of ultimate betrayal.
Today’s Verse: “I am he,” Jesus said. —John 18:5b NIV
Today’s Prompt: Have you ever felt betrayed by a friend?
Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that everything bows to the name of Jesus.
Today’s Prayer: Father, when I feel weak or betrayed, remind me of the power You have to speak to anything + everything in my life. I can rely on You because You are the great “I AM’. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
