(REFLECTIONS ON John 18:1-27)

As Jesus moved to the garden where He had often met with His disciples, Judas was also on the move, betraying Him, gathering the Roman cohort, and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons.

4 So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, when forth and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. 6 So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.”

Judas was betraying Jesus, but Jesus knew all the things that were coming upon Him, and when He said to them “I am He,” which is the same “I am” as Jesus uses through the Gospel of John referring to His identity, those that came didn’t draw near and grab Jesus, but Scripture says, “they drew back and fell to the ground.”

There was no power in Judas betraying Jesus, but the power was in Jesus’ words and a revelation of His identity, “I am.” That Judas and those that came in power and might to capture Jesus, drew back and fell to the ground, shows the power of Jesus’ identity and the paradoxical power that will be displayed on the cross.

What is interesting is later on, we see Peter appear and being questioned whether he was one of Jesus followers. When Jesus said, “I am He,” His identity was revealed, but when Peter responded “I am not,” it revealed that Peter was also betraying Jesus through his denial.

I am “not” reflects our denial of Jesus, our betraying, not just past betrayal, but being in the midst of betrayal in our lives. Jesus is the Christ, the Savior, the Son of God, and through Him we have eternal life, but many times we respond to what Jesus did with an attitude or movement of I am “not” and in doing so, like Peter, are betraying Jesus rather than following after Him as our Lord, and Savior.

Jesus said “I am He,” so may our response to the world when questioned be, “I am His,” rather than Peter’s response I am “not.” And move from betraying Jesus to following Him as the Good Shepherd.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: John 18