John 18:4-6
Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
Their time in the Upper Room had to come to a close, and when Jesus led his disciples out of the city of Jerusalem, they crossed the Brook Kidron—the small stream that served as the drainage from the temple. “The very brook would remind him of his approaching sacrifice, for through it flowed the blood and refuse from the temple” (Spurgeon). I’m sure Jesus was aware of the ironic symbolism. The blood of animal sacrifices had been flowing into the stream for years—hundreds of thousands of lambs and other animals—but to no avail. An ultimate sacrifice was still needed.
“Jesus of Nazareth.”
It’s interesting that Jesus made them ask. Most likely he was making sure that their violence was directed solely at himself, but it is also a question for the ages: Whom do you seek? Jesus asked Judas and the soldiers some two thousand years ago…and he is asking all of us the same question today. Additionally, Jesus’ question made the detachment announce who they were looking for. He made them own it. One day every person in the history of the world will have to take responsibility for what they did with The Name…and we know that at that time, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess Jesus as LORD (Phil. 2:10-11). Whom do you seek?
“I am.”
Jesus answered them with this curious phrase, two words in both English and in the original language (ego eimi). It is curious because Jesus didn’t say I am He, but simply I am – the He was added by the translators and is not in the original text. With this Jesus boldly proclaimed that He was God, connecting His words to the many previous I am statements recorded in the Gospel of John (6:48, 8:12, 8:58, 9:5, 10:9, 10:11, 10:36, 11:25, 14:6). “Here our Savior let out a little beam of the majesty of his Deity, and 500 men fell before him” (Trapp). Judas was not in control of the situation, nor was the large detachment of guards…and they all knew it. Jesus was in control and was simply allowing them to continue with their evil act because it had to be accomplished.
The meekness of Jesus was on full display in the face of human evil. It is still in operation today. He could have been born into earthly majesty—but he wasn’t. He slept in the boat—but awoke to calm the raging seas. He wept over his friend’s death—then called him from the grave. He died on an old, rugged cross—then walked out of the tomb three days later. Jesus the meek lovingly calls out to all of creation with an invitation to confess, repent, and be saved. His meekness and patience hold back the full display of his power…but not forever. Will you turn to Him in submission before the final day and His final declaration of “I am”?
