David Bahn – Reflections

John 18:1-8

 ¹When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. ²Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. ³ So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. ⁴Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” ⁵They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. ⁶ When Jesussaid to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. ⁷So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” ⁸Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.”

I wish I could have seen this moment of encounter between Jesus and those who came to arrest him. The band of soldiers were on their way to arrest Jesus. They have his name in hand, “Jesus of Nazareth.” They are armed against both the night and the band of apostles with lanterns, torches and weapons. But Jesus’ simple words, “I am he,” knocks them to the ground! So the intended victim challenges them again, “Whom do you seek?” Same answer. Same confession: “I told you that I am he…let these men go.”

When we know who we are deeply and whose we are we discover great power. Our identity as God’s sons and daughters gives us a standing before God that puts all of earth and heaven in perspective. We live out that identity in obedience to God. When we know, also that we are sons and daughters of the King (whose we are), we can also lay hold of incredible authority, exercising that authority in great power. Jesus knew who he was and whose he was. He had a clear identity, played out in obedience to the Father. He also had incredible authority, worked out in unimaginable power.

What would it be like to claim that same place under the Father who loves us and the King of kings who has saved us? It would be like living in a covenant relationship of faith, and as representatives of the King. If we define ourselves as sons and daughters of God and emissaries of the King we might see our enemies draw back and fall to the ground.

Jesus would humble himself before this band of soldiers, and submit for a time to their evil plans. But in the end he so perfectly lived as the Son of God, that he was raised even from the dead. Now he lives and reigns at the right hand of the Father. Before him every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess Jesus as Lord. I, for one, am thankful to confess him today as my Redeemer and Lord.