In the Beginning: The Book of John

(John 18:1-9[HCSB])

1 After Jesus had said these things, He went out with His disciples across the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden, and He and His disciples went into it. 2 Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with His disciples.

3 So Judas took a company of soldiers and some temple police from the chief priests and the Pharisees and came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.

4 Then Jesus, knowing everything that was about to happen to Him, went out and said to them, “Who is it you’re looking for?”

5 “Jesus the Nazarene,” they answered. “I am He,” Jesus told them. Judas, who betrayed Him, was also standing with them.

6 When He told them, “I am He,” they stepped back and fell to the ground.

7 Then He asked them again, “Who is it you’re looking for?”

“Jesus the Nazarene,” they said.

8 “I told you I am He,” Jesus replied. “So if you’re looking for Me, let these men go.”

9 This was to fulfill the words He had said: “I have not lost one of those You have given Me.”

After Jesus had prayed for Himself, His Disciples, and for all believers, He set out across the Kidron Valley toward the Mount of Olives where Our Lord positioned Himself and His followers for the arrival of Judas and his entourage. Of course the Disciples had no idea that the events which were unfolding that very evening would alter the direction of their lives forever. Yet, it is clear that Jesus was spiritually prepared, and not one bit surprised (see verse 4). Even in the other gospels’ recollection of fervent prayer and sweating blood droplets it is clear that Jesus knew exactly what was about to befall Him and His trusted friends.

Imagine all of the men settling in for an evening with Jesus; most were expecting continued teaching, and undoubtedly an explanation of the lessons and prayers they had heard over the previous couple of days.

Instead of their rabbi’s calming voice there is the cacophony of animated voices, the drumming of hurried feet, and the unmistakable flickering of torches through the trees. All of the indicators spelling trouble … serious trouble … in the darkness.

Jesus, in John’s narrative, diffuses the situation by taking the preemptive step of announcing Himself to the crowd using the familiar “I am He,” three times. This calls attention to Himself, but is also a familiar claim to divinity* which bears its own evidence when those assembled step away from Him and fall to the ground.

*Exodus 3:14 God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.”

Jesus loses not one for He is the Good Shepherd. “He is Who He Is” and cannot do otherwise.