Scripture to Read: John 18:5–6
Jesus had asked the crowd “Whom do you seek?” but what is incredible is what happened next. We read in John 18:5–6,” 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.” In the original language, Jesus answered here in John 18:6 with the same Name He had given in John 6:48, 8:12, 8:58, 9:5, 10:9, 10:11–14, 10:36, 11:25, and 14:6—it’s the same Name God gave to Moses in Exodus 3:14. Jesus said, “I AM,” which in the Greek is “Ego Eimi.” Jesus declared His divine identity that He is God! Jesus displayed His divine presence, power, majesty, and glory, and His enemies were literally knocked to the ground by His Name. There were over 500 in that mob who came to arrest Jesus, and they were all rendered absolutely powerless when Jesus declared to them who He was. Two things not to miss here—One, though the spiritual forces of wickedness are incredibly powerful, they are nothing compared to our Lord Jesus Christ. Remember that even Satan had entered Judas (John 13:27), and Judas was also knocked to the ground simply by hearing Jesus proclaim Himself as God Almighty—Second, Jesus showed them He was in complete control of the situation. They had zero power over Him, but our Lord willingly submitted to them to carry out the Father’s perfect plan.
Challenge & Application
• Why did the crowd of over 500 fall to the ground when Jesus declared who He was?
• Knowing the incredible power, majesty, and glory in our Lord’s Name, how are you proclaiming Him daily?
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Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!