Why was this encounter with Jesus really so surprising?
The cohort of soldiers dispatched with their flickering lanterns, torches and weapons were prepared to fight as they crossed the bridge into the garden. Theirs was a simple command that must be carried out. They were accompanied by Judas and servants of the high priest. They expected the suspect to either run to hide or be prepared to fight. Particularly they had heard that this man had a lot of devoted followers who would defend him. So, as they crossed the bridge they were surprised that Jesus approached them to ask who they were looking for, as though He didn’t know. Yet, He knew. He had just spent agonizing hours alone in prayer with the Father preparing for this very moment. Judas knew that Jesus would be there in the garden, so often He had gone there to pray while the apostles slept. It was His place of solace—His prayer room whenever in Jerusalem. To the surprise of these officers, when they said that they were looking for Jesus of Nazareth; He responded “I AM HE” (John 18:5). They stepped back and fell to the ground in preparation to fight—they must be in position to defend themselves they thought. There were between 300 to 600 men all preparing for the battle. Again, Jesus says, “Who are you looking for?” Once more they say, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Then again, Jesus says; “I told you I AM He; so I am here—take me. Let these my friends go in peace, if I am who you seek.”
I AM HE WHO YOU SEEK
Not at all what they expected!! Even more surprising when Peter took his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant Malchus; Christ made Peter put away the sword. Then, miraculously Jesus placed His hand over the bleeding wound and restored the ear!! What was so different about this man? Did they understand what Jesus meant when He responded “I AM HE?” Did they know He meant, “I AM THE GREAT I AM; the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end” (Revelation 22:13).
All too often we come to Jesus expecting His anger toward us because of our sin. We come with our defensive stance; trying to explain why we failed and why he shouldn’t punish us. Or sometimes we come with our own frustration or anger that we “didn’t get what we wanted”; as though we deserved more than what we have been given. We come to Jesus with our own preconceived expectations and our frustrations with ourselves as well as our anger with life. We are afraid and we are anxious.
He responds with, “I AM He that you are looking for. All these things you think you need or want, will never satisfy that hunger in your soul. That emptiness, the aching desire deep in your heart, and that overwhelming desire to be “somebody, anybody” can not be filled with mere worldly bread. I AM the BREAD OF LIFE that will fill your hungry soul” (John 6:35).
We come with flickering lanterns and torches trying to “find our way” and figure it out on our own. He responds “I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).
We come with all our endeavors and promises to “clean up our own lives so that we will be deserving of heaven” and filled with pride in our own achievements. Jesus responds, “I AM THE DOOR, by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved and will find rest” (John 10:9).
We long to be loved, cared for, and provided for. We come to Him with our fears, sorrows, and worries in this life. Jesus responds, “I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD, I willingly lay down my life to care for you, provide your every need, and to prove the depth of my love for you.” (John 10: 10-18)
We come to Jesus with our sorrows, the pains of those whom we have lost, the despair of chronic illness, and our utter despair with life. Jesus responds, “I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE, he that believes in me, though he die; yet, he will live. Do you believe that? If so, live your life fully alive with joy, hope, and grand expectation of all there is to come.” (John 11:25)
We come to Jesus questioning His goodness in our life or the world around us. Some try to say that if God is good, He will save us all no matter how we live or what we believe in. Jesus responds, “I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. I am the one who lovingly sacrificed everything that I might bring you to the Father, the creator of this world—so that you might have an intimate Father/Child relationship with Him. I am the only way. I am the only truth and I offer you life eternally in the presence of God if only you believe in me.” (John 14:9-21)
We come with empty hands and empty hearts, wishing somehow we could prove ourselves worthy of our salvation. Jesus responds, “I AM THE VINE, you are the branches. In me you have everything you need to bring forth fruit. I will make you fruit bearing by filling you will my love, my joy, my power, and my glory. I won’t let you come empty handed. My Father will prune you. The Holy Spirit will mold you. I will fill you with abundant life overflowing. All you need is me. In me you have everything that you need.” (John 15).
[bctt tweet=”So, what have you come to Jesus with today?”] [bctt tweet=”Jesus is waiting with open arms, waiting to tell you I AM HE that you are looking for”]. [bctt tweet=”In Jesus, you have everything needed for a life filled with hope, love, joy & peace. “]
The Song I chose for you today is I AM
Please note that I have today paraphrased the scriptures to help you understand them; please, go and read them yourself in context.
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2015
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.