Jesus was standing in an olive grove when a group of people came to arrest him.
“Jesus knew everything that was going to happen to him. So he went to meet them and asked, ‘Who are you looking for?’ They answered him, ‘Jesus from Nazareth.’ Jesus told them, ‘I am he.’ Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with the crowd. When Jesus told them, ‘I am he,’ the crowd backed away and fell to the ground” (John 18:4-6).
Today we hear his Son, Jesus, say, “I am he.”
The same Jesus who wanted little kids to run to him and hug him is the same Jesus whose words literally knocked people to the ground. He is holy and his voice, which is calm and soothing to you, is scary to those who fight against him. When the crowd came face-to-face with the real, living, holy, powerful Jesus, it knocked them off their feet. Yet they still refused to admit who he really is.
The next time Jesus is on this earth everyone is going to fall down, but there will be a different outcome. “At the name of Jesus everyone in heaven, on earth, and in the world below will kneel and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10,11).
Dear Jesus, you are all-powerful. Help me remember that you are always with me, watching over me. Amen.
