Judas approached Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane with a detachment of Roman troops and officers from the temple security force to arrest Jesus. Jesus asked who they were looking for. They replied, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
Jesus said, “I am.” “I am” is the identity Jesus gave Himself when meeting Moses at a burning bush. Three times, He declared to Moses, "I am."
Judas, the troops, and the temple guards drew back in response and fell to the ground.
A flash of Jesus’ divinity repelled the darkness in their hearts.
And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.' " Exodus 3:14 (NKJV)
John offers us a subtle reminder of this moment by using “I am” three times in this story of Jesus’ arrest.
Identifying Himself as “I am,” Jesus declares His divine character, authority, and mission of charitable love. John’s reference to Jesus’ divine identity three times is a testimony to His belief in Jesus’ divine character as the benevolent, triune God in human flesh.
Jesus stands in contrast to Judas the betrayer, Annas the imposter, Peter the denier, and Pilate the oppressor.
What does your declared identity reveal about your character and mission?
This post is part of a series inspired by my reading of the Gospel of John. This post is a reflection of my thoughts on John 18:1-40.