This is the last time in John we will see Jesus declare, I AM.
(Remember, this is a significant theme in John as the gospel continues to draw Jesus back to the deep theology of Genesis & Exodus, the latter of which we see God declare to Moses that he is I AM.)
Here, in the garden of arrest, as soldiers come to take him into custody, he declares his positioning with God. It’s striking that those who came shrank back at the first mention of the name, but still went on to carry out their plans.
That, too, is powerful and significant. Sometimes we might say that if we were just in the presence of Jesus, we would know more or do better or have more faith or something. Or, we might tend to think that humans will do the right thing when actually confronted with true righteousness. But here, that is not the case.
Humanity, created in the image of God, has great capacity to do wondrous good things. But the opposite is true as well: we also have great capacity to turn away from righteousness—even when it stands right in front of us.
We are well into the events of Holy Week in our journey through John now. This is resonant with Lent as we remember his suffering and death. This is the heaviness of Lent. Hold steady. The cross is coming.
John 18:1-9
After he said these things, Jesus went out with his disciples and crossed over to the other side of the Kidron Valley. He and his disciples entered a garden there. Judas, his betrayer, also knew the place because Jesus often gathered there with his disciples. Judas brought a company of soldiers and some guards from the chief priests and Pharisees. They came there carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons. Jesus knew everything that was to happen to him, so he went out and asked, “Who are you looking for?”
They answered, “Jesus the Nazarene.”
He said to them, “I Am.” (Judas, his betrayer, was standing with them.) When he said, “I Am,” they shrank back and fell to the ground. He asked them again, “Who are you looking for?”
They said, “Jesus the Nazarene.”
Jesus answered, “I told you, ‘I Am.’ If you are looking for me, then let these people go.” This was so that the word he had spoken might be fulfilled: “I didn’t lose anyone of those whom you gave me.”
Psalm 27:1-3, 11-14
The Lord is my light and my salvation. Should I fear anyone? The Lord is a fortress protecting my life. Should I be frightened of anything? When evildoers come at me trying to eat me up—it’s they, my foes and my enemies, who stumble and fall. If an army camps against me, my heart won’t be afraid.
Teach me your way, Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Don’t give me over to the desires of my enemies…
Hope in the Lord! Be strong! Let your heart take courage! Hope in the Lord!
Prayer
God,
Jesus stepped forward with courage when others stepped back. He spoke the truth,
even knowing it would lead to suffering.
Forgive us for the times we’ve shrunk away from righteousness, even when we recognized it.
Give us strength to stand with you now—in the garden, in the story, in the days ahead. Keep us near.
By your Spirit & in your name, I AM,
Amen.