the awesome power of Jesus’ presence

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Jefferson Vann shares a devotional thought about the power of Jesus Christ.

John 18:1-6

John 18:1 After Jesus had said these things, he exited with his disciples across the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it.
John 18:2 Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples.
John 18:3 So Judas took a company of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees and came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
John 18:4 Then Jesus, knowing everything that was about to happen to him, exited and said to them, “Who is it that you’re seeking?”
John 18:5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. “I am he,” Jesus told them. Judas, who betrayed him, was also standing with them.
John 18:6 When Jesus told them, “I am he,” they went away backwards and fell to the ground.

John shows the awesome power of Jesus’ presence here. Soon, Jesus will submit to torture and death at the hands of a sinful and ignorant people. But at this point, the focus is on who Jesus is. The words are the familiar ἐγώ εἰμι that mark the significant identity of Jesus.

In my Afterlife article, “Spring Up Oh Well” I show that John records Jesus identifying himself and his significance with seven famous “I am” statements:

“I am (Ἐγώ εἰμι) the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in me will ever be thirsty again.¹

Jesus spoke to them again: “I am (Ἐγώ εἰμι) the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”²

Jesus said again, “Truly I tell you, I am (Ἐγώ εἰμι) the gate for the sheep.³

“I am (Ἐγώ εἰμι) the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.⁴

Jesus said to her, “I am (Ἐγώ εἰμι) the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live.((John 11:25 CSB.))

Jesus told him, “I am (Ἐγώ εἰμι) the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.⁵

“I am (Ἐγώ εἰμι) the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.⁶

Yes, Jesus submitted humbly to the cross for us. But make no mistake about this: he did it because he loved us. He has power and authority over all the universe.

Lord, thank you that we can approach the awesome power of your presence through prayer.

More Devotional Thoughts

References

John 6:35 CSB (see also John 6:41, 48, 51). [↩]
John 8:12 CSB (see also John 8:18,24,28). [↩]
John 10:7 CSB (see also 10:9). [↩]
John 10:11 CSB (see also 10:14). [↩]
John 14:6 CSB. [↩]
John 15:1 CSB. [↩]

About Jefferson Vann

Jefferson Vann is a teacher, Bible translator, and avid blogger. "My hope is that everyone who reads my writings will have an opportunity to understand the gospel, and will know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior." He has written books on theology and Bible commentary. You can read more of Jeff's writing at Devotions | Jefferson Vann | Commands of Christ | Learning Koine Greek Together

John 18:1-6