The apostle John wrote how Jesus, “went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted there with his disciples. Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek you?”, and in chapter eighteen and verse five of his book John shared how, “Jesus said unto them, I am he” where we read:
They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said unto them, I am he.
And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
The verse reads, “They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said unto them, I am he.” John began with the words, “They answered him” which means “the crowd of soldiers, servants and officers responded and began to speak saying”, “Jesus of Nazareth” or “Jesus who is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation and was from the village of Nazareth which means one separated”. “Jesus said unto them” which means “the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation uttered, declared and proclaimed to the crowd of soldiers, servants and officers”, “I am he” or “I, Jesus, exist as him, Jesus of Nazareth”. John shared how the crowd of soldiers, servants and officers told Jesus they were looking for “Jesus of Nazareth”, and He confirmed that He was the one they were seeking.
The verse continues, “And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.” John added the words, “and Judas also” or “and Judas Iscariot even so and indeed”, “which betrayed him” which means “who delivered Jesus over to the authorities to be tried, tortured, scourged and crucified”, “stood with them” or “was standing alongside the crowd of soldiers, servants and officers”. John shared how “Judas Iscariot” was with the group of people who were seeking Jesus.
When we consider John's words in this verse, we learn how the crowd seeking Jesus were unaware who He was, and they had to ask so they would know. Jesus did not hide or resist their aggression and even though His disciple Judas Iscariot was with them, Jesus allowed them to pursue Him. God's plan of salvation for the sins of mankind was being fulfilled, and this crowd seeking Jesus was being used by Him for His purposes. Because He allowed this, God will forgive the sins of every person who yields their life to His Son Jesus, and those who submit to Him will be granted everlasting life with Him in Heaven.
Next time we see John shares, “as soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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