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? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them”, and in chapter eighteen and verse six of his book John shared how, “as soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward” where we read:
As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
The verse reads, “As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, ...” John began with the words, “as soon then as he had said unto them” which means “and immediately, straightway and forthwith therefore, wherefore and on this account when Jesus uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “I am he” or “I, Jesus, exist as Jesus of Nazareth” the following occurred. John shared that immediately after Jesus told the crowd who came for Him that He was “Jesus of Nazareth”, the whole assembly of soldiers, servants and officers did the following.
The verse goes on to say, “... they went backward, and fell to the ground.” John continued with the words, “they went backward” or “they, the soldiers, servants and officers went aback”, “and fell to the ground” which means “and descended, were thrust down and dropped prostrated toward the earth”. John shared how the entire crowd of soldiers, servants and officers “went aback and fell” to the earth.
When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn how powerful the word of Jesus was while He was on the earth. At only His word, this hostile group who came with Judas “fell backward” to the “ground”. Jesus is the Son of God and the Creator of the world. If He desired, this crowd of people would not only have “fallen backwards to the ground”, but could have perished immediately. God loves every person, and He desires a personal relationship with them through His Son Jesus. Those who are wise will perceive the power, grace and love within Jesus Christ and yield their lives to Him as their “Savior and Lord”.
Next time we see John shares how Jesus asked, “Whom seek you? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.”, 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".
No comments:
Post a Comment