I Am He

I AM HE

JOHN 18:3-19:37

#IAmHe

JESUS SAID OVER AND OVER: I AM HE

READ JOHN 18:3-9

“So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. 4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you want?" 5 "Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "I am he," Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Again he asked them, "Who is it you want?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." 8 "I told you that I am he," Jesus answered. "If you are looking for me, then let these men go." 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: "I have not lost one of those you gave me.”

Judas Iscariot was one of the 12 closest followers of Jesus… called disciples. Sin came knocking on his door and he opened it and let sin reign in his life. He agreed to betray Jesus of Nazareth for money. He pointed out Jesus. I am sure the soldiers could have found out which Man was Jesus, but it was easier to have someone point Him out.

That is Him… He is the One who cured leprosy and made the lame man walk.

That is Him… He is the One who told the parable about the Samaritan and the Prodigal Son.

That is Him… He brought people back to life.

That is Him… He removed demons from people and healed so many others.

Judas pointed out Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus spoke with such power that the men who were asking to arrest Him fell back. Jesus did not hide. Jesus did not shrink back. Jesus of Nazareth when asked offered Himself freely to the soldiers. His only concern was for the safety of the disciples who were with Him. Jesus willingly allowed Himself to be illegally arrested. When they asked Jesus said three words in verse 6: “I am He.”

JESUS SAID OVER AND OVER: I AM HE

READ JOHN 18:15-27

“Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard, 16 but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in. 17 "You are not one of his disciples, are you?" the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, "I am not." 18 It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself. 19 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 "I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21 Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said." When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded. 23 "If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?" 24 Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest. 25 As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, "You are not one of his disciples, are you?" He denied it, saying, "I am not." 26 One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, "Didn't I see you with him in the olive grove?" 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.”

It is very interesting I think that the whole time Jesus is proclaiming “I am He” that one of His closest friends is saying over and over: “I am not he.” People saw Peter and thought he was one of the disciples. He denied it. He denied it twice. He denied it three times. I am not he. I am not he. I am not he.

Meanwhile, Jesus is being questioned over and over about His activities and ministry. Jesus admitted to speaking openly in the temple and in other places. Jesus admits to teaching nothing in secret.

Are you the One who taught that we should love our neighbors? I am He.

Are you the One who taught that we should not worry about tomorrow? I am He.

Are you the One who taught that we should take our sin seriously? I am He.