Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet [Judas and those with him]. "Who are you looking for?" he asked.
"Jesus the Nazarene," they replied.
"I AM he," Jesus said. (Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.) As Jesus said "I AM he," they all drew back and fell to the ground!
—John 18:4-6 NLT
John helps us see that Jesus' rejection and crucifixion were not some horrible accidents that occurred because he couldn't prevent them. Jesus was in control. He protected his disciples. [1] He made others fall back in fear. He died on the cross only because he allowed it to happen in order to follow his Father's will and to bring salvation to us. [2] The cross, along with its agony and ridicule, is made all the more precious for us because Jesus had the ability to stop it from happening, but instead, submitted his will to the Father's will and the needs of sinners, like you and me.
[1] John 18:8.
[2] Matthew 26:53-54.
How can I thank you, dear God, for loving me so much? How can I ever show my appreciation, Lord Jesus, for the price you willingly paid for my sin? Thank you for knowing the cruelty that lay ahead of you and yet bearing it for me. To you, Lord Jesus, belong all glory, honor, and majesty. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2022 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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"Jesus the Nazarene," they replied.
"I AM he," Jesus said. (Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.) As Jesus said "I AM he," they all drew back and fell to the ground!
—John 18:4-6 NLT
Key Thought
John helps us see that Jesus' rejection and crucifixion were not some horrible accidents that occurred because he couldn't prevent them. Jesus was in control. He protected his disciples. [1] He made others fall back in fear. He died on the cross only because he allowed it to happen in order to follow his Father's will and to bring salvation to us. [2] The cross, along with its agony and ridicule, is made all the more precious for us because Jesus had the ability to stop it from happening, but instead, submitted his will to the Father's will and the needs of sinners, like you and me.
[1] John 18:8.
[2] Matthew 26:53-54.
Today's Prayer
How can I thank you, dear God, for loving me so much? How can I ever show my appreciation, Lord Jesus, for the price you willingly paid for my sin? Thank you for knowing the cruelty that lay ahead of you and yet bearing it for me. To you, Lord Jesus, belong all glory, honor, and majesty. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2022 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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