When Jesus said to them, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. So he asked them again, "Whom do you seek?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." John 18v6

We are in the garden the night before Jesus is crucified. Judas comes to betray Him and has brought a band of soldiers and some officers with him. When Jesus asks them who they have come for, they say "Jesus of Nazereth". Jesus' response is simply "I am". Most Bible's we read from put in the he afterwards, but it is not there in the original. Jesus was not just telling them that He was Jesus of Nazereth, He was telling them that He was the I am.

The name "I am" was first used by God, back when Moses asked God, who shall I say sent me. In Exodus 3v14, God replied, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'". So we see Jesus here using the same name and what effect does it have on his enemies? We read in our verse, that they draw back and fall to the ground. At this point Jesus could easily have walked away, but His time had come.

Jesus knew it was time for Him to be taken, to be falsely tried, and to be put upon the cross at Calvary, to die for our sins. So instead of walking away, He stays and allows them to be taken. But insists that His followers may go free. These verses here at the beginning of John 18 cleary show us that Jesus had lost none of His deity, He was still God, but allowed cruel men to take Him and crucify Him, dying there on the cross, God manifest in the flesh. If you know Him as Saviour then just take a moment to give thanks to God for the One who was willing to leave Heaven and die for your sins. But if you don't know Him as Saviour then please, think again about His offer of Salvation, if you turn and believe, asking forgiveness for your sins, then He will indeed save you.

Please send any comments you have on this article to a.wood@assemblyyouth.net

Editorial How much is Christ worth to you?		Spending time in the Scriptures Haggai
	I am's of Jesus Christ

All quotes are from the English Standard version of the Bible unless otherwise specified.