Thoughts on the Gospel of John (176) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, whom are you seeking? They answered Him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said to them, I am He. And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. Now when He said to them, I am He, they drew back and fell to the ground.
John 18:4–6

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (176)
It is dark. Jesus gathers with His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Jesus’ enemies, led by Judas, come to arrest Him. It is “[their] hour, and the power of darkness” (Luke 22:53). But the dark shadows cast over this scene only serve to make the “true Light” appear even brighter.

First, we see that Jesus of Nazareth is “over all, the eternally blessed God” (Romans 9:5). Anyone who is merely human would shrink back in such a situation – at least if he had an idea of what awaited him. Only of a divine person can it be said in an absolute sense that He knows everything. Jesus knows “all things that would come upon Him” and does not retreat! In divine sovereignty, the Lord approaches His enemies. He is not afraid of them at all.

Although Jesus knows very well that He is being sought, He questions the horde. He wants to hear it from their mouths so that He can then show them His divine glory. Their answer reveals what they think of Him: “Jesus of Nazareth” – an expression of contempt.

But who really is the One they are looking for? He is the “I AM”, the Eternal One. God had already revealed Himself to Moses (Exodus 3:14). The chief priests and Pharisees knew this very well. Now He stands before them – and they fall to the ground. Against the Son of God, the hostile world, despite its united forces, can do nothing. “Wisdom and might are His” (Daniel 2:20).

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today’s reading: Nehemiah 5:6-19 · Proverbs 12:20-28