Jesus is constantly teaching us
to trust, often through the ‘storms’ and conflicts of life.
To meditate/pray upon
John 18:4-6 ‘Jesus, knowing all that was
going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they
replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.)
When Jesus said, “I am
he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.’
John 8:58-59 “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus
answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” At this, they picked up
stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple
grounds.’
John wants to communicate Jesus’ complete control over this situation.
Firstly, He goes to meet His betrayers, which has been ordained by God;
Secondly, He uses this term “I am” (NIV translates the Greek “I am He”).
This is a reference to His deity, as Jesus identifies himself as the God who
met with Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3)
Their falling to the ground expresses something of Jesus’ divine
authority over the situation as He chooses to go to death for us.
The disciples’ needed to learn to trust in the power and care of Jesus;
we see them learning this through incidents such as when the disciples are in
fear of their lives, but Jesus calms the storm,
Matthew 8”26-27 ‘He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so
afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was
completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man
is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”’
Throughout this and the other
gospels, Jesus reveals and teaches us His absolute authority over all things.
Jesus is constantly teaching us to trust, often through the ‘storms’ and
conflicts of life. Let’s all of us take these things to heart.
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