Daily Reflections From Higher Things®

Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 22:1-21; John 18:1-14 When Jesus said to them, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. (John 18:6) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When Judas, the band of soldiers, and officials sent by the priests and the Pharisees said that they were looking for Jesus, Jesus replied, "I am he." Perhaps this was merely an admission that He is Jesus, or perhaps Jesus is saying the divine name – I AM (Exodus 3:14). Either way, what happens next is amusing. Immediately, the band of soldiers and the Jewish officials fell backwards, right to the ground. Jesus knocked over His enemies with a mere word. They did stand back up, probably shaking a bit. They did arrest Jesus. However, John recorded this amusing detail, so that you might know that Jesus went with these men willingly. Jesus is the true God, the Almighty. Nobody can force Jesus to do anything against His will. Indeed, He really could have come off the Cross, if He wanted to. That's the point. He wanted to go with these men. He cho