Based on John 18:1-14 (King James Version)
“When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 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. Then He asked them again, ‘Whom are you seeking?’ And they said, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus answered, ‘I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,’ that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, ‘Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.’ Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. So Jesus said to Peter, ‘Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?’ Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.”
This might possibly be one of the most difficult passages to understand, not in the academic sense, but rather, of being able to truly understand exactly just what happened and how it was able to happen. To be able to at least start understanding this, it is essential to understand exactly who Jesus was (and is), and this is what limits almost every person that does not come to have a true relationship with God (which are the majority of people, whether you believe it or not); the issue that Jesus is God.
People say very easily the name of Jesus (which is what the Bible teaches us to call Him), but Jesus is not only the Messiah, but He is also God; the same as the other two Beings of the Holy Trinity. We see this quite clearly in the Scriptures through His other name: the Lamb, for it is written: “Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.’ Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!’ And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: ‘Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!’ Then the four living creatures said, ‘Amen!’ And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.” Revelation 5:8:14. So, undoubtedly, Jesus is God.
In the Old Testament, we see this same Jesus as Jehovah or Lord. And if He was Jehovah and the Lord, then He was also the one that Moses knew when God presented Himself through the burning bush, as it was left written: “And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’’” Exodus 3:14. Jesus is the I AM. And here is where we see the link that shows who exactly Jesus was here on earth. At the very moment He just mentioned His name, as the I AM, those that came to arrest Him felt only but a very small demonstration of His power, by drawing back and falling to the ground. I say that it was quite a small demonstration, and with a lot of mercy, because they should have been consumed, leaving only ashes. But, this happened so that it could be seen clearly just who Jesus was, and to give a very small glimpse of what was happening which was a true miracle, possibly the greatest miracle apart from the resurrection. Although, if you really know the Lord, you understand that for us it’s a miracle, but for Him, it was something quite simple, because what happened was simply just a revelation of a His nature. In the same manner, it was no big thing for Him to say His Name, and that the mentioning of His Name would make these weak men fall like dry sticks in the wind. What we see as great and miraculous was only manifestations of Who He was (and is).
But, this is what I truly see as something incredible, something that cannot be measured neither thought of with our poor and limited mind: How can such a powerful God let Himself be taken and even killed by beings that are so small and limited? I can’t come to understand it, and again, not because I cannot understand academically what it means, but rather, the mechanics (per se), or the act of letting them do everything they did while He being who He was. To put it into some sort of perspective (if it were possible), it would be like an elephant surrendering to the tyranny of an ant, or a handful of dirt submitting a high mountain, or a drop of water dominating the direction of the world’s oceans. Do you understand the point I’m trying to explain? Even though He took on our form (which is a great mystery), Jesus is God, and as such, His power was unlimited. He didn’t need the help of armies, or weapons, or angels, and even far less, Peter’s help to free Himself. He could have just said one word and the whole world would have been consumed beneath His feet, and of course, make His enemies disappear. This is what eludes, intrigues, and even disturbs me. This is what He Himself said: “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” John 10:17-18. God simply surrendered, and to very insignificant beings, because we are less than nothing. That’s why pride before God is illogical.
So then, what happens within a human being that makes it difficult to believe Jesus is God? Something very simply, but very illogical and without any foundation: they penalize a God that is so great in power and love for having humbled Himself for us. God humbled Himself so much that they see Him as someone inferior to them, and that cannot be forgiven here, and far less, in eternity. So, if you have been able to understand at least something of what happened, you can’t treat Jesus as an equal. There should only exist an incredible sense of humbleness and love for Him. One word of advice for those with some sort of understanding: Do not mistake His great love and mercy for weakness and lack of power. Therefore, if He surrendered in this manner for you, what do you think would be the fairest thing to do for Him? Lord bless! John