I AM [he] (John 18:5)

Lesson #294

In the last lesson we ended with Jesus asking the question: “Whom do you seek?” “They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them” (John 18:5 ESV). John does not mention the kiss of Judas to identify him and so we don’t know if it occurred before or after this response. Jesus makes it clear that he is the one they are after by saying, “I am he.” Most translations weaken his answer by adding “he” to “I am” for English clarity, but in the Greek, Jesus said: “I AM”, identifying himself as part of the Godhead. We will see the impact of Jesus saying “I AM” in the next verse.

Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with those he brought to capture Jesus. What a contrast we see here with Judas. A short while ago he was at supper with Jesus and the rest of the disciples and now he is with those intent to destroy Jesus. This reminds me of Psalm 1 (ESV): “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore, the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” Judas clearly left the place of blessing and went and walked in the counsel of the wicked, stood among sinners, and sat with scoffers and as we follow his life we will find that he like chaff will be driven away into destruction. Those who stay with Jesus and delight themselves in the Word will be like a tree planted by streams of water and will yield its fruit, even in times of drought.

One must stop and think hard about Judas. How did he get from being a disciple to walking with those seeking to destroy Jesus? Is it possible for you, if you experience some major tragedy or disappointment, to get really upset with God and turn away from him? If you were to experience severe persecution and were about to lose everything, maybe even your life, how would that affect your walk with the Lord? Be sure of your salvation and decide how you will respond if that time comes and how to prepare for it. Study those under persecution and learn from them. Find verses that relate to persecution and learn the proper interpretation of them, not the western view. As you experience any form of suffering now, learn from it as your first priority, even at the expense of comfort. If persecution comes you will lose your idols of comfort, convenience, safety and security. How will you live without them? Will you continue to walk with the Lord or maybe tend to follow Judas?

Prayer

Father, we each need to clearly determine who we are standing with. It is Jesus or some form of Judas and are there conditions that help us determine that? Father, I believe that this is a serious question to be asked here in the west where we are not standing in the face of active persecution against our faith. If our faith was tested what score would we receive? At what cost would we say enough and turn away like Judas? I believe we need to determine if we are willing to die for our faith as Jesus died to make faith possible.