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.

Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.

Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”  John 18:4-9

Jesus has ‘Boss’ written right across him in this passage.

He knows everything that’s going to happen. And he just steps up to the plate.

And everyone else falls over.

So he repeats himself. And then tells them all that they should have listened to him the first time.

Even if you don’t pick up on the Jewish codewords Jesus uses, it’s clear who is running the show:

The Messiah. And this should come as no surprise.

Jesus’ makes a declaration of divinity in this section. “I am he” is code for that and the Jews would have known exactly what he meant by it. We know that they did, because they fell over.

Yet it is interesting that in the middle of this claim and its response, there is a bracketed mention of Judas.

Judas, who spent all that time with Jesus, and had seen all the miracles and healings. Judas who would have been there when Peter declared that Jesus was God. Judas who knew Jesus’ power and the authority in his teaching.

Even if Judas didn’t believe Jesus was God – he may not have – Judas had seen enough to know that there was something special going on. He must have considered Jesus at least a prophet, surely.

Yet Judas betrays Jesus.

The pain this must have caused Jesus. Not only the physical torture of the cross, but the heartbreaking pain of being rejected and conspired against by one close to him.

Yet, regardless of this, Jesus is still in control. They are out to get him, but he throws down the gauntlet.

Judas tried to bring him down. Jesus still has ‘boss’ written all over him.

For that’s who this man is and nothing can change that.

Yours falling down in worship,

Alison