I Am | Easter | Part 1

Share This:

S.O.A.P. – “Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer”

When you assess the brokenness of the world, where you do place the blame? Do you share any of the blame?

“The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.” John 10:17–18 NLT

Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley with his disciples and entered a grove of olive trees. Judas, the betrayer, knew this place, because Jesus had often gone there with his disciples. The leading priests and Pharisees had given Judas a contingent of Roman soldiers and Temple guards to accompany him. Now with blazing torches, lanterns, and weapons, they arrived at the olive grove.

Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them. “Who are you looking for?” he asked. “Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied. “I AM he,” Jesus said. (Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.) As Jesus said “I AM he,” they all drew back and fell to the ground! Once more he asked them, “Who are you looking for?” And again they replied, “Jesus the Nazarene.”

“I told you that I AM he,” Jesus said. “And since I am the one you want, let these others go.” He did this to fulfill his own statement: “I did not lose a single one of those you have given me.”

Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave. But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering the Father has given me?” John 18:1–11 NLT

What made Judas feel powerful?

What made the priests, Pharisees, soldiers, and temple guards feel powerful?

What made Peter feel powerful?

What made Jesus truly powerful?

Which one are you going to follow—and how do you wield the power God has given you?

Lord, this was such a dark moment that revealed what was truly in the hearts of so many people. My fear, jealousy, and desire to be powerful would have probably caused me to sin in similar ways. Thank you for showing me love when I least deserve it. Help me to love others.