As a child, if you knew you did something wrong, but your parents hadn’t found out yet, did you voluntarily tell on yourself? Or did you try to pass it off like it was your sibling’s or someone else’s fault? Or did you hide in your room hoping they wouldn’t notice? J I’m guessing most of us didn’t voluntarily tell on ourselves. Well, Jesus did! He didn’t do anything wrong in God’s eyes, but the jealous chief priests and Pharisees sent soldiers to arrest Him on the charge of blasphemy against God. Jesus had escaped their arrest numerous times before, but He knew it was now God’s time for Him to be arrested.
John
18:3-9 3So Judas came to the
grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief
priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. 4Jesus,
knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you
want?"
5"Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "I am he," Jesus said. (And Judas
the traitor was standing there with them.) 6When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell
to the ground. 7Again he asked them, "Who is it you want?" And they said,
"Jesus of Nazareth." 8"I told you that I am he," Jesus answered. "If you are looking for
me, then let these men go." 9This happened so that the words he had spoken would
be fulfilled: "I
have not lost one of those you gave me."
As a parent, boss, spouse, friend, or co-worker, you might be shocked if someone boldly admitted their mistake without you even asking who did it! However, would you fall to the ground? The fact that the soldiers fell to the ground, after Jesus admitted He was who they wanted, leads me to believe the soldiers were more than shocked by his words! I wonder if Jesus was radiating the glory of God!!! Jesus, a few hours before, had just prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:1b-3)
Maybe God was allowing the disciples,
soldiers, and officials to see but a piece of His glory even before Jesus’
death, resurrection, and full glorification. Those who hadn’t yet believed
were given another sign and an opportunity to believe!
Plus, Jesus’s selfless surrender showed His
love and submission to His Father, His great love for us, and His immediate
concern for His disciple’s safety.
When was the last time you and I made an
excuse or blamed someone else to get out of trouble? How will you and I
selflessly live like Jesus, looking out for the best interests of those around
us instead of only thinking about ourselves? That will bring glory to God!
