The Gospel of John records a curious little note during the arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
John 18:4-7 (ESV) Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
Jesus speaks and the soldiers, the officers of the chief priests, and the Pharisees fell down when Jesus spoke.
I’ve been studying about “Armageddon” lately and I’ve noticed a curious detail concerning the final war of men against God: Jesus arrives and the battle is over (Rev 19:11-21).
Jesus does have a weapon: “From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations” (Rev 19:15).
The question is, is there a real metallic sword protruding from Jesus’s mouth, or is this a metaphor for the power of his breath/word?
I’m not sure, but either way, I don’t want to mess with Jesus. I’m pretty sure that the next time they come to capture and kill him, Jesus’s enemies won’t stand back up after he speaks.
And this isn’t to mention that God created the entire universe with mere words… I’d say His words are pretty powerful!!!
And then there’s 2 Thess 2:8, “And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. “
Just a related thought …
I’ve been asked the question before: What’s going on in that episode between Jesus and the people who came to arrest Him? Why do they fall to the ground and then ask him the same question again? I think the answer lies in the next two verses: “Jesus answered, ‘I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.’ This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: ‘Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.'” (John 18:8-9, ESV.)
When Jesus said “I am He,” He was purposefully displaying his power so that the mob would listen to his demand to let the disciples go free. It’s a powerful example of the Good Shepherd protecting His sheep, and it’s a testament to the extent of His power that He could do that with mere words.
Seth – interesting, but after writing this post a couple of days ago, I listened to a sermon (which I had no idea was related) in which the speaker was suggesting the same thing you are. I don’t think I had thought of that before.
so exciting! I can’t wait till that day when he comes again and all will bow!
seth, that is cool too!