Conviction’s Expiration Date – Gary Thomas

“Jesus, understanding all that was going to occur to him, went out and requested them, ‘Who’s it you need?’ ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ They replied. ‘I’m he,’ Jesus stated. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus stated, ‘I’m he,’ they drew again and fell to the bottom. Once more he requested them, ‘Who’s it you need?’ And so they stated, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ ‘I informed you that I’m he’ Jesus answered.” John 18:4-8a

This virtually comical account of Jesus’ arrest (sure, I do know that sounds absurd, however take into account what is occurring for a second) reveals the tragedy of hardening hearts. The troopers strategy the unarmed Jesus with weapons and a number of backups, as in the event that they had been going to battle. On the path of Judas, they stand earlier than Him who stands in entrance of some civilian followers. It’s not even a battle.

Jesus takes command of the second by being the primary to talk. He is aware of who they’re after, however for the sake of His disciples, He asks, “Who do you search?” He desires His disciples to see what occurs subsequent: the hardened troopers fall again when he says, “I’m He.” These phrases, “I’m He,” so paying homage to God’s revelation to Moses, “I Am has despatched you,” are too highly effective. The troopers involuntarily fall again.

They didn’t simply fall again. They fell to the bottom. Three little phrases buckled their knees and sapped their braveness.

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