Jesus is the great I AM

 BY Argie Simonis

In John 18 we read the story of Jesus' arrest. 

"Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, comes thither with lanterns and torches and weapons."John 18:3

A roman band was about 600 men. Keep reading in verse 6:

"As soon then as he had said to them, I AM he, they went backward, and fell to the ground." John 18:6

This was 600 men, including Judas, falling backward to the ground because of the anointed words that Jesus spoke. God used the same words when He introduced Himself to Moses in Exodus 3:14 when Moses asked His name: " And God said to Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shall you say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you." 

Jesus could have slain them all by just a word, but He submitted to them in order to accomplish His Father’s will.There are many instances recorded in Scripture where people fell to the ground as a result of being in God’s presence:

- 2 Chronicles 2:15 when the glory of the Lord filled the house on the day of the dedication of Solomon's temple

- Ezekiel fell on his face twice as he saw the glory of the Lord (Ezekiel 1:28 and 3:23) and had to be quickened by the spirit to get up again (Ezekiel 2:2 and 3:24).

- This same thing also happened to Daniel twice in Daniel 8:17 and 10:8-9

- Saul, who became the Apostle Paul, also fell to the ground on the road to Damascus as the glory of the Lord shone from heaven Acts 9:4. He later revealed that all of those who were with him fell to the ground Acts 26:14. 

- The Apostle John, on the isle of Patmos, fell at the feet of Jesus and said that it was like he was dead Revelation 1:17 .

The same thing still happens today. Just as some people faint when they experience fear, experiencing the awesome presence of God can cause people to become weak and retain no strength in their physical bodies. Jesus is the great I AM and there is power in His name!