"I AM" - For You!

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.”

Jesus knows all things, creates all things, redeems all things. And, knowing all things that would happen to Him, steps forward, that there be no doubt, if there ever were any, as to His identity as the one who was destined to suffer at the hands of this angry mob.

But let us stop and consider who this is of whom St. John speaks. The mob seeks Jesus of Nazareth, and they find Him, but what does that mean for you? Let us consider who this is, of what sort or how great He is, and finally why He would suffer so.

Who is this who steps forward to suffer? The angry mob, stirred up by the leaders of the Jews and led by the traitor Judas, has come in search of the man known as Jesus of Nazareth. Our Lord, knowing what was in their minds and what would happen, steps forward and answers the charge: “I AM”. And with this revelation the Creator of the universe reveals Himself to those who are unworthy to receive Him.

At Jesus' word, Judas and all with him are knocked backward and fall on their faces. They come face to face with the Creator of the universe, who reveals Himself in no uncertain terms. He is so much more than they had reckoned on finding in that garden. This is no mere man who agitates the crowds with His revolutionary preaching.

This is Jesus, the Son of God, who does all things most excellently, even suffering. Your sufferings are of no value or merit. Consider this: it is none other than God Himself who suffers for your sins. This is no example for you, for you could never live up to this standard. Rather this is the wonder of what our God will do for you.

Of what sort is this God-Man who suffers all this willingly for you? How great is the manner of this Jesus of Nazareth? He is the sort of man who is innocent. Totally and completely, perfectly innocent. He is not merely innocent of the external, gross standards of the Law. He is innocent in the way no other man on earth is. For, as St. Paul says, who would die for the wicked? But one might die for a good man. But this perfectly innocent man will die for you, who are wholly wicked and without justification in the least.

Of what sort is this man Jesus? He is the sort who is begotten of the Father before all eternity. He is the giver of all good and perfect gifts. He is of the sort who need not suffer anything, for He is the Creator of the universe, and His mere word knocks His enemies on their faces. And yet, He is the sort who does suffer all things to His great harm but for your salvation.

Which then leads to our final consideration – why did our Lord Christ suffer? The first answer is the obvious one, but the lesser. He suffered because of the hatred of men. The Jews hated Him because He upset the apple-cart. He challenged their authority. He urged the people to worship with their hearts and minds and bodies, rather than with their offerings and money and obedience. The leaders of the Jews could not tolerate Him, and so they sought to have Him killed at the hands of a pagan Roman governor. This St. Peter declares on Pentecost: “this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.” (Acts 2:23) This Jesus, who did indescribable works of great power and glory, and who gives innumerable blessings and abundant mercy, you killed.

However, the second and greater part of the answer to why Jesus suffered all these things is much more difficult to understand, but inestimably more important. Our Lord Christ suffered all things willingly for you because of His great love for you, and for all of His creation. He suffered willingly because you cannot bear it. The great I AM showed His all-consuming love in this, that while you were yet dead in your sins and trespasses, while you were yet enemies of God, He died for you, that He might deliver you from death, devil, and damnation.

Think on the sufferings of Christ in this way. Then turn to consider your own sufferings. In the light of Christ, whatever crosses you may bear are of no account. They are worthless before God. Consider your good works, your grand intentions. The nice things you think you have done for the sake of your neighbor amount to dust and ashes. All that is of value is the surpassing greatness of possessing Christ Jesus as your savior. Thanks be to God that your salvation does not depend on the worth of your efforts and abilities, but rather on the will of God which was carried out in Christ Jesus. I AM has done it all for you.

Therefore, Jesus willingly hands Himself over to be arrested and carried away, but He commands the mob to leave alone His disciples, that none be lost of those the Father has given to Him. And none are lost, because the Word of God stands between them and destruction. Just as He stands between you and your destruction. Here He stands, and the hordes of hell may come no further. Here He stands, and though devils all the world should fill, they can harm you none. You will never be lost, since you have been given to Christ, and His Holy Spirit keeps you firm in the one true faith. The devil may attempt to harm you in this world, but his end is fixed, and he may not snatch you out of the hand of your Redeemer.

In the Name of Jesus. Amen.