Whom are You Seeking

Warriors Arise: April 15, 2022

John 18:3-9 (NKJV) Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?” 5 They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. 6 Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9 that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.”

This is interesting in so many ways. Keep in mind, this follows after Judas tried to give "the signal." It is also why I am unsure if Judas actually kissed Jesus or if what Jesus said to Judas made them all realize what they were doing. It is evident that they are not in control of the situation. Judas may have seemed like the conquering hero as he led them through the city out to the Garden of Gethsemane, but now that they have arrived the tables have turned. Jesus is totally in control of the confrontation. He is not surprised by their coming. He is not afraid of the mob or the soldiers. He speaks to Judas by name, so they know He knows Judas.

Luke 22:47-48 (NKJV) And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. 48 But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

I think they were all frozen. They didn't know what to do. The mob asked themselves, "Did Judas kiss that man? It is one of the others?" The disciples were thinking, "What is Judas doing? Why did he bring this mob out here?" Neither know what to do. Jesus highjacked this entire event. It wasn't going to go down as Judas, the mob and the soldiers had planned. After Jesus confronts Judas with the hard core truth, no one knows what to do. The man just asked Judas if he was going to betray Him. No one was supposed to know that Judas was behind bringing the mob and soldiers. It was supposed to be a simple signal to the mob and soldiers would do the rest.

Have you ever put together a plan where you were convinced it would go down exactly as planned and you would be free from the dirt that was clinging to you. Lies sound so much better in our minds than when played out. Jesus was not about to let this go unchecked. Everyone here would know what they were about to do and be responsible for their part in it.

Jesus asked the mob and soldiers, "Whom are you seeking?" Are you surprised at their response? There were a lot of people in the mob along with the soldiers and all of them drew back and fell to the ground. What do you think they were thinking?

"How did I get on the ground?"

"Who pushed me?"

"What is going on?"

"Who is this Man?"

Do you think they fell in a heap, stumbled to the ground or maybe, something from above made them fall on their face? Was there a point to be made by this? I think so. I think this is where it was evident, they were not in control. They didn't bring enough man power. They weren't sure if they would fulfill their orders. Even the man the were following had fallen to the ground.

When Jesus asked a second time, "Whom are you seeking?" We do not know if the mob, Judas and the soldier had regained their feet or if they just stayed down unsure of what to do. Maybe they remained down because He asked the same question, they gave the same answer which could bring about the same results.

John 18:7-9 (NKJV)Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9 that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.”

Jesus is concerned for His disciples. He has shown Himself to be in control of this situation. Even though they do not have Him yet. He bargained with the mob. He had made them answer who they had come for, so they understood no one else was to be taken or harmed. He demonstrated who was control of this apprehension. They couldn't come any closer until they answered. They responded according to the Scripture Jesus quoted. These are temple soldiers. They may not know the Scripture, but they recognized the way Jesus said it. Therefore, they knew He was referring to Scripture.

There are times when God asks us a question, so we have to vocalize the answer. We have to know what it is we are wanting. We have to acknowledge our purpose in being before Him. It is also for us to know what we are not asking. Have you ever entered a conversation knowing what you needed to ask, but intending to take the conversation several directions? I think the mob and temple soldiers had plans for doing damage to everyone with Jesus, but He would not allow that to happen. He made them say what they needed, what they were there to do and got them to understand that was all that would be happening. They were not going to take matters beyond what was part of God's plan. God's plan was only for Jesus to be apprehended and taken to the priests.

Father, You have done this when I have come to You. I needed You to answer one question, but I intended to ask so many other questions. You apprehended our time and made me remain on topic. You spoke to me in that one area deeper than I knew I needed to go. I pray I would be open to be directed by You and what You know I need to know. I don't ever want to come into our time with my own agenda that would prevent me from receive exactly what You know I need to know. I ask You to be in charge of our time together. I pray I would yield to Your leading and answer the questions I need to know what my heart and mind are thinking. There are times things are rolling around in my mind and they don't stop. I need You to direct our time together so I get the answer that will keep me on track with You. Thank You for asking the questions I need to answer. I trust You to lead in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy Hand

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