Tues.'s Devo - I AM

Read John 18: 3-11
Judas knew the power that Jesus possessed so he brought a whole squad of armed soldiers to arrest him. Jesus knew what was ahead for him and that this was all in the plan. But they needed to confess their deed so he asked them point-blank who they were looking for. Their answer would condemn or justify them. They chose to be condemned, and just to let them know that he was more powerful than a multitude of men and all the weapons in the world he spoke his name which blew them off their feet.
Moses had asked God his name and he said I AM. Jesus spoke the same name. Just the fact that they weren't fazed by the demonstration of power shows the depth of their deception. They said they were looking for Jesus of Nazareth. It has always been about his geneology. Was he from Nazareth, Bethlehem, Joseph, or God? He was really from Bethlehem, but few knew this. The religious Jews stumbled over this because they knew the Messiah was suppose to be from Bethlehem. But, ultimately he was from God which he told his disciples countless times.
Then Jesus asked that his disciples be free to leave which was the answer to his prayer in John 17. All was well till Peter took his sword and cut off the soldier's right ear... not just any soldier but the high priest's servant, Malchus. This is recorded in all of the gospels but in Luke it tells us that Jesus touched his ear, and healed him. Another demonstration of power that fell on hard hearts.
Jesus told Peter to put away his sword because this was God's will for him. In other words, this is not the time to fight, this is the time to submit.
Lord, may we always have hearts that are soft and discernment to know when to fight and when to submit to your plan.