The Voice of Authority

 Devotion: “I AM” – The Voice of Authority

“Jesus said to them, ‘I AM.’ … they drew back and fell to the ground.” – John 18:5–6 (paraphrased from original language)

In the dark of Gethsemane, under the shadow of betrayal, Jesus stood with unwavering strength. The soldiers came armed and ready, expecting perhaps resistance or fear. But when Jesus stepped forward and declared, “I AM,” something eternal echoed through that garden. This wasn’t just a man answering a name—this was God speaking His divine identity, the very same I AM who spoke to Moses at the burning bush.

How easily our English translations can mute the thunder of these words. “I am he,” sounds modest. But in the Hebrew worldview, Jesus was invoking the sacred name of God—YHWH—the One who simply is. No wonder they fell to the ground. Heaven’s voice broke into time once again.

When I reflect on this moment, I realize how often I read the Gospels with Western eyes—forgetting that these were Jewish men and women immersed in Torah, prophets, and traditions. They understood the weight of Jesus' words. They didn’t need a theological commentary; they felt the power. And so should we.

Years ago, I read this passage and barely noticed anything remarkable—until I came to understand it in its Hebraic context. Then it changed how I viewed Jesus entirely. He wasn’t just passive in His arrest; He was sovereign. He wasn’t overcome—He overwhelmed. His very presence caused armed men to collapse. That is the Jesus who reigns today.

Contemplation:

• Do I recognize Jesus as the eternal I AMin my own life situations?

• When I feel overwhelmed by the world, do I remember that Jesus’ words still carry divine authority?

• How would my faith change if I read Scripture through the lens of the culture and language in which it was written?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, You are the great I AM—unchanging, eternal, full of power and mercy. Forgive me when I reduce You to less than who You are. Open my eyes to see Your Word in its fullness. Help me to understand Your Scriptures through the lens of those who first heard them, that I may not miss Your truth. Let Your “I AM” echo in my heart when I am afraid, when I doubt, and when I need strength. I bow before Your holy authority and ask that my life be a testimony of Your power at work in me. Thank You, I AM, for being with me always.
In Your holy name,
Amen.