Gospel

Drawing Back And Falling To The Ground

by Roland Crim
08/29/21
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“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. John 18:5-6 NIV

Notice that Jesus made no attempt to avoid the forthcoming arrest. He had gone out to ask those who came who it was that they sought. When they replied “Jesus of Nazareth” He plainly told them that He was the one they sought. I believe that those who came for Him were a bit surprised at His admitting He was the one they sought, and I think for a very brief instant they might have realized that they were standing in the presence of God, thus retreating and falling to the ground. Jesus exerted no special force that would have caused them to fall, so I believe something temporarily was realized by those who came to arrest Him, and this caused the drawing back and falling to the ground. Whatever the cause, it was short-lived.