Any Christian with even a passing knowledge of Jesus’ suffering and death is well aware of the “big things” that our Savior endured as our holy Substitute.  And make no mistake about it, the big things are indeed big! 

However, there are many “little things” that occurred along the way – lesser known and lesser noted things – that carry great significance as well.  For these weeks of the Lenten season, we’ll take note of some of those lesser things that carry large significance.

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It’s only mentioned by one of the Gospel writers … and it’s essentially contained in just one verse.  It would be an easy thing to overlook. 

But we dare not!  The Holy Spirit moved John to record this event because it is significant!

Jesus had been begging his Heavenly Father in prayer to find another way to atone for the sins of the world, but there was no other way.  So Jesus resolutely set his heart, mind and body to the bloody and brutal task before him.

Meanwhile, Judas the betrayer had led an armed mob of soldiers, spiritual militants, and curiosity seekers to the Garden of Gethsemane where he knew Jesus would be found.  Matthew tells us this was “a large crowd armed with swords and clubs.” (Mt. 26:47).  John adds that the crowd included a “detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials.” (Jn. 18:12)

Were the soldiers present “simply” temple guards, or had Roman soldiers also been recruited?  (This is entirely possible if the Jewish leaders had argued to Roman leaders that legionnaires were needed to “keep the peace.”)  The Bible doesn’t provide us with the total number in the mob, but if Roman soldiers were involved, it could easily have been in the hundreds.

Here is where John’s Gospel picks up the account:

(John 18:4-6) Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”  “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.

There’s the seemingly little thing with great significance.  When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

A person working through John’s account could read those words and think, “Huh.  That’s interesting,” and continue right on reading without giving it much thought.   But this isn’t just some strange occurrence.  It’s a telling event.  A significant synopsis.  A brief summary with great importance. 

“A large crowd” that included soldiers and Jewish leaders – potentially numbering hundreds – were knocked off their feet by just a few words from Jesus!

Why do we dare not overlook this seemingly little event?  Because Jesus is demonstrating his extreme power … AND subsequently his willingness to go through with the suffering.

The Scriptures make it perfectly clear that Jesus was arrested … not because of the betrayal.  Not because of the “unexpected” and sudden appearance of the mob in the darkness.  Not because of the sheer numbers of his opponents.  Not because of the soldiers, swords and clubs.  Not because his disciples abandoned him.

Jesus was seized … because he refrained from using the power at his disposal.  Jesus ended up in his enemies’ hands … because he allowed himself to be seized.  While the crowd dared to believe that they controlled the situation and Jesus … it was actually Jesus who was in complete control.

This is a crucial truth that every Christian needs to comprehend.

The Son of God carried the full power of God.  He turned water to wine and fed thousands with a few fish and loaves.  He healed the sick (even those with incurable diseases!), and he raised the dead.  He walked on the water and calmed the storms.  In fact, just moments after knocking the mob to the ground, Jesus reattached an ear that Peter had sliced off.

Jesus was brimming with power.

When the mob arrived, he didn’t experience a sudden power outage.  His power wasn’t tapped out.  It wasn’t depleted, misplaced or unavailable.  Nor was Jesus temporarily unable to access his boundless capabilities.  He didn’t forget how to harness it or mysteriously neglect it.

Jesus deliberately chose to leave his boundless power unharnessed.  But he incapacitated an armed “army” with a few words to show what he could do … if he so desired! 

 But he didn’t desire it.

It was necessary for him to endure the rejection and ridicule, the torture and torment, the very horrors of hell.  It was necessary for him to be arrested by the mob, because that’s how the saga began.  Therefore, he capped his power and turned himself over to his enemies – willingly, and seemingly (but not really!) helplessly.

And note this truth well: that boundless power was able to be unleashed at any moment during all of his suffering.  During the mockings, beatings, scourging, nailing and dying.  Jesus could have easily revealed his absolute power at any moment and terrified and devastated his tormentors.

In addition, after Peter swung his sword, Jesus told him that as the Son of God he could call on his Father, “and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels!” (Mt. 26:53).

But Jesus never did either.  He never unleased his power, and he never called on the heavenly host of angels.  Because then his assignment to redeem the lost sinners of the ages would have been lost. 

Jesus had to refrain and endure the pain.  It was the only chance for the transgressors; it was the only chance for you and me.

Praise the Lord Jesus that he was overflowing with power … and that he deliberately didn’t use it.  That means that you and I are truly forgiven … and truly headed to heaven!