They Drew Back and Fell to the Ground

John Farley
Pastor Teacher
Sunday,
March 2, 2025

They Drew Back and Fell to the Ground.

JOH 18:1-11

JOH 18:4-6

What made Judas, the temple guard, and the Roman soldiers fall to the ground?

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John crafted
verses 4-6
with great care.

1. Jesus said to the Roman soldiers and the Temple Guard,
“I am He”. I AM.

2. Judas, who was betraying Him,
was standing with them.

“I AM” was a
sacred name.

It was the name that Yahweh, the LORD God of Israel, gave Himself.

So when Jesus said
“I AM”, He identified Himself as the LORD God of Israel.

This is the first reason why those soldiers were knocked to the ground.

Jesus was declaring Himself to be God in the flesh.

Judas, who was betraying Him, was standing with them.

In chapter 13, Jesus predicted His betrayal - and pointed out his betrayer.

JOH 13:1-4

The devil put into the heart of Judas the motivation to betray Jesus.

JOH 13:21-32

During the Passover meal, Satan actually entered into Judas.

Jesus is the LORD God of Israel.

 

Add in the Romans and the unbelieving Jews -

The world
Evil religious leaders
The devil

One day, the LORD will completely wipe out Satan and his minions.

First, there was a cup for Jesus to drink.

MAT 23:11-12

In God’s eyes,
the greatest is
the servant of all.

PHI 2:5-11 (KJV)

This is the second reason why those soldiers were knocked to the ground.

It was a foretaste of that day when every knee shall bow.

You can do nothing without My consent.

But Jesus had one goal that night: to gain the greater victory.

COL 2:13-15

And God the Father sent a message with those two words:
“I AM”.

JOH 18:6