Happy Spring Break! Today’s Lenten devotional comes to us from Sean Willeford. Sean serves as the Director of the Baptist Student Ministry (BSM) at TCU, and his wife Janelle serves as an Associate Director. While Sean and Janelle are new to the BSM, they moved to Fort Worth in 2005 when Sean accepted the position of Director of Athletic Training Education at TCU. In 2010, believing God was calling them into full-time ministry, Sean resigned his position at TCU, and Sean and Janelle began a missionary journey leading them to serve in the Philippines where they are still involved and oversee the Ifugao Bible Institute. In November 2024, Sean and Janelle returned to the TCU campus to serve the Horned Frog BSM, and we are thrilled to welcome them back to TCU!
John 18:4-11
[4] Then Jesus, knowing everything that was about to happen to him, went out and said to them, “Who is it that you’re seeking?” [5] “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. “I am he,” Jesus told them. Judas, who betrayed him, was also standing with them. [6] When Jesus told them, “I am he,” they stepped back and fell to the ground. [7] Then he asked them again, “Who is it that you’re seeking?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said. [8] “I told you I am he,” Jesus replied. “So if you’re looking for me, let these men go.” [9] This was to fulfill the words he had said: “I have not lost one of those you have given me.” [10] Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) [11] At that, Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword away! Am I not to drink the cup the Father has given me?”
Reflection:
The events sending Jesus to the cross were beginning. He and his disciples crossed the Kidron Valley east of the city of Jerusalem to the garden. Coming with Judas to the garden was a company of soldiers, some officials, and some Pharisees. This was a significant number of people following Judas to the garden to arrest a peaceful man.
Jesus knew who they were, he knew why they were there, and he knew what was about to happen. He did not run, and he did not resist. Jesus simply asked them who they were looking for. When they said they were searching for Jesus of Nazareth, he replied with the same Greek “ego eimi” or “I am” John records many times in his Gospel. The text says they stepped back and fell to the ground. There appears to be some reverence for Jesus in this moment. Falling to the ground would signify a divine revelation as Jesus said, “I am he.” He again asked them who they were looking for and again replies, “I am (ego eimi) he.” Jesus was not being captured. Even in his arrest, Jesus was in command, and he was willingly headed to the cross for us.
Jesus was no longer free. His earthly ministry had come to a conclusion. However, the coming events would only serve to bring more glory to God. The world thought they had won the battle, but Jesus would soon conquer the world and provide salvation for all who believe.
As we look to Easter Sunday, we are reminded of the sacrifice Jesus made that takes away the sins of the world. We are also reminded He is Risen!
Let us pray.
God, we honor you and worship you as holy and sovereign. We thank you for redeeming us unto yourself through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Today, may we turn to you, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, and may we run the race you have set before us with our eyes focused on Jesus!