SEEK ME, LET THEM GO

Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” (John 18:8 ESV)

In the beginning of John 18, Jesus does everything he can to be captured:

• he went to a garden where he often took his disciples, including Judas, knowing what would happen
• he "came forward" and met his captors
• he initiated the conversation by asking, "Whom do you seek?"
• he answered by simply confirming that "I am he"
• when his captors were astounded at his answer, he asked again, "Whom do you seek?"
• he answered again by confirming that "I am he"

He did not cower, nor did he waver. Jesus confronted his death, head-on -- even further, he chose death, and is the only one ever to do so.

Earlier in John, Jesus spoke again and again of being sought by his disciples, who he said wouldn't be able to go where he was going. But here in John 18, Jesus is sought and found by his captors. He allows himself to be sought and found by them in order to be thrust to a cruel end.

Why?

To free his disciples -- physically, yes, but in the greatest sense as well.

Jesus knows the enemy's pursuit to kill him, the only one who can threaten his evil reign. He knows that he's the only one worth pursuing, by his friends and his enemies. So, to accomplish his purpose, I AM allows himself to be caught in order that his people would have freedom, speaking as if to the enemy himself.

The Gospel is a mighty lion caged within this one verse, ready to be unleashed by all who care to understand.