By Lisa S. Tarno

• “As Jesus said “I AM he,” they all drew back and fell on the ground!” John 18:6

To be quite honest, I have overlooked this phenomenal fact before today. It literally gave me pause to comprehend it. I researched it some more and found in commentaries like Matthew Henry,

“Here is a multitude engaged against Christ – a band of men, a regiment, a Roman band, which some think was 500 men, others a thousand. Christ’s friends were few, his enemies many.”

When they were searching for, as they called him, Jesus of Nazareth, he answered them by saying, “I AM he.” By those very words he literally leveled them! Think of it…500 or more men falling on the ground just by Jesus’ words. The power he had was immense and to harness that power is nothing short of incredible.

Matthew Henry continues, “See how he terrified them, and obliged them to retire (v.6) They went backward, and, like men thunder-struck, fell to the ground… This word, I am he, had revived his disciples, and raised them up (Mt.14:27); but the same word strikes his enemies down.”

Dumbstruck they recovered themselves as they were intent on seizing him. In that moment, all Jesus did was speak and over 500 men collapsed yet Jesus availed himself to their capture to do the will of God. It is important to remember that no one took his life, Jesus freely gave it for us.

It makes me think of a Christmas song called “How Many Kings” and the lyrics are so poignant. The chorus goes, “How many kings stepped down from their thrones? How many lords have abandoned their homes? How many greats become the least for me? And how many gods have poured out their hearts to romance a world that is torn all apart? How many fathers gave up their sons for me?…Only one did that for me.”

In one sense, I shouldn’t be surprised because God spoke the world into existence. There is creation power. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and we see spoken resurrection power. And we too are told that our words are powerful. “The tongue has the power of life and death…” Proverbs 21:18 says.

What do we make of all this? For certain, God can speak to our situations and instantly they can be changed. As well, we are warned that the words we speak are containers of power. Last, I sit with Ephesians 1:19 as I contemplate that the same power that raised Jesus from the grave is alive in us. So then,… “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31 Just the words He speaks offer life or death and when we speak His Word over our lives…out-loud…consider the power we have at our access and is under utilized!

Jesus leveled over 500 men with a soft reply! Imagine what it will be like when he returns and his voice will be thunderous! I know I’m on the right side of that event… are you?