Can't Deny Him

This morning, the girls and I studied John 18:1-11 and we discussed any questions they had about verses that stood out to them. Elizabeth asked about verse 6, “Now when He said to them, ‘I am He,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.” Savannah asked about verse 3, “Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.” In both cases, we discussed what the verses meant and the picture of the magnitude of the situation. This wasn’t a quiet arrest of a lawless man. This was 600+ armed soldiers who showed up in a garden, at night, to arrest one sinless Man.

 

As we saw in verse 6, when Jesus responded to them, “I am He,” the men all fell to the ground. Their falling wasn’t because they tripped, but as a response to the power of the name I AM. No man, nor spirit, can deny the power of the Name. In His power, Jesus could have struck them dead, or escaped. Rather, by His power and of His will, He allowed Himself to be arrested and crucified.

 

It’s interesting that while the soldiers and Pharisees, and many others, refused to accept Jesus, they couldn’t deny Him. They couldn’t deny the miracles or His power—that’s what made them show up in a garden at night with over 600 armed soldiers. They didn’t want to believe, they refused to repent, but they couldn’t deny Him, either.

 

As we closed our study this morning, I asked the girls the same as I will ask you: to pray for those you know who have not, yet, repented and made Jesus their Lord and Savior. “For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life,” (John 3:16 AMPC). On this Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday and weekend, let’s not just celebrate what we have in Jesus, our Lord and Savior, but pray deeply and desperately for those who don’t, yet.

 

After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” … So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. ~ John 19:28-30 NKJV

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LASyD0ASRfI

Scandal of Grace ~ Hillsong United

 

©Heather Potts 2022

Not Your Circumstances

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKw6uqtGFfo&list=RDlKw6uqtGFfo&start_radio=1

Who You Say I Am ~ Hillsong Worship

 

“Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.  For your Maker is your husband— the Lord Almighty is his name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.” ~ Isaiah 54:4-5 NIV

 

Lately, the topic of identity seems to be everywhere. Somehow, we’ve confused our circumstances with our identities. When Brad and I were first married, he was addicted to pornography. Even though it was a hard season, his addiction didn’t make me Mrs. Porn Addict, just like it didn’t make his parents Mr. and Mrs. Failure. Praise God those chains were broken, and my husband was set free!

 

While our choices and circumstances affect us, they don’t define us. The moment we put our trust in Christ and made Him Lord of our lives, we no longer belonged to the world. We became God’s. His Name and identity became ours: “My old identity has been co-crucified with Messiah and no longer lives; for the nails of his cross crucified me with him. And now…this new life is no longer mine, for the Anointed One lives his life through me… My new life is empowered by the faith of the Son of God who loves me so much that he gave himself for me, and dispenses his life into mine!” (Galatians 2:20 TPT).

 

When you are in Christ Jesus, the labels of this world—whether from friends, family, teachers, bosses, or the enemy—no longer identify you. You are now and forevermore: Redeemed, More than a Conqueror, Victorious, Overcomer, Son or Daughter of the King, Beloved, Bride of Christ, HIS.

©Heather Potts 2020