Ash Wednesday March 5, 2025
“The Powerless ‘I Am’” John 18:1-11
Rev. John R. Larson Ascension Lutheran Church Littleton, Colorado
This year our Lenten journey uses the story of Christ’s passion as told by St. John. We’ll look at Jesus’ betrayal and arrest, Jesus facing Annas and Caiphas, Jesus before Pilate, Jesus delivered, His crucifixion, death and burial. I pray that the image of Christ is imprinted in our minds and hearts during these times together.
Tonight we are in the garden. Jesus had already washed His disciple’s feet. He had already instituted the Supper and fed them His body and blood for their forgiveness. He had prayed for the disciples and had warned them of what was coming to them. When that had happened, Jesus led them to the Garden. He prays in great anguish, “Father, if possible, let this cup pass from me. But not my will but Your will be done.” He prays this three times.
The Father’s answer is clear: there is no other way. Jesus must drink the cup of suffering, the cup of God’s anger over sin. In anguish He sweats blood. The angels are there to comfort Him. When He rises He calls for the eleven disciples to join Him. Then Judas arrives. He has already spoken about the kiss that would be the sign for the arrest to happen.
It is here that our conversation begins. You may know that there are seven “I Am” statements in the Gospel of John. “I am the bread of life.” (6:35) “I am the light of the world.” (8:12) “I am the door.” (10:7) “I am the good shepherd.” (10:11,14) “I am the resurrection and the life.” (11:25) “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (14:6) And, “I am the true vine.” (15:1) These words tell us much about Jesus and what He had come to do. The words of Jesus remind us of the words that God had with Moses when God was in the burning bush. The Lord’s words to Moses were, “I am who I am.” (Exodus 3:14) Jesus, using the words “I Am” tell us that Jesus is the Lord, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God.
But sometimes we miss the times when Jesus goes beyond saying, I am something like a door, the way and so on. Sometimes He just uses the words, “I am”. In John 8:58-59 we read, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I am! At this they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.”
Here in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus is about to say those two words again. And when He does two different things happen. This is how it went as He met the gang coming to Him with weapons and lanterns, “Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, ‘Who is it you want?’ They asked for Jesus. Jesus said, “I am he.” When Jesus said ‘I am he’, they drew back and fell to the ground.” (See John 18:4-6)
With that word, Jesus reveals the truth of who He is, and He demonstrates the power of His divine majesty. That word knocks them over. At that word, all the soldiers “drew back and fell to the ground.” Lanterns drop, swords and spears fly. It is like a tornado hit. This is a miracle, a wonder, a sign. One little word, and they are like bowling pins.
But they are not destroyed. They stand up, dust themselves off, pick up their spears. They look at Jesus who asks them again, “Who do you seek?” Maybe they’re a little more tentative this time. But they answer, “Jesus of Nazareth.” And again Jesus says to them, “I told you that I am he.”
But, now, nothing happens. No one falls over. No one teeters. The first “I Am” sent them flying. The second “I Am” doesn’t move them at all. The first “I Am” shows that Jesus is God in the flesh. The second “I Am” shows that Jesus is not using His power to protect and serve himself. The first “I Am” demonstrates that Jesus could avoid the cross. The second “I Am” shows that He won’t, that He is willing to be led like a lamb to the slaughter.
The first “I Am” is the miracle of God’s power. The second “I Am” is the miracle of God’s weakness, and this one is the greater miracle…and greater wonder…and greater gift.
This weakness, this silence, that is the miracle that we need to see:
They approach Jesus. Nothing happens.
They touch Jesus. Nothing happens.
They grab Him and bind Him. Nothing happens.
They strike Him on the face, spit on Him, pull out His beard, strip Him, whip Him, drag Him to Golgotha. Nothing happens. They crucify Him, and there is no resistance, no fighting back, no knocking them over with a word.
Why? This is all weakness and suffering. This is the foolishness of God. This is the weakness of God. And this was all done for us. Behold this miracle of weakness. Behold this wonder of humility. Behold the suffering of God for sinners. For you and me.
Who do you seek today? We seek Jesus, the great “I Am”. When we ask, “Jesus, are you a friend of sinners?” He answers with two words – “I Am”. “Jesus, are you our light and hope?” He says, “I Am.” “Jesus, are you on my side?” “I Am.”
All we need from our Savior are two words, “I Am.” In that promise, we stand. Amen!!
(This sermon uses many of the words of Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller of Austin, Texas. His series titled “St. John Passion”, Concordia Pulpit Resources, 2024, forms the basis for our Lenten series this year.)
