"Did You Catch That? Huh, Did You?"

Scripture Passage

Mark 14:53-65; Matthew 26:57-68; Mark 14:66-72; Matthew 26:69-75; Luke 22:54-65; John 18:25-27; Mark 15:1; Matthew 27:1-2; Luke 22:66-71; Matthew 27:3-10

Scripture Focus

Jesus said, “I AM. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Mark 14:62 NLT)

Observation

I love words. Not as much as some, I’m sure, but years ago Proverbs 15:23 became one of my favorite verses: “What a joy it is to find just the right word for the right occasion!” (Proverbs 13:23 GNB)

Jesus does that here—finds just the right word for the right occasion. He has been cruelly betrayed by Judas Iscariot. He has been arrested and falsely accused by members of the Sanhedrin. Finally, in an attempt to convict Him for blasphemy, Jesus is asked directly by the high priest—“Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” (Mark 14:61 NIV). Aware of it or not, the High Priest has just set Jesus up for the most richly-loaded-with-innuendo reply that’s ever been given. Jesus said, “I AM.” (Mark 14:62 NLT)

When God spoke to Moses at the burning bush, directing him to lead the deliverance of the Hebrews from Egypt, Moses protested and insisted upon additional information. He demanded to know the name of the God offering this deliverance. This was God’s reply:

“I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.” (Exodus 3:14 NLT)

Jesus recalls that very revelation here. That is the implication and interconnection Jesus delivers with His matter-of-fact reply.

And indeed, He is. All that Israel hoped and longed for…everything that Israel’s prophets had spoken of…everything that their covenant with Yahweh anticipated and portrayed…stood before the Jewish High Priest that day in the person of Jesus. Oh, that they could have seen it! Oh, that they—the descendents of Abraham—might yet see that yet today—that everything promised when God said to Abraham, “through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed,” (Genesis 22:18 NIV) has found it’s fulfillment in the Jesus of Scripture.  Oh, that all flesh might see it!

Oh, that all flesh might see not just the wonderful double entendre in Jesus' reply, but the wonder that the great "I AM" has borne our sin and supplied our redemption through through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ of God!

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