Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, ”Who is it you want?”
”Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.
”I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, ”I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
When I read this passage I smile to myself. Jesus is generally humble and gentle in all his dealings with people. Sometimes I wish he would just cut loose like he does when he cleanses the temple. You know… kind of like in the old Westerns on TV…
It is a hot, dusty day in Cutthroat Gulch. The only thing moving in the afternoon heat is the tumbleweeds that occasionally roll down Main Street. The sky is hot, and throats are dry. A stranger rides into town on a white horse. Out of every broken window of the second story boarding house, a dusty rifle bore slowly moves into the harsh sunlight. Every gun is aimed at the stranger. The bad guy sheriff slides his coat back revealing his holstered .44 Colt. Even the kid who’s dad owns the trading post pulls out his slingshot ready to have his fun with this unwanted visitor.
Before the first trigger is pulled or the first rock flung, the stranger smiles and sunlight glints blindingly off his pearly white teeth. His eyes glint with something akin to humor, and his hair, ruffled by the same breeze playing with the tumbleweeds peeks out from under his white hat.
”What’s your name, stranger?” Growls the cowhand in front of the saloon.
”Jesus,” answers the stranger.
”Jesus?!” Replies the cowhand. And then all hell breaks loose. Every trigger is pulled, every rock flung. Smoke billows from each gun, every barrel pointed at the man on the white horse. And then it happens…
Each bullet, every rock, and even the tumbleweeds all stop dead in their tracks. Jesus looks around sadly at the lost souls who inhabit this town. Then he raises his hand and speaks The Word. Each atom in every person whose heart is filled with hate suddenly stops and is repelled from every other atom in that person. Like a cloud of vapor or a mist in the wind, each gun, each slingshot, each barking dog and every person deserving death swells into a puff like the smoke from their guns. The atoms disperse and the souls sink down and out of sight. The only people left are those kneeling in awe.
Jesus rides on…
Somehow I just want Jesus to stomp the bad guys and make everything right. But that’s not his style. He is a loving God. He doesn’t want to hurt the good with the bad. He knows a price has to be paid to redeem those whom he loves. Instead, we only get a glimpse of his power, authority, and glory. When he speaks his name, they all draw back and fall to the ground.
Food for Thought: How do you feel about Jesus holding back his power when there is so much evil in the world?
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Continue reading “Cutthroat Gulch – John 18: 4-6”