From my reading in John 18:1-18 in the One Year New Testament.
One phrase literally FLOORED those who were seeking to arrest Jesus.
Jesus asked them who they were looking for and they said, “Jesus the Nazarene,” then Jesus said,
I Am he,” Jesus said. (Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.) As Jesus said “I Am he,” they all drew back and fell to the ground! John 18:5–6
One of the the names of God is “I AM.”
When Jesus said “I AM” the Jews could have taken that to mean “I am God”! Warren Wiersbe says,
“Why did the arresting soldiers draw back and fall to the ground when Jesus told them, “I am He”? The Jews present would be struck by His “I AM” statement, an affirmation of Deity. The Romans, who were in the majority, would be struck by His bearing, for it was obvious that He was in command.”
Jesus was ready to face those who would eventually kill him.
This confidence and wiliness to die showed his love. Later he said,
“I told you that I Am he,” Jesus said. “And since I am the one you want, let these others go.” He did this to fulfill his own statement: “I did not lose a single one of those you have given me.” John 18:8–9
Jesus didn’t lose those he was given, and he never will lose any of his followers.
If you are a follower he sacrificed himself for you! He gave himself up so that we can be saved! He is the one who saves!
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