Jesus up, soldiers down? What's up with that?

An angry, resentful, determined band of men ready to rid themselves of a serious problem strode with Judas to the olive grove.

They were fired up and ready, ultimately, to kill.

Officials of the temple, and according to some Scripture versions, soldiers, approached Jesus and His friends that night.

They demanded to know which man was Jesus. When Jesus answered, they fell backward and to the ground.

But, why would these angry, powerful, motivated men fall down? Let's check it out.

Some versions say Jesus said, I am He. I don't think that's correct.

I believe the versions that say that he said, I am.

Judas, therefore, having taken the band and officers out of the chief priests and Pharisees, doth come thither with torches and lamps, and weapons; Jesus, therefore, knowing all things that are coming upon him, having gone forth, said to them, `Whom do ye seek?' they answered him, `Jesus the Nazarene;'

Jesus saith to them, `I am [he];' -- and Judas who delivered him up was standing with them; --

when, therefore, he said to them -- `I am [he],' they went away backward, and fell to the ground. John 18:3-6

I am. As when God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. Exodus 3:14 

God referred to Himself as I AM. Perpetual. Now. Present.

We are also told that in the beginning was the Word and the Word was God and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. John 1:1-14.

Jesus Christ is God. I AM in the flesh. Emmanu-El. God with us.

And when I AM in the flesh stepped up and declared His presence, I AM, the power in that place was so strong, the enemy could not stand. Friend or foe, the human body cannot stand in the presence of the full power of God.

I had to know where and how this happened in the Old Testament.

I called a rabbi friend and asked about these following verses:

1 Kings 8:11 so that the priests could not *stand* to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.

Did that mean, in the original Hebrew, that the priest could not bear to move and talk, or that he could not stand up?

The rabbi assured me they could not stand up. That's why a rope was tied around the priest's ankle. To pull him out of the Holy of Holies if he died.

And the word for glory in Hebrew is chabod. It also means weight. Heaviness. It makes sense:

2 Chronicles 5:14 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory (weight, heaviness) of the LORD filled the house of God.

Some today would call it falling under the Power, or slain in the Spirit.

And we have these precedents, Old Testament and New. Tenach and New Covenant.

Jesus' power came, not because He was God, but from His anointing with the Holy Spirit. Acts 10:38 He did no miracles until He was anointed with the Holy Spirit.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were there in that Garden.

If we can just wrap our minds around this concept: the same Holy Spirit, this same power of God who raised Jesus from the dead can dwell in all of us.  Romans 8:11 We are commanded to "be (continually) filled with the Spirit."

He dwells in those who believe Jesus died to take the punishment for our, yes, sins. In those who receive Him into our hearts and lives and ask Him to help us do better.

We can receive power to tell others and to live our lives to the fullest as God the Holy Spirit works through us for our joy and well-being and His glory.

If you're ready to receive this awesome Jesus, be filled with His Spirit, and have a wonderful relationship with God the Father and see His hand in your life, and know you can live with Him forever, just scroll down and click the Ready button.

Go on, do it now.  : )