Knocked Down in His Presence

"The Kiss of Judas," fresco in Scrovegni Chapel, PaduaI came across a curious passage the other day in John 18:

When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went into it.

Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

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.

Again he asked them, "Who is it you want?"

And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." "I told you that I am he," Jesus answered.

This part of the story of the arrest of Jesus--the part where he asks who they are looking for--is only found in the gospel of John. What struck me is the part relating how the mob, having heard Jesus confirm his identity, "drew back and fell to the ground."

The fell down? What knocked them down? And why, after that unusual reaction to him, did they get right back up and arrest him? Why didn't the experience of being knocked down leave them rattled enough to change their course of action? Why did they persist in doing the wrong thing?

I have always been taught to stand in the face of adversity. I've been taught that it's honorable to carefully and prayerfully consider a course of action, and then hold my ground even when assailed by those around me who might prefer to "knock me down." And I think it's true that being strong and holding one's ground is an honorable thing.

But reading this passage made me wonder. Are there times when God arranges to knock us down to the ground as a warning that it might be good to reconsider a course of action? Would it be wise for us, when we're feeling that the wind has been knocked out of us, to perceive a calling to recognize that we are in the presence of Jesus, and that we might be dead wrong in our purpose?

Obviously, the answer is "yes." But then comes the hardest question: How do you differentiate between a "stand firm" moment versus a "reconsider your course of action" moment?

Just one of my musings on this particular morning.