Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” Then everyone deserted him and fled.

--Parallel verses:
‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭5‬
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

To understand the course of events and what was happening at this critical moment when Jesus is arrested, I find John 1:1-5 to be helpful.

First of all, Jesus is correct. Biblical prophecy is always fulfilled. God sees all of time and space at once, this is one of his characteristics — omniscience.

And the gospel of John helps us understand that Jesus is one with God, along with the Holy Spirit as a part of a triune Godhead. It starts by identifying Jesus as the Creator. Genesis identifies God as the Creator. So this clearly identifies that they are one.

It then further defines that he is the source of life in the world. This is critical for me to not only understand intellectually, but to embrace at a heart level. Jesus is the source of life, and he sustains true life in me — both the resources I need to live physically and those life-giving qualities that last for eternity.

It also says this life was the light of men. He is the truth and clarifies the truth. He provides all of the great nutrients that the sun does in this world, but spiritually. And it dispels the darkness of this world. This world is under the dominion or control of Satan. Satan is the Father of Lies, and he loves to deal in dark things and act in evil ways.

I find it so interesting that they arrested Jesus under the cover of darkness. Jesus, I believe, points this out because he is trying to highlight that their deeds are evil. The normal judicial process was not used. They schemed and plotted and operated in dark corners and under the cover of darkness.

And in another account in the gospel (John 18:11), Jesus is documented as chastising Peter for using his sword to cut off the ear of a servant from the Jewish leaders. He then heals his ear. Jesus did not come to fight a war. He came for sacrifice.

And this light of the world, Jesus, would let his light dim for a few days, only to shine much brighter across much more of the world in the hearts of his followers by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

The Light sacrificed his rights to die. His death produced our redemption from sin, his resurrection proved he was loved by God, and his ascension gives us an advocate at the Father’s right hand. And finally, his Holy Spirit gives us instant access to God in our hearts and a light that shines so brightly out of us into the hearts of others.

Lord Jesus, thank you for being the Creator of the World and the Rescuer of the World too. For those of us who believe, we are declared righteous, because you chose sacrifice over your rights. Thank you so much! I am forever grateful!