4/9/2019  1 Comment (Comments at the bottom of this reflection.)

Today's question:
"Whom do you seek?"

From John 18:
5 They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.”

Reflection from Alyce Ufheil 

Yes, they were shocked and fell to the ground when He said, “I am He.” How would you, as Believers in Christ, react to this same situation had Jesus come before you? In this century, we have already read the Scriptures and heard of all the MIRACULOUS events that took place before His crucifixion.

If today, Jesus were to appear before me, I would be overwhelmed with great AWENESS and JOY of Him! I would ask Jesus if He could please spend some time with me so that we could share and commune with each other. And, I’m sure He would because He cares about ALL of His children. I visualize a quiet and serene setting with no distractions whatsoever. I would attentively LISTEN to His gentle voice and inspiring words. Of course, I wouldn’t want that time with Him to end!

Throughout my “journey”. I have had many “nudges” and “whispers” from our heavenly Father. As Believers, we should always pay attention and “listen” and then follow through with what He is “communicating”.

I would apologize to Jesus in His disappointment with some of us who have questioned His ways and had doubts about Him. We ALL need to remember that He suffered for us! How can you not clearly see Him nailed to the cross! We know that He understood our earthly human spirit and our flaws. Despite our inadequacies, He ALWAYS FORGAVE US for our transgressions and continually embraced us with His grace and unconditional LOVE. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34
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I look forward with great anticipation of His return! What a GLORIOUS AND JOYFUL DAY it will be! I can visualize the “blinding” light and the Angels surrounding Him! And to also BELIEVE that we will FOREVER be with Him embraced by His LOVE, GRACE, and PEACE. Amen.

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Comments

Harolyn Thogersen
Wed, Apr 10, 2019 at 6:38 pm
Hello, Alyce. I’ve been looking forward to seeing what question would be assigned to you, and what your response would be. You’re right; we have the benefit of scriptures to tell us what happened to Jesus. Judas, who betrayed Jesus, and the soldiers and officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees who arrived to arrest Jesus had, instead, the advantage of being in Jesus’ presence -- intimately, in Judas’ case. What struck me was, all of these persons “drew back and fell to the ground” when Jesus identified himself to them. It was as if, despite themselves, they were overcome.

We understand why Judas may’ve done so, having betrayed Jesus. Perhaps he feared Jesus might smite him dead, or felt abject shame and guilt. But the soldiers and the others? Had they heard Jesus teaching, witnessed his miracles, or heard about them? Was there an aura about Jesus, of authority? Authenticity? Holiness? Maybe they realized in whose presence they were, suddenly. Still, they recovered themselves, arrested Jesus and took him away, leading to Jesus’ having to bear the cross to his own crucifixion, as least as far as he could carry it. 

Here’s where my mind wandered: There are a couple of accounts in the Bible about what happened to Judas after this confrontation; neither was good. But what happened to those soldiers and those representatives of the Jewish religious leaders who led Jesus away? At some point, did they understand what they had done? How did they live with themselves? Were they able to redeem themselves? What a cross to bear …

We have our own crosses to bear, since we have scripture, understand Jesus’ sacrifice, that God had a plan for Jesus, and that He has a plan for us, yet, sometimes we drift away, forget His presence in our lives; overlook His guidance. It’s overwhelming to think how many ways we may and do fall short; I don’t feel ready at all to meet Jesus and to account for my choices. But it does help to be part of a community of believers, and to reminded that the whispers we hear and nudges we feel are significant, to reflect on scripture, and to discover its relevance to us. You began mentioning our Heavenly Father in your letters and messages a long time ago, Alyce, and sometime along the way, I began paying closer attention to the faith you welcomed me to share. Thank you for that, for your friendship, for the daily devotion you send me, and for this reflection.

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About Today's Author

Alyce Ufheil lives in Mesa, AZ, and is a dear friend & sister in Christ of Harolyn Thogersen, member of FUMCDP. Harolyn and Alyce grew up on the Big Island of Hawaii in their hometown of Hilo. They attended and graduated from Hilo High School.

Years passed and they reconnected when Alyce lived in Palatine, IL. She misses their sharing and communing with each other and have she has fond memories of those times.

​Alyce feels blessed to have Harolyn in her life and is grateful that they are still able to keep in touch.

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