What Jesus Did! 'In Control' — John 18:4-6

Friday, November 6, 2026

Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet [Judas and those with him]. "Who are you looking for?" he asked.

"Jesus the Nazarene," they replied.

"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 18:4-6 NLT

Key Thought

John helps us see that Jesus' rejection and crucifixion were not some horrible accidents that occurred because he couldn't prevent them. Jesus was in control. He protected his disciples. [1] He made others fall back in fear. He died on the cross only because he allowed it to happen in order to follow his Father's will and to bring salvation to us. [2] The cross, along with its agony and ridicule, is made all the more precious for us because Jesus had the ability to stop it from happening, but instead, submitted his will to the Father's will and the needs of sinners, like you and me.

[1] John 18:8.
[2] Matthew 26:53-54.

Today's Prayer

How can I thank you, dear God, for loving me so much? How can I ever show my appreciation, Lord Jesus, for the price you willingly paid for my sin? Thank you for knowing the cruelty that lay ahead of you and yet bearing it for me. To you, Lord Jesus, belong all glory, honor, and majesty. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

Seed, Towel, Promise, and Torchlight: The Torchlight
Article by Phil Ware
With Jesus' arrest under torchlight, the end for darkness' reign drew near. Phil Ware concludes his four-part series on Jesus' Passion called seed, towel, promise, and torchlight.

Illustration

Illustration of John 18:4-6 NLT — "I AM he,"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, November 6, 2026

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Faith's Solid Ground'
"Dear Precious Disciple, While many things in life are complicated, the basis for saving faith shouldn't be. I want you to know that your faith is on...."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Reassurance' (Mt. 1:19-20)
"Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced [when she became pregnant]. While he was trying to figure...."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Joy Comes in the Morning' (Acts 8:4-8)
"[After the death of Stephen,] the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. Philip, for example, went to the..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'The Body of Christ' (1 Co. 12:1-11)
"Dear Father, great, good and generous giver, Thank you for making me part of the body of Christ, his church. Thank you that there are no unimportant...."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!