“Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.” – John 8:56-59
In your life, do you hide who you are or are you unapologetically you?
Most people hide certain aspects of their lives. It may be certain interests which they think others would laugh at, like the big, muscular guy who secretly likes to knit, or maybe it’s something they are ashamed of. Jesus, on the other hand, didn’t. He was who He was. We tend to hide things out of insecurity, but when you are the Son of God, you don’t need to be insecure.
Blasphemy!!
Jesus let us know that He is the Son of God in several places in the Bible and in different ways. One of my favorite ways is today’s passage.
The Jewish religious leaders didn’t like what Jesus taught, so they sought to discredit Him. This wasn’t easy since He was performing miracles. So, they started saying He was performing the miracles by the power of the devil. Matthew chapter 8, this comes to a head and Jesus tells them who He is…and it makes them even angrier!
How did He do it?
He said this:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
For us, today, we may gloss over this and miss the significance of what He said, but the Jews heard it loud and clear, which is why they picked up stones to throw at Him.
Jesus said, “I Am.”
Why is this significant?
When God was telling Moses to go bring Israel out of Egypt, Moses asked God His name, God responded,
“I AM that I AM.”
So, when Jesus said, “I Am.” the Jews knew exactly what He was saying, “I Am God.” They accused Him of blasphemy, which is why they tried to stone Him.
I Am
John 8 isn’t the only time Jesus says this. Over the past week or so our daily devotions looked at several passages where Jesus used the phrase, “I am the …” (I am the gate, I am the Good Shepherd, etc.). Jesus used the phrase over and over again as a not so subtle hint that He is God.
The fact that Jesus is I AM lets us know that we can trust what He says and that He has the power to accomplish all that He promises. No matter what problems we may face, they aren’t greater than the Great I AM.
Dear Jesus,
All authority in heaven and on earth is Yours. Protect me, guide me, save me, and help me to trust You no matter what.
Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
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