John 8:48-59 Before Abraham Was, I AM

The Gospel Of John

In Jerusalem, early in the month of April AD 33, the Jews were celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles and Jewish leaders were plotting to arrest Jesus, then put Him on trial for blasphemy.

But Jesus confronted the Jews when He revealed to them He was indeed of God, and by their choice to deny this truth meant they were themselves not of Him, the Father who sent His Son to be the promised Messiah and Savior of man.

“48 Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?”” (John 8:48)

Because they could find no fault in Him, the Jews resorted to a label to single out Jesus, calling Him a “Samaritan,” sworn enemies of the Israelites and went as far as claiming He was possessed by a demon, since they could not explain how He was able to heal so many as well as turning water into wine and even feeding a multitude with only a few loaves of bread and two fish.

“49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. 50 And I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and judges. 51 Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.”” (John 8:49-51)

Jesus denied He was possessed, then He rebuked the Jews when He told them they were dishonoring God by doubting Him for doing God’s work, and answering His calling to be the Savior of man.

“52 Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.’ 53 Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?”” (John 8:52-53)

The Jews did not understand that Jesus was speaking of spiritual afterlife which is found in Heaven, where God has a place secured for all His children.

“54 Jesus answered, “If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God. 55 Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.”” (John 8:54-56)

Jesus did not come to bring glory to Himself, rather He came to die on the cross as the sacrificial Lamb of God. The Jews denied this and by doing so, they took up arms against God and just as Jesus claimed, through their denial of Him they sided with the enemy against God and Jesus.

“57 Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?”” (John 8:57)

Next, Jesus revealed to the Jewish leaders how He did indeed know Abraham, in spite of the fact the patriarch died long before Jesus was born. The fact is Jesus knew Abraham spiritually, and it was Him who ruled over the Jewish father rather than the other way around.

“58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”” (John 8:58)

Once again, Jesus using convincing words to reveal who He is, and that He was God before Abraham was born. Jesus was in Heaven with God when Abraham was given his first breath, and He was in Heaven when Abraham was welcomed to his eternal resting place.

“59 Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.” (John 8:59)

Once again, the Jews choose to deny the truth and in this instance, they turned to violence to silence Jesus. But, it was not yet the Lord’s time to die, so He hid Himself from them and fled the scene without a single stone being thrown.

When you think of Jesus, are you like Abraham or the Jewish skeptics? When you pray to the Savior, are you filled with joy like Abraham or is your heart dwelling in anger and frustration, like the Jews?

God is love, and in our faith in His Son, Jesus, we find that God is also joy… Let’s pray!

Father God;
We thank you for your blessings in our lives,
We praise you Lord for the wisdom found through the gospel of John,
We ask you Lord to inspire us to live out the apostle’s writings
As we continue to learn more about you through your word.

Lord we ask you to strengthen us each day as we endure through battles,
Allow us to praise and love each other through faith in you Jesus,
Shield us from evil through the truth, the gospel, salvation and prayer,
Guide us to abide by your word as we spread your gospel to one and all
Becoming examples of Christian faith through our character as we walk the narrow path.

God we pray that you will continue to bless us, to bless our lives and fill us with hope
We ask you Lord to guide our footsteps and lead us to the way everlasting,
Through faith in you Lord we seek salvation and our place with you in Heaven
According to your ways, your everlasting wisdom and strength.

May your will be done
In our lives, for your life.

We thank you for your love and all you bless us with each day.

Praise God,
Amen!

This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: danielstpierre@thrivethroughchrist.com

Posted in Bible Studies and tagged , , , , , , .

Daniel St.Pierre

Daniel St.Pierre is a born again child of God. A Canadian immigrant to the United States, Daniel considers himself "blessed to be a blessing" as the ministry he leads continues to reach thousands of souls each month, on a global scale since 2003.