JOHN 8:48–59
Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM”
(John 8:58).
The tension between Jesus and the Pharisees in this conversation has been escalating from the very first word spoken. Hostility has been simmering until it finally boils over into rage, accusation, hatred, and a profound revelation.
The Pharisees, unable to tolerate Jesus’ teaching any longer, call him a Samaritan and a man possessed by a demon. The Samaritan accusation was particularly insulting because the Jews considered Samaritans to be the most base of human life. The accusation of Jesus being demon-possessed is, of course, extremely offensive because they were talking about the Son of God. At other times when the Pharisees made this accusation, Jesus warned them that they were very close to committing the unforgivable sin.
As the conversation develops, this name-calling becomes much more vehement, and the Pharisees become more and more enraged. This rage reaches a height of fury when Jesus pronounces that not only is He greater than Abraham (a point of conflict between the Pharisees and Him), but He is transcendent above all, that He is the I am, that He is God Himself.
Jesus’ statement in verse 58, “I say to you, before Abraham was. I Am,” reveals the preexistence of the Son and His divine nature. The Pharisees only saw the historical or physical manifestation, but they failed to apprehend the eternal person. Jesus, here reaffirms His eternal, timeless, and absolute essence. Abraham and the other prophets had a fleeting span of life, but the Son of God has existed from all eternity. Jesus’ claim here goes against anyone who maintains that He was merely human, or that the Son of God was created, an emanation of the Father. Jesus puts that controversy to rest: He is “I Am,” the essence of being, infinite and eternal.
The Pharisees understood this claim all too well, and instead of confessing Christ as Peter and the other disciples had done, they picked up stones to execute Jesus on the spot. Levitical law required all blasphemers to be stoned to death. Thus, the Pharisees decided that Jesus must surely die. The events that would eventually take Christ to the cross were set in motion by the hands of those who claimed to be servants of God.
CORAM DEO
2 Chronicles 20–22
John 16
WEEKEND
2 Chronicles 23–28
John 17
Read the verses below. What claims did Jesus make? Why was He put to death? When Jesus said to the Jews, “I Am,” what Old Testament account would have come to their minds? If Jesus was not what He claimed to be, could He be a great teacher or good man? Meditate on these passages and praise Christ your God
For further study: Ex. 3:13–14 • Mic. 5:2–5 • Luke 22:66–71 • Rev. 1:4–8
WEEKEND