Today’s Reading: John 8:48-59
Hearing God’s Voice for Today:
“‘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.”
* * * * *
These words are among the most significant Jesus ever spoke. He told the Jews that Abraham rejoiced to see his day. The Father had promised Abraham that, through his son Isaac, all the nations would be blessed. Abraham had a joyful confidence that promise would come true.
Christ’s death and resurrection unleashed the blessing of salvation upon all the nations, thus fulfilling the promise. During his life, Abraham looked forward to the day when this promise would be fulfilled. In heaven, he finally saw it fully realized.
The Jews still didn’t understand. They objected loudly to this teaching, saying Jesus was not yet fifty years old and Abraham had lived a thousand-plus years earlier. How could Jesus have known him?
That’s when Jesus made his clear claim to deity. There was no mistake about what he was saying. He claimed to have lived before Abraham. He existed in eternity before Abraham was ever conceived. He claimed transcendence over time—something only God could claim.
In Exodus 3:14, God gave Moses his name: “I am who I am.” By saying, “Before Abraham existed, I am,” Jesus was claiming not only to be eternal, but the very God who appeared to Moses and told him his name.
The Jews had no doubt about what Jesus was saying. They “picked up stones” to kill him for blasphemy—the prescribed Old Testament punishment for false teaching. But he escaped, for his time for death had not yet come.
How will you respond to Jesus’ claim to deity? The Jews understood his claim and wanted him eliminated. Is this your response? Not to make a decision about him is to make a decision. You are either on his side or against him. There is no neutrality when it comes to following him.
When you believe in Jesus and decide to follow him, you acknowledge he is the great I am. He is not the great I was. Your past has been forgiven. He is not the great I will be—though he perfectly oversees your future. He is the great I am.
Whatever you are facing today is where he will be. He is your present help in all times of trouble. He is your sufficiency this moment. He is with you today—and all days. He asks that you have faith in him for today’s worries alone. Tomorrow has enough worries of its own. He knows the price of five sparrows—two copper coins. Yet he doesn’t forget a single one of them when they fall to the ground. You are more valuable than sparrows. He knows the number of hairs on your head. He knows you intimately as well.
Believe it’s true.
Because it is.
[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]