As we continue our study of the Gospel of John, we pick up at verse 48 of Chapter 8. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle writes:
“The Jews answered Him, ‘Aren’t we right in saying that You are a Samaritan and demon possessed?’ ‘I am not possessed by a demon,’ said Jesus, ‘but I honor my Father and you dishonor Me. I am not seeking glory for myself, but there is One who seeks it, and He is the judge. Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.’ At this they exclaimed, ‘Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. Are You greater than our father Abraham? He died and so did the prophets. Who do you think You are?’
Jesus replied, ‘If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God is the one who glorifies Me. Though you do not know Him, I know Him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know Him and obey His word. Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it, and was glad.’
‘You are not fifty years old,’ they said to Him, ‘and you have seen Abraham!’ ‘Very truly I tell you,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I AM.!’
At this, they picked up stones to stone Him, but Jesus hid Himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.” (John 8: 47-59)
They were at the Festival of Tabernacles. It was the last day. This debate with the Jewish Leaders had been going on for a while, and Jesus had been trying to tell them who He was. They hated Him before He got to this Festival because of the way the people were drawn to Him by His miracles, and message, and because He had healed someone on the Sabbath, so they would not listen. He had told them He was Messiah, sent by God, that He was the Light of the World and could lead them out of darkness,, that if they believed in Him that living water, the Holy Spirit, would flow within them, that His words were filled with Spirit and life, that He was Truth, and the Truth would set them free from sin, that He and the Father were One, that the Father, the great I AM was in Him, and now He is telling them He is Eternal. That before Abraham was born, He was. He is God. Instead of rejoicing, they tried to kill Him for blasphemy.
What would our response have been? Would we have judged His words to be false and blasphemous, or would we have believed and accepted them, and rejoiced that Truth, the great I AM Himself, was standing before us offering us freedom from sin, and darkness, and eternal life with Him?
Perhaps we could know somewhat, if we ask Him to reveal to us how we respond to His words today. Do we believe and accept His claims? Do we truly want to receive all that He is? Do we walk in His Light. Have we given all that we are to Him allowing us to be filled with His Spirit. Are we at peace knowing that life, eternal life, is ours in Him? Do we rejoice every day as we walk in these truths. Do we let living water, the Holy Spirit, flow from within and give life to others through giving love to those in our lives? May we say Yes to His Word, and all that He is, and yes to who we truly are because of Him. He is Love. In Him, We are Love. He is the I AM. In Him, so are We.
Have a wonderful day, blessed in all things and in all ways, God’s Beloveds. You are greatly unconditionally loved.