I AM: Discovering the Nature of Jesus!
Thursday, March 4, 2004
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, throughout the week as I have studied the details of Jesus’ interaction with the Jews regarding His being “I Am,” it becomes clearer and clearer that Satan does not want us to believe that reality. He will do anything He can to keep people from knowing Jesus as Savior and Lord, because He loses us when that happens. I pray that you will bind the work of Satan in my life, the life of my family and my church family today. I pray that You will so fill me with the Holy Spirit that wherever I am, I may bring glory and honor to You, that my “light” will shine as it reflects from Jesus, and lights the way for others. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God's Word Today
John 8:12, 48-59
12Jesus said to the people, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
48The people retorted, “You Samaritan devil! Didn’t we say all along that you were possessed by a demon?”
49“No,” Jesus said, “I have no demon in me. For I honor my Father—and you dishonor me. 50And though I have no wish to glorify myself, God wants to glorify me. Let him be the judge. 51I assure you, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!”
52The people said, “Now we know you are possessed by a demon. Even Abraham and the prophets died, but you say that those who obey your teaching will never die! 53Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? Are you greater than the prophets, who died? Who do you think you are?”
54Jesus answered, “If I am merely boasting about myself, it doesn’t count. But it is my Father who says these glorious things about me. You say, ‘He is our God,’ 55but you do not even know him. I know him. If I said otherwise, I would be as great a liar as you! But it is true—I know him and obey him. 56Your ancestor Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.”
57The people said, “You aren’t even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?”
58Jesus answered, “The truth is, I existed before Abraham was even born!” 59At that point they picked up stones to kill him. But Jesus hid himself from them and left the Temple.
Reflecting on God's Word
What significance is there for you in knowing that Jesus existed before Abraham?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
What did the Israelites assume about Jesus after He said that they were children of the Devil? (8:48)
How did Jesus respond to this accusation? (8:49-59)
Understanding God's Purpose
Why do you think that Jesus chose to be so adversarial with the people in today’s exchange?
What is the significance of Jesus’ hiding Himself from the people in the temple and leaving?
Applying God's Word to Our Lives
What is the practical application of today’s reading to your life right now?
Thoughts... I Existed Before Abraham...
In today’s reading Jesus makes the bold statement that He existed before Abraham was born. The people couldn’t believe it, because they knew that Abraham had lived thousands of years before, and Jesus was in their words, “less than fifty years old.” Jesus’ statement seemed ludicrous to the people. They thought He was a liar, a lunatic, and a demon-possessed maniac all rolled into one. What they failed to do, though, was examine the evidence. They were unwilling to “think outside the box” as we would put it in our day. They held certain preconceived notions about the Messiah, about the limitation of space and time (which most of us hold as well!) and they could not imagine that Jesus was who He said He was. The same options are before us today, friends. We can look at the evidence for who Jesus is, and deny or dismiss it, but if we are reasonable people, we will have to admit that the evidence for Jesus being who He claimed to be is substantial. Many folks think that Christians are long on faith and short on facts. In reality it is those who live as atheists who are long on faith and short of facts! The evidence for Jesus being the Light of the World is so extensive that we can be confident of its truth today!
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