September 17, 2020 -- John 8:58b-59 -- If Jesus IS Who He Says He Is...

“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.

John 8:58b-59 English Standard Version

Interestingly enough, Jesus’ listeners understood the implications of Jesus’ words. The first line of our text today is His declaration He is God—existing before Abraham. He is claiming to be “I AM”, that is the Name God gave Himself in Exodus 3:14—the Self-Existent One. If this were a lie, the people there were doing the correct thing—for such a blasphemy a man ought to be put to death by stoning (Leviticus 24:16).

However, if Jesus truly is Who He says He is, then the correct response is to declare: “My Lord and my King!” As the Son of God, Jesus is worthy of our worship and obedience. He was in the middle of a crowd, teaching. When the people were prepared to kill Him, for their own lack of faith and inability to understand Who He Is, Jesus hid Himself in plain sight.

Understand that Jesus didn’t just hide behind one of the pillars of the temple. Obviously, the crowd would have seen Him. In plain sight He hid Himself and they could not perceive Him either with their physical eyes nor with the eyes of faith. He was in charge of that situation. He would lay down His life for His people, when the time was right and at the moment fixed by His Father in heaven.

How great is the mercy of God. Over and over again Jesus approached His people. Repeatedly He showed them the Father’s patient love. He taught. After three years of public ministry very few followed Him. We learn that on the Day of Pentecost, when the Spirit was poured out, only 120 had gathered. During His public ministry Jesus had fed thousands. He had healed so many people. He taught with authority so that audiences were awed. But only 120 people were prepared to follow Him. It is a huge warning for us today. Now is the day of salvation. Now is the opportunity for us to follow Him. Now is the day to submit to His claim: “Before Abraham was, I AM”!

Spirit of the Living God, help us to do more than merely read the words of the text—let the profound implication of them break over our souls so that we bring honour and praise to Christ our Savior-King. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUZEtVbJT5c