Oh yes, it has been quite a long time. I do apologize for that, but I have something very exciting to write about. It is John 8:48-59. Let me just write it out for you and then we can talk about how exciting it is.
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. I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death."
At this the Jews exclaimed, "Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that if anyone keeps your word, he 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 did 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 keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad."
"You are not yet fifty years old," the Jews said to him, "and you have seen Abraham!"
"I tell you the truth," 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.
Isn't that amazing? These Jews are trying to find the hole in what they thought was Jesus' facade. They were clearly mistaken. In verse 54 Jesus is not taking any more of this. He tells them how it is. Look at him telling them that they don't know his Father, and they are liars. He isn't going to lie to them. They are the liars. They won't like what he has to say, but he's JESUS. He can tell them how it is. He could have done much more than this, but he knew the proper place and time for all of it. Then he says "before Abraham was born, I am!" I love that! "I am!" He is over all, and through all, and in all. He was, and is, and is to come. He sees Abraham and he sees me. Now that I'm putting all of this into writing its really hard to explain what I feel about it. It just makes me want to cheer for Jesus. "You tell 'em, Jesus! Don't let them say that to you!" Its terribly difficult to put into words, but I trust that the Lord will come close to you as you read this and show you what you need to see.
