A Favorite Bible Verse

IAM

A Favorite Bible Verse

John 8:58. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”
 
This is one of my favorite Bible verses. I always get a thrill when I read this story. The Pharisees had been hounding Jesus, plying Him with questions, and trying to trap Him in His words. Yet when He spoke the truth they refused to believe and continued to twist what He was saying.
There are three reasons why I love this verse:
1. Jesus nails the Pharisees with their unbelief: Jesus had just rebuked these so-called religious men by calling them children of the devil. He told them that those who belong to God hear what God says and that the reason that they did not hear was because they did not belong to God.
2. Jesus names Himself clearly: The unbelieving Jews tried to turn the tables by retorting, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?” Jesus again patiently replied that He was not possessed by a demon but was honoring God His Father. He stated, “If anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”
The Jews thought that they had Jesus now. “How can those who keep God’s word never see death? Abraham and the prophets have all died and they were God’s servants.” But Jesus replied that God was His Father and Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing His day. When questioned by the critics as to how He could possibly know Abraham when He was less than 50 years old, Jesus replied, with my favorite verse. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I AM!”
 
“I AM” clearly stated to these unbelieving men that He was God. He existed even before Abraham was born. He did not have a beginning but was eternal. These were the words that God used to reveal Himself to Moses in Exodus 3:14 when he was standing at the burning bush. Moses asked the voice in the firey shrub, “Who shall I tell the Israelites has sent me?” God replied, “I AM WHO I AM.” There was no doubt in these angry men’s minds that Jesus had just claimed to be God.
3. Jesus notches up the aggression: After Jesus said these words, the irate Jews picked up jagged rocks to stone Him but Jesus hid Himself and slipped away from the temple grounds. Jesus was deliberately turning up the heat because God’s plan was for Him to die at the hands of these angry men. Yet it was still not the right time for His death, so He slipped away unharmed.
Don’t you just love Jesus’ wisdom in dealing with these conniving men? They are never able to outwit or stump Him. Isn’t it thrilling when He reveals Himself so boldly by pointing out that before their hero, Abraham, was ever born He existed? Are you not blessed to know that Jesus, the Son of God, was willing to endure all of this persecution for the purpose of dying for your sins?
That is why this is one of my favorite Bible verses!

Love,

Mama

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Hi, I'm Sandy! 

I write inspirational letters based on the Bible that share words of hope, encouragement, truth, and healing to my children and anyone else who longs for a mama's touch.

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