“Jesus The ‘I AM!'”(Jn.8:46-59))
The Pharisees challenged Jesus for appearing as his own witness. It all started when Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life”(Jn.8:12). As Jesus was explaining himself, this led to further questionings.
When the Jews told him they were descendants of Abraham and had never been slaves to anybody, he told them, “Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” The Jews retorted, “You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham!”
Jesus answered them with what according to them was the highmark of blasphemy! He told them, “Before Abraham was born, I am!” No doubt that when he said this, “they picked up stones to stone him” but he wiggled his way away from the temple grounds.
The law stated that “anyone who blasphemes the name of the LORD must be put to death. The entire assembly must stone him…”(Lev.24:16).
We recall that Jesus did not say, “Before Abraham was born, I was.” He said “Before Abraham was born I am!”
The “I Am” words of Jesus was a blasphemy on the name of the LORD. In the burning bush Moses asked God the name he should tell the Israelites in case they asked who sent him? God told him, “‘I AM WHO I AM.’ This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I Am has sent me to you.'”
This is the name by which God wished to be known and worshipped by Israel. This name expresses God’s character as the dependable God who desires the full worship of his people.
God told Isaac, “I will be with you…”(Gen.26:3). He also told Moses, “I will be with you.,.”(Ex.3:12). This assurance appears many times in Scriptures, as a constant reminder of the oath which God swore to Abraham that he will grant unto his children. The Hebrew word translated “I will be” is the same as the one translated “I AM.”
When Jesus says, “I Am,” he isn’t blaspheming. He is affirming that he was there in the beginning. He is Immanuel – God with us. He is Yeshua – God saves! He is the God who is always there.
He gives you and I this assurance, “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world”(Jn.9:5). The old rhyme states, “God is always near me…” He is the God far away, but he is the ever present and all-knowing powerful God. He has saved us and is always with us. Let us come before him as living sacrifices acceptable in his eyes.
Weekend prayer: Lord Jesus Christ thank you for your constant presence with us. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.