Before Abraham was, I AM

John 8:48–59 (ESV)

The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?”

Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”

The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?”

Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.”

So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “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.

Before Abraham Was, I Am: The Divine Declaration of Jesus

Bible Passage: John 8:48–59

We left last weeks lesson with the chilling statement from Jesus to the Jewish leaders:

“...The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”

Today, as we continue with John 8, we dive deeper into his profound declaration and its implications.

In this passage, Jesus continues His rebuke of the Jewish leaders, who have now, accused Him of being a Demon or a Samaritan.

In their eyes, I’m not sure which was worse.

His crime?

By asserting, with conviction, His Divine Identity

By claiming a Unity with God the Father- A unity the Jewish leaders clearly did not have themselves.

And Finally- The declaration that, “Before Abraham was- I AM

Reaffirming His eternal Existence and Deity

This passage brings emphasis to the Divinity of Christ and what that means for Believers today.

It illuminates how Jesus’ identity should shape our understanding of God and our personal relationship with Him.

It also serves to remind us that ALL of Scripture, both in the OT and the NT, points to Jesus Christ as the central figure in God’s plan of redemption and Salvation for all of mankind.

1- Defamation of the Divine

John 8:48–51 (ESV)

The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?”

Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”

It is clear that the Temple leaders have totally lost control of the situation. Everything they accuse Jesus of has no basis in reality.

While these accusations seem heavy, they reveal something even deeper about Jesus’ identity..."

None of His teaching, Healing or personal interactions with the people comes close to being any kind of demonic in nature.

We have already discussed, at length, the hatred and distrust the Jews, in general, and the Jewish religious leaders, felt about the Samaritans.

The charge of being either a demon or a Samaritan, is the worst insult they could hurl at Jesus.

What could they be so afraid of?

Jesus has offered a life of peace and contentment- No matter what the circumstances are.

Jesus has offered a life not weighted down by the oppression and guilt of sin.

Ultimately Jesus offers them a life beyond this life- Life Eternal by partaking of Him- the Living Water and the Bread of Life.

And all He asks is our Faith in Him.

To truly understand the magnitude of Jesus’ offer...

Imagine a weary traveler lost in the desert, desperately searching for water. Suddenly, he encounters a fountain, the source of life.

Just as that traveler finds hope and purpose in the water, we find our true fulfillment when we encounter Jesus, the Great I AM.

Jesus embodies everything we need: 'I AM the Good Shepherd,' guiding us; 'I AM the Resurrection and the Life,' offering eternal hope. His presence in our lives quenches our spiritual thirst, reminding us that in Him, we find completeness and restoration.

So, what are the temple leaders of Jesus day so afraid of with this Jesus?

Could it be that He has already proven that He is God Incarnate, but they cannot bring themselves to admit it, to accept it- For it would mean the surrendering of all the accumulated power, and prestige they have worked so hard to attain?

Could this be why Jesus is so harsh with them?

Could it be that Jesus knows that they know. He is Divine, after all!

With these accusations dismissed, Jesus turns the conversation toward understanding true spiritual identity.

2- Disbelief Distorting Truth

John 8:52–55 (ESV)

The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?”

Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word.

The total extreme example of how the Leaders completely miss the mark

This entire time, Jesus has been speaking of the Spiritual existence of man and the Jewish leaders are stuck trying to hold Him to the physical nature of man.

By saying that, since they know that Abraham and the Prophets all died- Jesus is now making Himself greater than Abraham or the Prophets.

Even while the Priests and Rabbi’s respond in indignation, and anger...

Jesus answers in a calm, re affirming tone. Bold, but Firm.

Showing Humility, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing...” Jesus was not doing anything of His own choosing or His own selfish ambitions.

“It is my Father who glorifies me, of who, you say, “He is our God”

The perfect example of how we should respond to the accolades and the critiques of humanity. Neither the praise of Man or the ridicule of Man should sway us one way or another-

It is not the approval of man that Jesus sought then, nor should it be or goal today. Man’s approval or disdain is nothing compared to the Eternal approval of God the Father.

Living in the transforming power of Salvation and Redemption of our souls from sin is beyond comparison of anything humanity can reward us with.

3- Eternal Existence- Explained

John 8:56–59 (ESV)

Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?”

Jesus said to them, “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.

In the midst of turmoil, consider the story of the Israelites in Egypt; they cried out for deliverance. God responded with His promise, 'I AM who I AM.'

Years later, Jesus also hears our cries and responds with His identity, saying 'I AM.' As the Good Shepherd, He leads us through our trials.

Each ‘I AM’ statement reveals how He meets our deepest needs. Feeling lost, weary, or alone? Remember that Jesus stands ready, affirming His eternal presence in a world filled with uncertainty, reminding us that He is everything we need.

Jesus did not slink away into the shadows in fear, but because the time had not yet come- There was more work to be done.

John 10:18 (ESV)

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

In the book of Isaiah, God declares, 'I AM the First and the Last.' When Jesus, in the Gospels, claims 'I AM,' He isn’t merely making a statement of existence but proclaiming His divine authority and identity.

This rich biblical history culminates in Jesus, who reassures us that He has always been and will always be.

In what ways do we sometimes focus on the physical aspects of life and miss the spiritual truths Jesus is conveying, like the Jewish leaders did?

As we navigate the chaos of life, recognizing Jesus as the Great I AM provides unparalleled peace, knowing that He encompasses our past, present, and future with His unchanging love and grace.

What the Jewish leaders miss, and a large portion of the crowd miss as well, is the direct correlation Jesus is making between Himself and the Eternal God, they claim to worship and stand on for all their beliefs.

Yet the known facts about this man before them, blocks them from seeing the connection.

In their minds, because Jesus was born of a human mother, raised as a normal child and progressing into manhood, just as any other man would do...

None of this conformed to any of what they imagined what their Messiah would look or act like.

So, what does Jesus’ eternal declaration mean for us today? Let’s unravel this...

We must be able to get our heart, soul and minds in tune with one question:

In what ways might we be guilty of trying to fit Jesus into our own expectations or standards, rather than accepting Him as He truly is?

Jesus did not come as the Jewish Messiah, or die on the Cross of Calvary to conform to meet some arbitrary standard of mankind.

He came as God chose Him to come, WHEN God chose Him to come and FOR those that God to impact.

He is the Great I AM, and we need to see Him clearly for Who He truly is- God the Son- With God the Father, before time began- Through of the existence of time- And will continue to be the Great I AM, long after time, as we know it, has ended.

And He deserves our daily praise and worship, throughout time immortal.

The invitation stands. Jesus, the source of living water, the bread of life, the good shepherd, reaches out to each of us.

He offers not just religious rules or moral guidelines, but Himself – the eternal, all-sufficient "I Am."

In a world thirsting for hope, meaning, and genuine love, may we drink deeply from this eternal fountain.

May we allow the great "I Am" to transform our lives, quench our deepest longings, and lead us into the fullness of life He promises.