The Great I AM

If you have not picked up on it by now, their are so many OT connections with the Gospels. Tonight are going to focus on some of those, in particular looking at how different people from the OT pointed forward to Christ with their lives. Tonight’s passage also is one where we directly see Jesus claim to be God. Tonight is just one of three times in chapter 8 where Jesus claims to be the I AM, v. 24, 28, and 58. What is significant about 3?

The Great I AM Shall be Honored

I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. -John 8:49

Two words stuck out to me when I read this, honor vs. dishonor.

We need to show Jesus honor, and not dishonor.

Samaritan was accusing Jesus of being a liar. It was to accuse him of being born in immorality. Mary was a Jew so for Jesus to not be a jew she would have to been with someone rather than Joseph. This dishonored Jesus by changing parts of him that they had trouble believing.

To compromise our beliefs on Jesus is to dishonor Him.

They were also dishonoring Jesus by accusing him of being demon possessed. I cannot even begin to imagine how terrified they felt the day they stood before Jesus in eternity and realized what they had done that day.

God is dishonored when we let evil enter His temple (our body).

When we are saved we get the honor of God’s Spirit indwelling us. So often we loose sight of what a great privilege that is. When we choose to sin we show great unappreciative of what God has done for us.

When I think about honor and OT examples I think of the story of Joseph. In particular Genesis 39, which is the story of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife. Joseph was given many reasons to feel God was not with him and against him. His brothers through him in a pit and sold him into slavery. He never got to see family. Did not leave in the town he dreamed of. Did not work the job he dreamed of. Was not surrounded by other Christians. Life went unexpected for him, but he still chose to honor God. From a job perspective he done really well. Joseph then gets tempted into sin no church person would ever know and probably no Egyptian, but God would. And he chose to honor God. honoring God cost him his job and semi-freedom.

Jesus though is the greater Joseph.

Joseph resisted sin. Jesus resisted and crushed and healed sin.

Joseph was imprisoned because of the sin of one. Jesus was crucified because of the sin of all.

Power in the I AM’s Words

if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death -John 8:51

This scripture shows the power of God’s word. What did Jesus mean by this? He was referring to his word bringing eternal life. But the

Pharisees ignored that truth and misunderstood it. Instead of honoring God they dishonored him.

God’s words guides us out of foolish mistakes.

God’s word guides us in eternal life.

The more you stay in the Word the fewer misunderstandings you will have with the word.

When I think of the OT and the power of words I think about Moses and for some reason Exodus 4:10-17 comes to mind.

Exodus 4:10–17 ESV

But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.”

Moses was an intercede and leader for God’s people, but as this shows he got off to a rocky start. But he stayed faithful overall and God used him to do great things.

Moses would intercede for the Israelites. Jesus intercedes for all.

Moses was not gifted in speaking. Jesus gifts the called with what they need to accomplish His purposes.

Moses helped lead a nation out of slavery. Jesus delivers the world out of slavery.

Greater than the Prophets

Throughout this passage we see Jesus and the Jews mention Abraham. The Jews were finding their identity in the man they trace their nation back to. Jesus in this conversation makes it clear he is greater than the man who birthed their nation.

Jesus is the greatest source of identity.

Their are so many different ways earthly identities can fail you and disappoint you.

Abraham left his home land to go to a foreign land. Jesus left heaven to come to earth

Abraham rescues Lot. Jesus rescues mankind

Abraham is willing to sacrifice his son. God sacrifices Jesus

Abraham’s descendants become a nation. Jesus redeems a kingdom of nations