I Am
John 8:48-59
Chapter 8 begins with the Scribes and Pharisees wanting Jesus to approve of an adulterous woman being stoned to death. This violation of Roman law would itself be a capital offense. Now, these fellow Jews are ready to stone Jesus, putting themselves at risk of a capital crime. What happened that moved them to this extreme action? Throughout the chapter, Jesus and His fellow Jews interact about what it means to be a child of Abraham. Jesus declares something extraordinary about himself by weaving together revelations made to Abraham and Moses, two of the most important men in Israel’s history.
The Scandal of Jesus’s Declaration
The joy of Abraham in seeing Jesus’ “day”
God’s special name revealed to Moses (Exodus 3:13-15)
The Implications of His Being
Self-existing – no beginning or end, eternal, not created, unchangeable
Self-determining – only own will is followed and not thwarted
Self-sufficient – no needs, not dependent, complete sovereign power
Self-fulfilled – Triune relationship of the fullness of love and joy
Self-glorious – beauty, truth, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, grace
The Meaning for Us
Keeping (abiding in) Jesus’ word
Never see death = all of God blessing us with His fullness
Joy fulfilled by knowing and loving Jesus
