This is the last of the “I AM” statements that Jesus made in John 8:58, “Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” He makes the stark contrast between Abraham and himself. Jesus contrasts the difference between him and Abraham. Jesus says, “Abraham ‘was’, but ‘I am’”. Abraham lived but was not living at the moment. Certainly, the Jewish people would have understood the contrast. Jesus is stating that he is God. Claiming to be God was a bold claim. The Jewish people would not have misunderstood. Many would have taken it as blasphemy. They would have known that God told Moses in Exodus 3:14, “God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
BibleRef.com explains it this way, “Jesus has just explained that being part of God’s family is a spiritual matter, not a question of genealogy. The Jewish religious leaders who seek to kill Him (John 5:18) are descended from Abraham. But they are not true “sons” of Abraham because they do not accept the One sent by God (John 6:29). To support this, Jesus used the analogy of a household servant who lives in the home and knows “about” the master but who has no real rights to the house. A true son, on the other hand, has a permanent relationship (John 8:35). Spiritually, this is the case with those who are in Abraham’s family tree but do not follow God. Since they do not do what Abraham did—obey God—they cannot be “true sons” of God the Father.”
Much of John chapter 8 helps us understand the final statement. Jesus was addressing the topic of the truth setting them free in John 8:31-38, “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”
The Jewish people would have known the stories of the enslavery of their ancestors. Then the Jews reminded them that they were from Abraham’s family. Can you imagine telling Jesus who you are like he wouldn’t know? They really missed the message Jesus was trying to give them. The Jews were showing their pride in their heritage. However, Jesus was quick to point out that they lacked Abraham’s character. In John 8:39-40 it states, “They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, 40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did.” I am in awe of the many responses Jesus made.
People do not realize the way that sin enslaves us. We read in John 8:34, “Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.” Paul aluded to it in Romans 7 when he said, “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. … For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.” Romans 7:15, 18-19.
Let’s look at the passages before this “I am” statement. John 8:39-59, “They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father–even God.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” 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.
The more Jesus talks, the more the Jewish crowd becomes agitated. Jesus ends the argument with verse 58, “Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.””
Gotquestions.org puts it this way, “Here, Jesus is not simply saying that He is older than Abraham. This is not just a claim to pre-existence before birth. He does not say, “Before Abraham was, I was” or “I was there before Abraham.” Jesus uses a particular formulation that is God’s name in the Old Testament as revealed to Moses at the burning bush. Moses asked God for His name in case the Israelites inquired who had sent him. God replied, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you’” (Exodus 3:14).
“The significance and the perceived audacity of Jesus’ proclamation can be found in the response of the people who heard Him say it: “At this, they picked up stones to stone him” (John 8:59). From their response, we can see that they considered Jesus’ statement to be blasphemy.”
Jesus did not back down from his comments. He knew the meaning and the implications of all these statements. We can be assured of one thing–God is on the throne and Jesus is at his right hand. He will return and the world will finally see that Jesus is Lord!
Other I Am Statements:
I Am the Resurrection and the Life
I Am the way, the Truth, and the Life
I Am the way, the Truth, and the Life
Image taken from https://www.freebibleimages.org/photos/lumo-stoning-threat/
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