Truth — Week 2 – Friday
TODAY’S VERSE
John 8:56–59
“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. (ESV)
There is something visceral about the ending of John 8. The word visceral refers to our internal organs and the gut-level reaction to something. I think of it as something that comes from our core and our heart.
We’ve spent the week looking at the difference between being a slave to sin and a son of the King. We’ve looked at how religious pedigree can actually blind us to the Truth, and how our intent reveals who we truly belong to. Today’s scripture gets us to a place where things really reach an impasse.
Jesus makes a claim that is similarly foundational to the idea that if you can believe Genesis 1:1, you can believe what follows. Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” (John 8:58). Jesus is claiming the very name of God from the burning bush in Exodus, and, as Scott said on Sunday, this is the moment the crowd finally had enough and were ready to stone Him.
Why was their reaction so visceral? Because “I AM” is an ultimatum. If what Jesus said is true, then He isn’t just a helpful addition, a wise prophet, or a good moral teacher. He’s the center and the source. He’s at the heart of everything, and you can’t just “like” that. He either has total authority over your life, or He is a threat to your control. There’s no room for a middle ground.
We often try to keep Jesus in a box, compartmentalized. Someone we may give part of Sunday to, or turn to when things are too messy for us to control. But that doesn’t fit with I AM. He is the anchor that was there long before our problems started, and still there when they’ve passed. He’s the eternal Son who offers us a seat at His table, permanently.
Because this news is so life-altering, it isn’t something we can just keep to ourselves. If we have truly met Him, it should change how we see the people around us who are still trying to navigate life on their own.
APPLICATION
Think about your one more. Is there someone in your life close to you, but far from God? As we close in on Easter, start praying for an opportunity to invite them to join you. Find your campus’ service times and more details at southland.church/easter.
PRAYER
Jesus, you’re the great I AM. Thank You for being the anchor when everything else feels uncertain. Today I pray for [your one more’s name]. Open their heart to the freedom and truth only You can give. Give me the courage to invite them to see who You really are this Easter.
