JESUS: I AM! JN 8:21-59
Background: 1-12: Adulteress not condemned
13-20: Jesus is condemned by religious leaders
Carnal v Spiritual; Biology v Theology; Fallacy v Fact;
Tradition v Truth; Temporal v Timeless Rage v Righteousness
I CARNAL vs SPIRITUAL (24-27)
24 Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."
25 Then they said to Him, "Who are You?" And Jesus said to them, "Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning.
26 I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him."
27 They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
Carnal: So steeped in self-righteousness they hated Him
Spiritual: So loved the world he was going to die even for them
II BIOLOGY vs THEOLOGY (31-33)
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
33 They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say, 'You will be made free'?"
Biology: Failed to see the Promised One Abraham saw
Theology: Abraham, whom they adored, had been dead for centuries. The Eternal One that first called Abraham stood before them
III FALLACY vs FACT (36-40)
36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
37 "I know that you are Abraham's descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you.
38 I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father."
39 They answered and said to Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham.
40 But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this.
Fallacy: These religious leaders were doing the work of the devil by wanting to kill Jesus
Fact: Jesus was doing His Father’s will by wanting to bring life to all mankind – even them
IV TRADITION vs TRUTH (42-43, 47)
42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.
43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.
47 He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God."
Tradition: These religious leaders were so steeped in tradition and rituals they were unable to see the Truth of God
Truth: Truth abides. It doesn’t change with the times. Jesus is THE Way, THE Truth, THE Life
V TEMPORAL vs TIMELESS (55-58)
55 Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.
56* Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
57* Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
58* Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Temporal: These men could only think in present time while professing to know all the answers.
Timeless: Jesus transcended eons of time since He plainly stated “I AM”
VI RAGE vs RIGHTEOUSNESS (59)
59* Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
Rage: Doing the work of Satan, these religious leaders wanted to kill, but couldn’t
Righteousness: Doing the will of His Father, Jesus had the power to kill, but didn’t
WHOM DO YOU SAY I AM?
That is the question Jesus posed to His disciples in Matthew 16:13
His disciples believed whom He claimed to be
The religious leaders didn’t and lost all
BUT!
Today the question is directed toward us
WHOM DO WE SAY JESUS IS?
WHAT ARE WE DOING WITH HIM?