John 8:48-59 Now, About Abraham....

The Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes began personal attacks on Jesus.  They actually called Him a Samaritan, which was the grossest of insults, my commentary said.  Samaritans were thought of as half-breeds, and the "racist" cries from today were totally missing back then!

After again telling them unbelief in Him would result in spiritual death, He invited them to trust Him and again they missed the whole idea.  "Abraham was dead, yet he was a godly man, and the faithful prophets were also dead.  This kind of talk only convinced them the more that He had a demon," my commentary said.

Jesus claimed to be Lord over death, which was the same as claiming to be God.  God had bestowed that honor on Him.  "Abraham (whom they claimed as their father) saw Jesus' day coming and rejoiced!  Instead of rejoicing, they were revolting and trying to kill Him!"  

Jesus' statement in John 8:58 is, "Before Abraham came into being, I AM."  The Jewish leaders heard the "I Am" and knew He was again claiming to be God.  They cried "Blasphemy!" and wanted to kill Him.  Because it was not yet His time, Jesus was able to walk away, divinely protected."

"The most difficult people to win to the Savior are those who do not realize that they have a need.  They are under the condemnation of God yet they trust they religion to save them."

Father, it's so incredible that men who had studied Your Word letter-by-letter missed this!  Help me to hear all that You say and believe every word.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford