Bible Verse of the Day – Before Abraham Came To Be, I AM – John 8:51-59.
Today’s reading of this passage emphasizes Jesus’ divine nature and his fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham.
It also highlights the Jews’ lack of understanding and knowledge of God, which leads them to reject Jesus and ultimately try to kill him.
The Bible Verse of today is derived from John 8:51-59. Welcome.
Today’s Teaching About Jesus and Abraham
In John 8:51-59, Jesus is engaged in a dialogue with the Jewish leaders who were challenging his authority and questioning his claims. In this passage, Jesus makes several important teachings that are salient and relevant to our lives today. Here are some of them:
Jesus teaches that belief in him is the key to eternal life. He says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death” (v. 51).
Jesus is claiming that he has the power to give eternal life to those who believe in him and follow his teachings.
Jesus teaches that he is one with the Father. When the Jewish leaders ask him who he is, Jesus responds, “Before Abraham was, I am” (v. 58).
This is a reference to the divine name “I am” that God revealed to Moses in the Old Testament (Exodus 3:14). Jesus is asserting his divinity and his unity with the Father.
Jesus teaches that those who reject him are under the power of sin and death. He says, “If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death” (v. 51). This implies that those who do not keep his word are under the power of sin and death.
Jesus teaches that he existed before Abraham. This assertion indicates that Jesus is not merely a human being, but a divine being who existed before his earthly incarnation.
When Jesus mentions Abraham, he says that Abraham rejoiced to see his day and saw it and was glad.
This is a reference to the promise that God made to Abraham in Genesis 12:3, that through him all nations of the earth would be blessed.
Jesus is saying that he is the fulfillment of that promise, and that Abraham looked forward to his coming.
Overall, this passage emphasizes Jesus’ divine nature and his fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham. It also highlights the Jews’ lack of understanding and knowledge of God, which leads them to reject Jesus and ultimately try to kill him.
It also warns against the dangers of rejecting him and remaining under the power of sin and death.
Short Play About “Before Abraham Came To Be, I AM”
Title: Before Abraham Came To Be, I AM
Characters:
- Jesus
- Jews (Pharisees and scribes)
- Disciples
- Crowd
Setting: The Temple, Jerusalem
Act 1, Scene 1:
(Jesus is teaching in the Temple. The Jews are gathered around him, listening intently. The disciples are standing by his side.)
Jesus: “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Jew 1: “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”
Jesus: “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
Jew 2: “I know you are Abraham’s descendants, yet you are trying to kill me, because you have no room for my word.”
Jesus: “I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.”
Jew 3: “Abraham is our father.”
Jesus: “If you were Abraham’s children, then you would do what Abraham did. As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the works of your own father.”
Jew 4: “We are not illegitimate children. The only Father we have is God himself.”
Jesus: “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
Jew 5: “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?”
Jesus: “I am not possessed by 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. Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.”
Act 1, Scene 2:
(JESUS continues to speak to the crowd as the JEWISH LEADERS look on.)
Jesus: I am telling you the truth. Whoever keeps my word will never see death.
Crowd: (murmuring among themselves) How can this be? Abraham and the prophets all died.
Jesus: If I were to glorify myself, my glory would mean nothing. It’s my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, “He is our God.” Yet you don’t know Him.
Jewish Leader 1: We’re not talking about you being glorified. We’re talking about you claiming to be God!
Jesus: Is it not written in your Law, “I have said you are gods?” If those to whom the word of God came are called “gods” – and the Scripture can’t be broken – what about the one whom the Father set apart as His very own and sent into the world?
Jewish Leader 2: Blasphemy! You’re claiming to be God!
Jesus: Don’t you believe me when I say that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me? Or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.
Crowd: (whispering among themselves) He does perform miracles.
Jesus: Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
… To be continued …
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