The man
I AM
Who do you make yourself out to be?
I AM.
John 8:31-59 · Exodus 3:13-14 · Isaiah 43:10-13
The scene
Jesus had been arguing with people in the temple for a while.
They claimed Abraham as their father. Jesus told them that Abraham hadn't tried to kill someone for telling him the truth. They were trying to kill Jesus.
Then he told them:
"You are of your father, the devil."John 8:44
They answered:
"Don't we say well that you are a Samaritan, and have a demon?"John 8:48
Jesus denied having a demon. Then he said:
"Most certainly, I tell you, if a person keeps my word, he will never see death."John 8:51
They answered:
"Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, as did the prophets; and you say, 'If a man keeps my word, he will never taste of death.'"John 8:52
"Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?"John 8:53
Jesus told them:
"Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it and was glad."John 8:56
They answered:
"You are not yet fifty years old! Have you seen Abraham?"John 8:57
Jesus said:
"Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM."John 8:58
Long before this, Moses had asked God what he should tell the Israelites when they asked for his name.
God answered:
"I AM WHO I AM."Exodus 3:14
Then he told Moses:
"You shall tell the children of Israel this: 'I AM has sent me to you.'"Exodus 3:14
Through Isaiah, God said:
"Before me there was no God formed, neither will there be after me."Isaiah 43:10
"I myself am Yahweh. Besides me, there is no savior."Isaiah 43:11
Now back to John:
"Therefore they took up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple, having gone through the middle of them, and so passed by."John 8:59
The point
I AM.John 8:58
Sit with this
Who do you make him out to be?