Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

Jesus pushes the envelope

Thursday, March 13, 2008

John 8:51-59
Jesus said to the Jews: "I tell you the truth, whoever keeps my word will never see death."

So the Jews said to him, "Now we are sure that you are possessed." ... Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, 'Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.' Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? Or the prophets, who died? Who do you make yourself out to be?"

... Jesus answered, "Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad."

So the Jews said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?"

Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, before Abraham came to be, I AM."

So they picked up stones to throw at him.

Is there life after death? Jesus assures us there is. He knows about these things; he's talked to Abraham. We have a glimpse of one of those conversations in what is usually called the "transfiguration," documented in Matthew 17, Mark 9 and Luke 9.

But not only has he talked to Abraham; he says he is Abraham's elder. How difficult this must have been for religious people who knew the Scriptures. Jesus seemed to be mocking history, putting himself above it all and finally, naming himself with the "I AM" phrase, which was the name ancient Hebrews used for God.

No wonder Josh McDowell said that if we don't acknowledge Jesus is God, then he's more a liar and lunatic than a "good man" who renewed the ethical birthright of Israel with his preaching and healing. He was no hero. He was a rabble-rouser. John 8 is full of outrageous statements that surely stirred people up.

Jesus insisted that his listeners make up their minds about him. If what he says is true then life is changed forever, because God has come to earth. If he's preening and pretending, then nothing's changed at all. He's just a fool getting a short day in the sun.

Jesus doesn't stand at the foot of my bed, telling me who he is. But I feel his presence insisting that I make up my mind about him. In the morning every morning, getting up to live one more day, what am I doing, whom will I serve, why will I do what I do?

Paul wrote in Colossians 3, "Whatever you do, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Gradually, that is making more and more sense to me.

Daybreak. Your light in the darkness, Lord. Shine, Jesus, shine.

Devotions Archive

Jesus pushes the envelope

Thursday, March 13, 2008