Let There Be LightSample

Day 8 – Melissa Yates

(Calvary Sunshine Coast)

John Chapter 8

Title: The Great I AM

Scripture: John 8:58

“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

Thought:
John 8 invites us to imagine ourselves as panelled jurors in a court case. Before deliberations, the judge tells the jurors to consider the evidence and draw on their own experiences to reach a verdict.

The case of John 8 is “The Law of Moses vs. the Testimony & Declarations of Jesus.” The highlight for me is when Jesus delivered his closing remarks; “I tell you the truth, before Adam was born, I am.” When He said these words, the leaders went ballistic.

As a new Christian, this verse (John 8:58) was also my undoing. One day, I asked God, “Why didn’t you just explain clearly who you were instead of just saying “I am”? The swift reply I heard was, “Their hearts were hardened.”

With hardened hearts, the Jewish Leaders could not believe beyond what was in the Law. In Exodus 3:14, God declares to Moses that He is the ‘I am’ and for Jesus to say the same was unthinkable. In Jewish Law, Jesus’ claim made Him guilty of blasphemy. There was nothing more Jesus could have said that would have changed His guilty verdict, and ultimately, it was Jesus’ claim to be equal with God that resulted in a cruel yet divine death on the cross.

As for me, I was faced with the same choice: to harden my heart or to believe Jesus’ claim. Thirty years later, I’m still human but leaning in. The truth of Christ has brought me freedom, the light of life, and the assurance of eternal life. Join me in declaring this verdict: Jesus is the Messiah, the forgiver of our sins, the light of the world, the Son of God and Son of Man, and The Great I Am.

Application:

Have you arrived at a verdict as to who Jesus Christ is? Reflect on the condition of your heart today – has it somehow become hardened toward Jesus, or is your heart surrendered to Jesus as Lord and God of your life?

Prayer:

Lord, we acknowledge You as the great “I Am.” Help us to understand and embrace Your eternal presence in our lives. Strengthen our faith and deepen our commitment to follow You. May we find comfort and assurance in knowing You are the eternal God. Amen.