John 8:58-9:2

58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”

59 Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

1 Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. 

2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

How could Jesus have seen Abraham? This is the question that the Jews posed in verse 57. Then, Jesus dropped a bomb on them in verse 58 when He said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” Paraphrasing, Jesus said, “I am telling you that I was here before Abraham. I am the I AM.” “I AM” is what God called Himself when He talked to Moses from the burning bush. God told Moses that he would be the one to deliver His people out of Egyptian bondage. “Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them? And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” (Exodus 3:13-14). So Jesus was saying He was God with His statement in verse 58. The Jews knew what He meant by this statement, because they knew the scriptures. This statement pushed them over the edge, as they saw it as blasphemy, and they began to pick up stones to throw at Jesus. According to Leviticus 24:16, the penalty for blasphemy was death by stoning. Of course, this penalty would have been imposed after the person was found guilty, sort of like when a person goes to trial today. They wouldn’t have all just picked up stones and started throwing them at someone without them being found guilty first. But this was what these people were going to do to Jesus. They didn’t even consider all the things that He had already said and done that proved He was the “I AM”. They didn’t consider all the witnesses that He gave in chapter 5. They didn’t consider all the miracles and signs that He had performed. No, they were just going to pick up stones and start throwing them. No judge……no trial…..nothing. It says that Jesus hid Himself, left the temple through the middle of them, and passed by them. How did Jesus get away? It just says He hid Himself. Did He turn invisible? Did He suddenly disguise Himself? I’m not sure. But, it wasn’t His time yet, and Jesus would only give His life on His terms, at the time of His Father’s perfect will and no sooner. No one would be in control of when Jesus would give His life for the sins of the world except for Him and His Father.

At the beginning of chapter 9, as Jesus passed by the people who were about to stone Him, He noticed a blind man who had been blind from birth. In verse 2, Jesus’ disciples asked Him a question, “Teacher, did this man or his parents sin? Is that why he was born blind?” The disciples didn’t sound very compassionate, did they? They don’t say, “Oh, look at this poor man who has been blind his whole life. Teacher, what can we do to help him?” Wouldn’t that be the correct reaction to have upon seeing this poor man? But no, they want to know what he or his family did to deserve being born blind. If the disciples’ way of thinking were true, wouldn’t everyone be blind, since everyone has sinned? Remember when Bildad assumed that Job’s children must have sinned for them to all be killed? (Job 8:3-7) This was a common way of thinking among the Jews. They may have gotten this idea from Exodus 34:7, where it says that God would “visit the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and fourth generations”. This verse means that the consequences of sin can extend to future generations. It doesn’t mean that a person will be struck blind because of a sin that his father committed. It is talking about the consequences to future generations when parents don’t follow God. If I don’t follow God, then my children will grow up and more than likely not follow God. Then, my children’s children probably won’t follow God either, and on it goes. It is a vicious cycle. 

I wasn’t perfect as a parent, but I tried my best to raise my children to be faithful, even if I sometimes wasn’t being faithful behind the scenes at times. Even when my heart wasn’t right, I knew that I wanted theirs to be right. I knew better. Even when I didn’t love myself enough to get myself together, I never wanted them to know that. I know now that God knew my heart and knew that I would eventually get myself somewhat together. I’m so grateful and relieved that my two grown children are Christians and are married to Christians. I pray they stay faithful. I pray they are better, more grounded Christians than I was at their ages. I pray they continue to grow in the Lord. I pray for my grandchildren to grow up to be faithful Christians, and so on for generations to come. That is my prayer. 

God means for everyone to learn what the Bible teaches about being saved. It only takes an open heart for Jesus and a willingness to put away what we’ve been taught in the past, and truly read what God’s Word says for ourselves… and then accept what it says and obey it. If I can help you in any way, I would love to! Are you walking in the light? Are you in Christ? Are you saved? If you aren’t, or if you’re not sure if you are, I’d love to help you. Are you a member of the Lord’s church, but are struggling spiritually in your walk with Christ? If you are… believe me, I’ve been there many times, and I’d love to help you. If you have any questions, please reach out. 

I love God’s Word. It challenges me to be better… to do more in His service. It is interesting and keeps me on the edge of my seat, wondering what will happen next. It gives me confidence and builds me up, and it brings me to my knees when my soul needs convicting! Thank you, Father, for the wonderful gift of Your Word!

God’s Plan of Salvation

Below is the plan God has outlined in His Word for humankind to receive His grace, which leads to salvation and an eternity with God in heaven. This plan is straight from the Bible. 

We have to hear His word. (Romans 10:17) 

Upon hearing the message of Jesus, we believe it. (Mark 16:16) 

Then, we confess Jesus’ name before men. (Matthew 10:32) 

Next, we repent of our sins. (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19) 

Finally, we are baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins.  (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-27) After baptism, God adds us to His church. (Acts 2:47)