112. Who You Are and Who I Am

I know you are Abraham’s offspring, yet you seek to kill me, because my word finds no place in you. I tell what I have seen with my Father; and you do what you have seen with your father.”

They answered him, “Our father is Abraham.”

Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham didn’t do this. You do the works of your father.”

They said, “We weren’t born of sexual immorality. We have one Father, God.”

Jesus said, “If God were your father, you would love me, for I came from God. I haven’t come of myself, but he sent me. Why don’t you understand what I say? It’s because you can’t listen. You are of your father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn’t stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own, for he is a liar, and the father of lies. Because I tell the truth, you don’t believe me. Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why don’t you believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. You don’t hear, because you are not of God.”

Then the Jews answered him, “Don’t we say well that you are a Samaritan, and have an evil spirit?”

Jesus answered, “I don’t have an evil spirit, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. But I don’t seek my own glory. There is one who seeks and judges. Anyone who keeps my word will never see death.”

Then the Jews said to him, “Now we know you have an evil spirit. Abraham died, and the prophets, yet you say, ‘Whoever keeps my word will never taste of death.’ Are you greater than our father, Abraham, who died? The prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?”

Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is our God. You have not known him, but I know him. If I said, ‘I don’t know him,’ I would be like you, a liar. But I know him, and keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it, and was glad.”

The Jews therefore said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?”

Jesus said to them, “I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I am.”

They took up stones to throw at him, but Jesus was hidden as he went out of the temple, passing by in their midst. 

Reflection

The Jewish leaders were claiming to be God’s chosen people, but Jesus was claiming even more by saying he had come from God. The situation became intense as Jesus told them they were children of the devil, not children of Abraham. Do you see Jesus in this situation being harsh, angry and unfair? What do you think could have made him so upset? Do you get upset talking to people who don’t agree with your religion? 

Prayer: Give me holy boldness, Lord, tempered by love and humility.