“…Truly I tell you, before Abraham was, I AM …” John 8:58
Sports enthusiasts often debate who is the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time)? In basketball is it Michael Jordan or Lebron James? In football is it Tom Brady? Some fans reach consensus. For others, debate leads to no resolution. There is only one man who walked the earth who was justified to make the claim as the greatest of all-time. Jesus Christ!
Jesus loved the unlovable. Healed the hopeless. Spent life in humility yet spoke with authority. While many praised Jesus, the religious leaders despised Him.
They displayed it after dragging a woman to Jesus who was caught in adultery, thinking they could force Him to justify their judgement of death to reinforce their control. The woman was laying in the dirt, sobbing, and seeking redemption. Jesus stooped down, wrote in the dusty ground and looked lovingly at her as He prepared to respond. Jesus calmly asked for anyone without sin in their life to throw the first stone at her. One by one, the accusers dropped their jagged rocks, and sulked away leaving The Rock (Psalm 18:31) alone to redeem a lost sheep back into GOD’s loving arms of forgiveness and salvation.
Jesus continued to proclaim the best way to live. He told the leaders that He was Light in a dark world (John 8:12), Truth over falsehoods (v.32), and would set anyone Free from sin and death (v.36).
But these scholars didn’t welcome His words that could release the pressure of religious rules designed to control lives instead of creating joy. Instead, they clung to their pride as heirs of Abraham. They were defiant even accusing Jesus of being a demon (v.52). How dare an ordinary man make such claims – someone asked “who do you pretend to be?” (v.53), as others prepared to take their anger out on Him since they couldn’t on the adulteress.
I imagine Jesus looking directly at the group leader with a quiet confidence as He proclaimed “before Abraham was, I AM” (v.58). They knew that was the same NAME that GOD proclaimed to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). Jesus was GOD. ALL in ALL. THE GREATEST being in all the universe. They had enough, and made plans to kill Him.
Sometimes we are laying in the dust of despair as self-talk shouts in our minds, condeming us for past mistakes. Or, others are quick to lend their opinions about our flaws. But Jesus is waiting, smiling and wanting to reach out His hand to forgive and help us on our feet again so we can follow Him to the GREATEST LIFE available.
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