It is always a Choice

John 8:48-59

In the early days of my career I worked with a young man who had hatred for Jesus in his heart, and he told me one day that Jesus was responsible for ninety percent of the problems in this world.  When I told Joe that I believed Jesus was the Son of God and that I had placed my faith in Him for my eternal future, Joe’s reply was, if he is God, I would spit in his face.  In that I was just beginning my walk with Jesus, I dropped the subject and it never came up again.  But I do recall that in that exchange, Joe told me that the Bible never claims that Jesus was God.  Many years have passed and yet I recall that day in the parking lot of 3M BPSI offices on Padre Island drive, and my inability to show Joe how often Jesus claimed to be God.

One such account is John 8:48-59, where the Jews were claiming that Jesus was a Samaritan and had a demon, and this was his reply, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me.  Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge.  Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”  The Jews that heard Jesus said they were now sure that He was crazy or was being controlled by a demon, and they answered that Abraham died, as did the prophets, and Jesus replied; “If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.”  Unlike my exchange with Joe in the parking lot many years ago, the Jews knew who Abraham was, so they came back with this, “Are you greater than our father Abraham who died?  And the prophets died!  Who do you make yourself out to be?” (John 8:53)

“Who do you make yourself out to be?” This may be one of the best questions ever asked?  And Jesus’ reply in verses 54 – 56, is very powerful and in verse 56, Jesus put it all on the line, “Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day.  He saw it and was glad.”  Can you imagine the shock of hearing this, Jesus had taken off the table being a good moral teacher, He was nuttier than a fruitcake or was He God?  This was the reply of the Jews, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham”?  Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I Am.”

These Jews were fully aware that Jesus’ claim was “I Am” the name God told Moses to give the people if they ask who had sent him to free them, in Exodus 3:13-15.  So, it is now your choice, is Jesus a lunatic or is He the Son of God?

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice