“Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad. I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:56, 58, NIV 1984).
My Musings – A couple of “timeless” points are being made in this text. First, Abraham, who lived some 2000 years before the birth of Christ, “saw it and was glad.” Second, before “Abraham was born,” Jesus was. More precisely, “I am.” The beginning and the end, and everything in between. “I am.” Timeless.
“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.’ Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 12:3, 6 and 15:6, NIV 1984). Even though at this point Abram and his wife were childless and past the age of childbearing.
“God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you. This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.'” (Exodus 3:14-15, NIV 1984). We can be pretty sure that Jesus’ use of “I am” was not lost on the Jews who were challenging Him. The name that had been “remembered from generation to generation.” In fact, “at this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away.” (John 8:59, NIV 1984). They were fully aware that Jesus was claiming to be the one through whom “all peoples on earth [would] be blessed.” The promised Messiah.
My Advice – “By faith Abraham…considered him faithful who had made the promise.” (Hebrews 11:11, NIV 1984). Now it is up to us to consider if God is faithful in keeping His promise. “That whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NIV 1984). We must believe in order to be credited with His righteousness. For, “without faith it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6, NIV 1984).
The Brew Is A Musing 