THE GREAT I AM

 

John 8:48-59

 

Ever since Satan’s initial rebellion, Satan has tirelessly waged war against God and His servants. “How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God. I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” Isaiah 14:12-14

 

As we read here this conflict began in heavenly places and then brought to the earth as he entered the garden to temp Adam. Since then, the Devil has done everything within his extensive, though limited power, to hinder God’s purposes and obscure God’s message. And though God is victorious, Satan continues the spiritual battle rages on to destroy and bury the message of God.

  

Throughout history men of God have defended the truth of the scriptures, facing evil head-on with the truth and exposing the evil that is in men’s hearts for centuries.

 

Moses, who demanded that Pharaoh let his people go (Exo 5:1)

 

Elijah, who challenged the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:19-40)

 

John the Baptist, who confronted the corruption among the religious leaders. (Matt 7:51-53)

 

Stephen, who stood and proclaimed the truth to the Sandhedrin and paid for it with his life. (Acts 7:51-53)

 

Peter and John, who rebuked the sorcerer, Simon. (Acts 8:9-24)

 

Paul and Barnabas, who condemned the false prophet Bar-Jesus (Acts 13:9-11)

 

Above all human heroes of the faith the Lord Jesus Christ confronted the armies of Hell to defeat wickedness. “Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8

 

All of Satan’s attacks, plans of wickedness, and his control over the hearts of people; the Son of God came to destroy all the works of the devil for he hates truth. Truth stands in mortal conflict with Satan “There is no truth in him.” John 8:44. Jesus has been in what seems to be an unending state of conflict with, Sceptics, disbelievers, sons of disobedience, and haters of God, men who are evil and in bondage to their father the devil, according to Jesus.

What made these men so angry to want to pick up stones to kill Him?

 

What caused them to continually attack Jesus with such hate filled hearts?

 

Maybe it had something to do with what Jesus has been saying all along. I am the Great I’AM. He expressed this truth when He said “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad." (v56) . What does He mean Abraham rejoiced to see my day and he saw and was glad? It wasn’t that Abraham had some private vision, but it was God who gave him the “spiritual awareness” to see these future events. For example: The miraculous birth of his own son Isaac, born by his barren wife of old age. [Heb 11:11]. Abraham would have certainly seen the grace of Calvary when he went to offer his son to God. [Heb 11:17-19]. He would have witnessed the priestly ministry of Melchizedek who was Christ type of our Heavenly Lord. [Gen 14:17-24]. Though the marriage promises of his son Isaac, Abraham would be able to see a picture of the blessed marriage found in the Lamb of God. [Gen 24]. We need to remember the Lord didn’t say “Abraham saw Me”, but that “Abraham saw my DAY”. A future day [a time] of deliverance from the bondage of sin and death. A future day that through Abraham, all nations would be blessed because the Messiah would be from the seed of his blood line. [Gen 17]. Though this Abraham rejoiced and walked by faith in the covenant promises that our Lord declared to him. This was an object that filled the heart of Abraham with joy; and, that he earnestly desired to see it. This is the same joy Jesus spoke of, “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matt 5:12. These men didn’t have the same sentiment that their founding father had when Jesus said “Abraham rejoiced to see My day” (v56). They only cared about the fight of control…these were power hungry men who didn’t know the truth! Why? Their pride was being attacked according to them by Jesus when He said “you are of your father the devil…” (v44)

 

 

Look at how they responded! (v48) Not to be out done by this Jesus character; they say “He must be a Samaritan and demon-possessed.” This is a radical and religious belittling or dishonoring. This was a plain admission that they were unable to answer the Lord, they were completely outdone in argument, so they resorted to vulgar and blasphemous narrative. This was about the meanest comment that was readily available to them. "Samaritan" especially to a Jew. Remember back in John 4:9 “Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.”

 

Samaritans was an enemy to their national faith. Why? According to the Jews, Samaritan people were considered heretics, and divisive, unclean people, half breeds. These wicked men resorted to personal abuse and attacks “Now we know you have a demon” this reveals their proud and lying spirit. Jesus responds to their outlandish accusations (v49) with dismissing their first claims and responds with why He is here. “I honor my Father, and you dishonor Me” What Jesus is revealing here is that if Jesus had a demon, this would mean He was controlled by the Devil who is a liar, but Christ had told them the truth. The reason I say this is because, “The one who is of the devil is always seeking to flatter men.” But remember what Jesus said when He confronted the religious elites as they seek the praises from men. “for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.” John 12:43

 

Paul said this, “For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.” 1 Thess 2:5-9

 

Someone who is moved by the Devil is inflated with pride and seeks the honor and fame but what does Jesus say though. “Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge.” (v50). Jesus calmly says He wasn’t here to please men and to be praised by men; and what Jesus reveals here is the true hearts of these men. Jesus calmly reveals He wasn’t seeking the glory, but came to glorify the Father. Jesus calmly reveals this wasn’t demonic, or maniac on His part, because the glory He possessed was not evil or satanic, but Divine.

 

This was His eternal relationship with the Father, just the same as Jesus prays for His disciples before His death that they would have the same relationship with the Father, “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” John 17:24-26

 

This Divine relationship reveals to these lost men, the very one they claimed is “He is our God” (v54) In their blackened hearts all they claim is that Jesus is demonic, or a filthy Samaritan. These men were lost and defeated and despite their outward pretense, they didn’t not know God; they were children of Satan. (v44, v54, v55). Their delusion was that they were God’s children; and that Jesus was in league with the Devil.

To lose one’s temper, and call names, is a common sign of a defeated cause. They were attacking the very character of Jesus which means they were attacking God. We see this all the time in our homes, the work place, social events, and even in the news. They do this without care of the damage they are doing, because it comes so natural to sinful men and women; especially when you express the truth from Scripture. It brings about: bitterness, hatred [I mean murderous hatred] it brings out the worst in a person; and it also reveals the genuineness of their heart. As the word of God says “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45. 

Jesus addressing their accusations of being demon possessed. “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." Matt 12:35-37

 

This literally means every “vain, thoughtless, useless word; a word that accomplishes no good will be condemned by the Lord. Specifically, here it means, “wicked, injurious, false, malicious, for such” were the words which they had spoken, as they ran out of cleaver ideas to trick Jesus. This is what the natural man and woman resort too; when they are faced with the truth found in the Scriptures. But as John Calvin said we are to follow the example of our Lord when confronted with wickedness. “The true Christian in the present day must never be surprised to find that he has constant trials to endure from this quarter. Human nature never changes. So long as he serves the world, and walks in the broad way, little perhaps will be said against him. Once let him take up the cross and follow Christ, and there is no lie too monstrous, and no story too absurd, for some to tell against him, and for others to believe. But let him take comfort in the thought that he is only drinking the cup which his blessed Master drank before him. The lies of his enemies do him no injury in heaven, whatever they may on earth. Let him bear them patiently, and not fret, or lose his temper. When Christ was reviled, "He reviled not again." Let the Christian do likewise.” We are under the sovereign care of the eternal Son of God, that’s why we can endure the sufferings and trials of this world system. Just like Abraham, who could rejoice as he looked to a day when sin would be no more on the earth.

 

It wasn’t that Abraham had some private vision, but it was God who

gave him the “spiritual awareness” to see these future events. 

 

Its in the great awakening of the gospel confession and the Light that guides our path that gives us the same spiritual awareness. (v51) Look what Jesus says to remind us; as He answers the ignorance of these men. (v58) What is Jesus saying? I’AM the pre-existent, self-sustaining one who created all things for My glory.” Before Abraham was even conceived, born, lived out his first breath, I was the Great I’AM. This was nothing less than a claim of full deity, as Jesus takes the sacred name for God, for Himself. This I’AM statement is the name in which God revealed Himself to the Jews when He sent Moses to deliver His people from the wickedness of Egypt. In Exo 3:13-15 we read about this sacred name that the Nation of Jews would remember and understand. “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.' " Moreover God said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: 'The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.'

 

The words “I AM” expressed here are absolute, and therefore unchanging. “I AM” also signifies His….. eternality and immutability, and His constancy and faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, for it includes all time, past, present, and to come. The sense is, not only I am what I am at present, but I am what I have been, and I am what I shall be, and shall be what I am. Jesus reveals what Homer Kent said in his commentary, “By using the timeless “I AM” rather than “I was”; Jesus conveyed not only the idea of existence prior to Abraham, but timelessness, which is the very nature of God Himself.” Later in John’s gospel when they come to arrest Jesus the mob is overwhelmed when Jesus identifies Himself to them. “Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.” John 18:4-6. 

This is the historic response of people overcome with awe in the presence of God. This is the natural response when Jesus is identified with these words throughout Scripture.

 

Genesis 17:3: 'Abraham fell face down ... '

Numbers 22:31: '.. and he (Balaam) saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell face down.'

Joshua 5:14: 'Then Joshua fell facedown to ground in reverence ... '

Judges 13:20: 'Manoah and his wife fell with their faces to the ground'

Ezekiel 1:28: 'This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I feel facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.' [See also Ezekiel 3:23, 43:3; 44:4.]

Daniel 8:17: 'As he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate.'

Matthew 17:5,6: ' ... a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified.'

Acts 22:6-7: ' ... suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. I feel to the ground ... '

 

All of the I AM claims and statements of Jesus point directly to His identification with the I AM of Exodus 3. Jesus Christ is YHWH, YAHWEH, JEHOVAH, this is why Abraham was excited for future things. The Devil and his followers hate this truth, and they all hate Jesus as we see in the closing of this chapter. (v59) What practical steps can we take, though we are not Jesus, but His children, what can we do when faced with such hostility. Ultimately rest in this truth of who Jesus is, and rejoice as Abraham did. So, the question for us as a church is how should we respond to when faced with hostile and hurtful words? It’s simple: What did Jesus do? He spoke the truth in love to a people who desperately needed saving from their sins and rebellion.

KNOWING THAT JESUS IS THE GREAT I AM, NEVER RESPOND WITH ANGER OR INSULTS WITH THE PURPOSE TO INFLICT HARM OR INJURY.

 

Paul said, “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.” Rom 12:17-19

 

Solomon wrote “A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.” Prov 15:1-2

 

Jesus said, “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.” Luke 6:27-28

 

 

KNOWING THAT JESUS IS THE GREAT I AM, BECOME AN INSTRUMENT OF GOD’S GRACE.

 

Paul wrote, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” Eph 4:29

 

 

KNOWING THAT JESUS IS THE GREAT I AM, ALWAYS PRAY FOR GOD’S GUIDANCE AND SUBMIT TO THE HOLY SPIRIT TO COUNSEL YOU’RE EVERY ACTION.

 

Jesus said, “…when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth;…” John 16:13

 

 

KNOWING THAT JESUS IS THE GREAT I AM, MAINTAIN AND REMEMBER YOUR IDENTITY AS CHILDREN OF CHRIST.

 

Paul proclaimed, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Col 3:1-3

 

This powerful declaration should cause every man and woman who reads it to have great pause and cause them to realize that the Jesus of the Bible is……. no mere man, no mere son of a carpenter, no mere teacher or great prophet. He does not leave us with the choice of labeling Him with these earthly titles. No . . . He tells us quite clearly that He Is The Great “I AM.” Muslims, Jehovah’s Witnesses, liberals, agnostics, progressive churches, secular historians and many others are perfectly happy to have a Jesus who is merely a wise teacher. However, as we have seen in this final “I AM” statement, Jesus is much more. He is God Himself. There’s only one reason that this is highly offensive to the culture. It’s only highly offensive if it isn’t true. But if it’s true, well, that changes everything doesn’t it? Jesus didn’t contend with the Jews because he hated them, He contended with the Jews because He loved them. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” Matt 23:37-39. Christians contend, struggle and fight for the faith, not out of anger, or hostility for the world, but out of love.

 

What does that look like for you and me today? Let me close with this story of an official of a Mission Board that was looking to bring on new missionaries, and he knew that it takes more than a desire to make a missionary. So, he told a young man to come to his house at 6am in the morning. The young man went at 6am in the morning to be examined, and the examiner kept him sitting in the room until 10am. Then he went down to him and said abruptly, “Can you spell? Can you spell God?” “Yes, sir,” came the answer calmly. “Can you write your name? Do you know what your name is?” “Yes, sir,” again he replied. Then he put him through a series of questions of that kind, and then went to the Missionary Board and said, “He will do. I tried his patience for four hours, and he did not break down: I then insulted him, and he did not lose his temper. He will do.” That is the litmus test of Christianity. If a man answers all abuses with patience, courage, a gentleness that cannot be violated, depend upon it, Christ’s love has conquered his heart, and the gospel has made him what he is justified by the very quality of his character. Such a Christian like that, causes men to say, “Well, after all, you’ve got to say something for a religion that produces a man like that.”

 

Despite this long insulting and accusing conversation done by the Scribes and Pharisees; let’s follow our Lord Jesus Christ as we go out into hostile territory rejoicing as Abraham did, looking forward too greater things in Heaven.

 

The one who created us for His glory and our good.

The one who secures us in His sovereign grace through confessional living.

The one who we are to lean upon when faced with adversity and conflict.

The one who displays for us how we are to live for Him.

The one who Abraham rejoiced over and was glad to the fullest of the heart.

The one who is the Great I AM