Continuing our journey through the book of John
48 The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon?possessed?”
49 “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me.50 I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge.51 I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”
52 At this the Jews exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon?possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that if anyone keeps your word, he will never taste death.53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”
54 Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.55 Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and keep his word.56 Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.”
57 “You are not yet fifty years old,” the Jews said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”
58 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.
It’s quite the startling mistake to mistake the son of God for someone demon possessed. Yet it happened to Jesus. It happens today as we demonize people – we need to be very careful of the accusations we throw.
It’s amazing how fixated Jesus was on bringing God the father glory, what would our lives look like if we did the same?
“before Abraham was born, I am” – Christ is alluding to when God referred to himself as “I am” – the alpha and the omega, the one who was, and is, and is to come – Our Christ is both cosmic and universal while being deeply intimate and personal.
Jesus ran for cover from the pending stoning. There’s a time to run and a time to stand our ground. Isn’t it interesting where he had to run from was the ‘temple grounds’? It’s the religious places that we often need to flee from danger.
