Introduction
John 8:21–30: In the debate between Jesus and his opponents, they continue to question him about who his father is, and Jesus draws upon God’s divine name, “I Am Who I Am” (verse 28; see Exodus 3:14) to define his connection to God his Father.
Today’s Key Verse: John 8:28a
[Jesus said:] “When you lift up the Son of Man, you will know that ‘I Am Who I Am’.”
Reading
21 Again Jesus said to them, “I will go away; you will look for me, but you will die in your sins. You cannot go where I am going.”
22 So the Jewish authorities said, “He says that we cannot go where he is going. Does this mean that he will kill himself?”
23 Jesus answered, “You belong to this world here below, but I come from above. You are from this world, but I am not from this world. 24 That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. And you will die in your sins if you do not believe that ‘I Am Who I Am’.”
25 “Who are you?” they asked him.
Jesus answered, “What I have told you from the very beginning. 26 I have much to say about you, much to condemn you for. The one who sent me, however, is truthful, and I tell the world only what I have heard from him.”
27 They did not understand that Jesus was talking to them about the Father. 28 So he said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, you will know that ‘I Am Who I Am’; then you will know that I do nothing on my own authority, but I say only what the Father has instructed me to say. 29 And he who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, because I always do what pleases him.”
30 Many who heard Jesus say these things believed in him.
Reflect
Jesus draws on God’s personal name in his confrontation with the religious leaders, a name that faithful Jews do not speak aloud. Reread verses 27–29. What does Jesus say to these authorities about his relationship with God? What does it mean to you that to know Jesus is to know God?
Pray
Lord Jesus, I know that you were sent by God to reveal God to us. Help me to live out this truth and act according to your teachings. May all I do and say this day be pleasing in your sight. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
John 8:31–47: Jesus says that all Abraham’s children would listen to him.
