John 8:59
New International Version (NIV)
59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.
The this referred to here is the incredible assertion made by Jesus that "Before Abraham was born, I am!" This was a comment so powerful that they were angry enough to kill him.
What was it about that sentence that made them so angry? I wonder if they realized just how strong a statement Jesus was making here. He was saying:
1.) That he was eternal.
2.) That he was greater than human.
3.) That he was superior to one of their heroes of the faith.
4.) That he had existed prior to his life on earth.
Bold claims, to be sure. But it seems to me that if they didn't have at least some niggling thought that he could be telling the truth, they would have simply branded him as crazy and moved on along. That's what we usually do with those types of people, isn't it?
Remember Harold Camping? Most of us look at someone who has so obviously distorted the teachings of God with almost a pity. In some twisted way, I feel a little sorry for the guy. I certainly don't want to kill him.
Not so here. Jesus makes these Pharisees and teachers of the law furious enough to commit murder. You just don't react that strongly to people of no consequence. I think, in their heart of hearts, they must have realized that he wasn't a lunatic. He wasn't a liar.
He was the Lord.
The this referred to here is the incredible assertion made by Jesus that "Before Abraham was born, I am!" This was a comment so powerful that they were angry enough to kill him.
What was it about that sentence that made them so angry? I wonder if they realized just how strong a statement Jesus was making here. He was saying:
1.) That he was eternal.
2.) That he was greater than human.
3.) That he was superior to one of their heroes of the faith.
4.) That he had existed prior to his life on earth.
Bold claims, to be sure. But it seems to me that if they didn't have at least some niggling thought that he could be telling the truth, they would have simply branded him as crazy and moved on along. That's what we usually do with those types of people, isn't it?
Remember Harold Camping? Most of us look at someone who has so obviously distorted the teachings of God with almost a pity. In some twisted way, I feel a little sorry for the guy. I certainly don't want to kill him.
Not so here. Jesus makes these Pharisees and teachers of the law furious enough to commit murder. You just don't react that strongly to people of no consequence. I think, in their heart of hearts, they must have realized that he wasn't a lunatic. He wasn't a liar.
He was the Lord.
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