Seeking Jesus First - April 11, 2026
“Before Abraham Was, I AM”Please Read John 8:48–59 (NKJV)
Reflection
The confrontation reached its climax. The religious leaders accused Jesus of having a demon. In response, Jesus made the clearest and most shocking claim of His entire ministry:
“Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”
With those words, Jesus did not merely claim to be older than Abraham. He claimed to be the eternal God Himself. “I AM” was the sacred covenant name God revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). By using it, Jesus was declaring, “I am the same eternal God who spoke to Moses. I existed before Abraham. I am Yahweh in the flesh.”
The Jews understood exactly what He was saying. They picked up stones to throw at Him — the penalty for blasphemy. In their eyes, Jesus had gone too far. But Jesus was not blaspheming. He was revealing the truth of His eternal nature.
This is the great offense of the Gospel and the glory of our faith. Jesus is not just a good teacher, a prophet, or a moral example. He is the eternal Son of God — the great “I AM” who stepped into time. Before Abraham existed, before the world was created, He was. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
True faith does not negotiate with this claim. True faith bows before His eternal glory. When we see Jesus as the great “I AM,” everything changes. Our worship deepens, our obedience becomes joyful, and our confidence in His promises becomes unshakable.
In the Kingdom life, we are called to live in awe of who Jesus really is. He is not someone we manage or reduce to fit our understanding. He is the eternal God who became flesh, died for our sins, rose again, and now invites us to know Him as Lord and Savior.
Application
Today, take time to meditate on the greatness of Jesus. Renew your mind with this truth: Before Abraham was, Jesus is the great “I AM.” Let this reality humble you and fill you with wonder. Choose one practical way today to bow before His glory — perhaps through extended worship, declaring one of His “I AM” statements from the Gospel of John, or simply telling Him, “Jesus, You are the great I AM, and I worship You.” Let the eternal nature of Christ shape how you face today’s challenges and decisions.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the glory of Your Son. Thank You that before Abraham was, Jesus is the great “I AM.” We bow before His eternal majesty today. Forgive us for the times we have reduced Him in our thinking or treated Him as less than who He truly is. Renew our minds and enlarge our hearts to worship Him as the eternal God. Help us live in awe of His glory and walk in joyful obedience to the One who existed before all things. May our lives continually declare that Jesus is Lord — the great “I AM.” In His mighty name, giving thanks for the living Word of the Lord. Amen.