Daily Devotions
Thursday, June 12, 2025
John 8:49a, 51-59 – Jesus answered, … Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word, he will never see death.” The Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word, he will never taste death.’ Are You greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do You make Yourself out to be?” Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing. It is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ But you have not known Him. I know Him. If I were to say that I do not know Him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know Him and I keep His word. Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see My day. He saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” So they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple.
My husband the pastor likes to joke that he has only one sermon topic: “Who Is Jesus?” When it comes to this text, that’s correct; because that’s exactly what Jesus’ enemies are arguing about: His identity.
And it’s a life-or-death question, as you can see by the end: “So they picked up stones to throw at Him.” Why would anybody get so angry about Jesus’ claims that they wanted to kill Him? Well, because Jesus is claiming to be God. Look at the claims He makes! He says, “If anyone keeps My word, he will never see death.” Who has the words of life but God Himself? Jesus says, “Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see My day. He saw it and was glad.” That’s a clear claim to be God’s promised Messiah, the One who would save the world through His death and resurrection. Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” Those little words “I am” are God’s own Name for Himself in Exodus 3:14b, where God says to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” So Jesus is claiming to be the God who spoke to Moses. And most clearly of all He says, “It is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’” No wonder they tried to kill Him!
Because either Jesus is an evil man who deserves death for His shameful lies about God, or else He is just who He says He is: God Himself, God the Son, sent into this world by God the Father to become our Savior. He is the promised Messiah who came to suffer and die—and rise again! Now everyone who trusts in Him is forgiven for all of their wrongdoing. Through Jesus, we receive a new identity—no longer rebels against God, but joyful, beloved children of God, living forever in His kingdom.
WE PRAY: Dear Lord, I know that You are truly God. Thank You for loving me so much You came to be my Savior! Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
- If someone asks you who you are, how do you answer? (Don’t just say your name.)
- Why does it matter who Jesus is?
- How does Jesus’ identity affect your identity?
Today's Readings:
Proverbs 5-7John 20