“Before Abraham was…”
John 8:37-59

“‘Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.’  Then the Jews said to Him, ‘You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?’  Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.’” [John 8:56-58]

And right after “they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.” [v.60]

It was a supernatural exit. But it was not because He feared death or any of the religious rulers. It was only because it was not yet time. Our Lord’s death was prophesied [how and when]. He must die by crucifixion [ref. Isaiah. 53; Psalm. 22]; and He must die at the appointed time [ref. Daniel. 9:25-26; Nehemiah. 2:1; Exodus. 12:3-6].

The thing to note, however, was His claim to deity: “Most assuredly, I say to you, ‘before Abraham was, I AM.’”  The “Most assuredly” preface is an emphatic “to be sure.”  To be sure, Jesus said, “I AM eternal; I existed before, during, and after Abraham.”  

There are other Old Testament references supporting this, including several pre-incarnate appearances of Jesus called Christophanies. We will refer to a few of these in our study this morning.

The original “I AM” reference is in Exodus 3. That was when Moses asked the Lord His name at the Burning Bush. “And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’  Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” [Exodus 3:14]

What is interesting is that Jesus used this “I am” name many times, and the Apostle John made it a point to highlight them. I am the bread of life; I am the light of the world; I am the gate for the sheep; I am the Good Shepherd; I am the resurrection and the life; I am the way and the truth and the life; and I am the true vine. In these, Jesus proclaimed to be God.

Before Abraham was, I AM, posits an unordinary sentence structure with an extraordinary claim. The religious Jews knew what that claim was. It is important for us to know as well.

To be sure, Jesus claimed to be God. 

“Most assuredly, I say to you, ‘before Abraham was, I AM.’”