The entire world revolves around the question, Who
is Jesus? The Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day struggled with it mightily.
In the end, we see that religion by itself can interfere with your ability to
answer this question. Despite the fact that the people were in the temple, it
was the Sabbath, and that Jesus had not been charged yet, they responded to
Jesus, with an attempt to stone Him
The Jews answered him, Aren’t we right in
saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed? I am not possessed by
a demon, said Jesus, but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. I
am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is
the judge. Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never
see death. At this they exclaimed, Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham
died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will
never taste death. Are you greater than our father Abraham? He
died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are? Jesus replied,
I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as
your God, is the one who glorifies me. Though you do not know
him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but
I do know him and obey his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced
at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad. You are not yet
fifty years old, they said to him, and you have seen Abraham! Very truly I tell
you, Jesus answered, before Abraham was born, I am! At
this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid
himself, slipping away from the temple grounds. - John
8:48-59
This action shows just how spiritually blinded to the
truth they were. Only a redeemed mind can fully understand the realities of the
living Christ. The conflict between light and dark still exists. Jesus, the
Light, always wins.
Greater is He that is
in me! How about you?