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Jesus enemies accuse Him of being possessed by a demon. Jesus continues proclaiming the truth. From the burning bush, God revealed His holy name to Moses, “I am who i am.” (Exodus 3:14) Now Jesus claims to be God when He says, “before Abraham was, I am.” (8:58) The enemies attempt to stone Jesus, but His hour has not yet come.

BibleGateway: John 8:48-59

ESV Text: John 8:48-59

John 8:48–59 (Listen)

Before Abraham Was, I Am

48 The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. 50 Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” 52 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.’ 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” 54 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.’1 55 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. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” 57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?”2 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

Footnotes

[1] 8:54 Some manuscripts your God

[2] 8:57 Some manuscripts has Abraham seen you?

(ESV)


KJV Text: John 8:48-59

The section starts at about 6:7 and ends at about 7:45

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48 Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? 49 Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. 50 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.

     51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. 52 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. 53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? 54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: 55 Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. 57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? 58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. 59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.(KJV)


Hymn: TLH 40 : The God of Abraham Praise

Hymnary.org

Organ Audio

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1. The God of Abraham praise;
All praised be His name
Who was and is and is to be
And still the same!
The one eternal God,
Ere aught that now appears;
The First, the Last: beyond all thought
His timeless years!

2. The God of Abraham praise,
At whose supreme command
From earth I rise and seek the joys
At His right hand.
I all on earth forsake,
Its wisdom, fame, and power,
And Him my only Portion make,
My Shield and Tower.

3. He by Himself hath sworn,–
I on His oath depend,–
I shall, on eagles’ wings upborne,
To heaven ascend;
I shall behold His face,
I shall His power adore
And sing the wonders of His grace
Forevermore.

4. The whole triumphant host
Give thanks to God on high;
“Hail, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!”
They ever cry.
Hail, Abraham’s God and mine!–
I join the heavenly lays,–
All might and majesty are Thine,
And endless praise.


Hymn: LSB 798 : The God of Abraham Praise

Hymnary.org

1. The God of Abr’ham praise,
Who reigns enthroned above;
Ancient of everlasting days
And God of love.
Jehovah, great I AM!
By earth and heav’n confessed;
I bow and bless the sacred name
Forever blest.

2. The God of Abr’ham praise,
At whose supreme command
From earth I rise and seek the joys
At His right hand.
I all on earth forsake,
Its wisdom, fame, and pow’r,
And Him my only portion make,
My shield and tow’r.

3. The God of Abr’ham praise,
Whose all-sufficient grace
Shall guide me all my pilgrim days
In all my ways.
He deigns to call me friend;
He calls Himself my God.
And He shall save me to the end
Through Jesus’ blood.

4. He by Himself has sworn;
I on His oath depend.
I shall, on eagle wings upborne,
To heav’n ascend.
I shall behold His face;
I shall His pow’r adore
And sing the wonders of His grace
Forevermore.

5. Though nature’s strength decay,
And earth and hell withstand,
To Canaan’s bounds I urge my way
At His command.
The wat’ry deep I pass,
With Jesus in my view,
And through the howling wilderness
My way pursue.

6. The goodly land I see,
With peace and plenty blest:
A land of sacred liberty
And endless rest.
There milk and honey flow,
And oil and wine abound,
And trees of life forever grow
With mercy crowned.

7. There dwells the Lord our king,
The Lord our righteousness,
Triumphant o’er the world and sin,
The Prince of Peace.
On Zion’s sacred height
His kingdom He maintains
And glorious with His saints in light
Forever reigns.

8. The God who reigns on high
The great archangels sing,
And, “Holy, holy, holy!” cry,
“Almighty King!
Who was and is the same
And evermore shall be;
Jehovah, Father, great I AM!
We worship Thee!”

9. The whole triumphant host
Give thanks to God on high.
“Hail, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!”
They ever cry.
Hail, Abr’ham’s God and mine!
I join the heav’nly lays:
All might and majesty are Thine
And endless praise!