And they are in verses 24 and 28. Believing that Jesus is “I AM!” And knowing that Jesus is “I AM!”
“Jesus here claims to be the Very Presence of God!”
Verse 25 … “Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.” Jesus just said, “My Teaching is My Person!” Or “My Words are My Identity!”
God’s main “Meeting Place” … the Cross of Calvary! “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth (crucified), will draw all men unto me.” John 12:32, all sinners who believe in Jesus are saved there!
In the Synoptic Gospels, Jesus predicted His upcoming Death and Burial and Resurrection three times! Mark 8:31, Mark 9:31 and then in Mark 10:32-34! In the Gospel of John Jesus is “lifted up” three times, a revelation of His Death on Calvary! John 3:14-15 then John 8:28 here and then one more time in John 12:32, as quoted above.
Here’s a “Key” Old Testament Verse that might have had a great impact on John as He presented Jesus in his Gospel …
“Isaiah 43:10 … “Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I AM HE: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.”
If Jesus is not the Son of God, His claiming to be Such would constitute blasphemy and invite God’s fierce Wrath! As in … “Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I AM, and none else beside me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children. But these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine enchantments.” Isaiah 47:8-9
Jesus deriving His Words from the Father … “The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me.” John 14:10
If these “bits” of Truth interest you, you might want to watch the whole Lesson, video Bible Class …
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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