THURSDAY, FIFTH WEEK OF LENT- YEAR-B

I Reading: Genesis 17:3-9: You shall become the father of a multitude of nations.

Gospel: John 8:51-59: Your father Abraham rejected to think that he would see my Day.

Man’s Escape from Death, Jn 8:48-59

This is an astonishing claim-a person does not have to die (v.51). We shall all escape death.

1.     A harsh insult-Jesus is a Samaritan and demon possessed (v.48-50)

a.     Jesus’ strong denial

b.    Jesus’ purpose: to honour God

c.      Jesus’ honour is God’s concern

2.     The great revelation: Man can escape death (v.51-53)

a.     The condition: “if...”

b.    The reaction to Jesus’ promise: A charge that He was demon possessed

1)    The charge: All godly men have died

2)    The question: Who do you claim to be?

3.     The great authority of Jesus to promise deliverance from death (v.54-59)

a.     He was honoured by God

1)    The God often professed by men

2)    The God unknown by so many men

b.    He personally knew God and obeyed His Word

c.      He was the One that Abraham hoped for and actually saw

1)    The Messiah

2)    The Jews misinterpreted Jesus’ claim

d.    He was the great “I Am”

1)    Before Abraham

2)    The reaction against Him: rejection

Thought: Why would God come to earth as a Man? The answer is clearly stated: to bring the message of God to the world, the glorious gospel (Jn 8:31-32). However, note the reaction of men to God’s presence. They rejected and opposed Him and tried to get rid of Him. They wanted nothing to do with Him, lest His claims lay hold of their lives and they be forced to change the way they lived. (Lk 6:11; 19:14; Jn 7:7).

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