Before Abraham Was, I AM

John 8 opens with an account that shows both Jesus' mercy and His holiness. Leaders dragged a woman before Jesus, not because they cared about righteousness, but to trap Him. Jesus wrote on the ground and then said, He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone. Their own consciences convicted them, and they left one by one. Jesus, who alone had the right to judge, said, Neither do I condemn you. Go your way. From now on, sin no more. Grace came first, and then the call to a new life. (Some of the earliest copies of John do not include this story, but many Christians believe it records a real event that shows Jesus' mercy.)

Background: Jewish writings tell us that during this feast great lamps were lit in the temple courts. In John, Jesus said, I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life. Jesus said He was from above and His listeners were from below. Unless they believed that I AM, they would die in their sins.

Jesus promised that those who remain in His word are truly His disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. The leaders claimed freedom because they were Abraham's descendants. But Jesus said sin makes everyone a slave, and only the Son can truly set people free. Abraham rejoiced to see Jesus' day. Then Jesus said, before Abraham came into existence, I AM. This is the name God gave Moses at the burning bush. The leaders understood He was claiming to be God and picked up stones, but Jesus hid Himself and left the temple.