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During our study in the book of John, we have come across many people who question the true identity of Jesus. From Nathaniel to Nicodemus to the woman at the well, the key issue of all John has recorded is this: Who is Jesus?

In fact, John even reveals the importance of this issue as his reason for writing: “...but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” [John 20:31] Discovering who Jesus really is remains the most significant question that anyone will ever face.

In today’s passage, several of the Jewish leaders who remain antagonistic toward Jesus bring yet another series of questions to him; questions designed to undermine his authority and discredit Jesus among his followers. The way Jesus responds reveals his true identity...

1. A question of integrity. [8:48-51]

Q. Are we not right?

a. You are a Samaritan.

b. You are possessed by a demon.

The Jews unleash a nasty, personal attack on Jesus. They bring up the nature of his illegitimate birth out of wedlock, and claim that his power comes not from God, but from the devil. They very character of Christ is being challenged.

These attacks are the same attacks that God has always endured. Even the very first attack on God, in the Garden of Eden [Genesis 3], was a question of his character and trustworthiness. Satan wants to cloud our perception of God as honest and truthful because it breeds doubt and disobedience.

R. I honor my Father.

a. I have no demon.

b. I don’t seek my own glory.

c. If anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.

Jesus doesn’t respond to the personal attacks except to keep the conversation centered around God. He refuses to get bogged down in pointless conversations about his heritage. Why? Because Jesus is more concerned about the souls of people than defending himself. That’s something we can learn from.

Christ also promises that those who keep his word will never taste death. He isn’t talking about the physical death of our bodies, but the resurrection to eternal life [John 5:24-29]. The Jews in this passage could not understand the truths being revealed to them from Jesus himself.

2. A question of importance. [8:52-56]

Q. Who do you think you are?

a. Are you greater than Abraham?

b. Are you greater than the prophets?

To the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, there was no one greater than Abraham and the prophets. And yet they ignored the message of those men: that a Messiah was coming to redeem his people from their sins.

Few of us would say that Abraham or the prophets are greater than Jesus. But is there anything in our hearts that we esteem more highly than him? When we take an honest look at our lives, what takes priority? What exactly are we investing in?  

R. I know God.

a. My Father glorifies me.

b. You claim to know him, but you are lying.

1. I keep his word.

2. Abraham rejoiced in my day.

As always, the evidence of a person’s true beliefs and loyalties lies in their actions. Words are meaningless if they are not coupled with the fruit of similar conduct. 

And yet, we are not justified by our works. As Genesis 15 tells us, Abraham believed in God and his faith was credited to him as righteousness. Abraham rejoiced in the day of God, for when the life of his only son was demanded, God provided a substitute in Isaac’s place. God has done the same for us through his only Son, Jesus Christ.

3. A question of identity. [8:57-59]

Q. You have seen Abraham?

a. You aren’t old enough.

The issue isn’t one of Jesus’ age (though he was closer to thirty than fifty) but of authority. The Jewish elders assumed that their age gave them more authority than anyone younger. What they failed to realize is that there is no system of seniority or tenure in God’s design. Our years of faithful service will be rewarded by God in his own way; experience has value, but it does not equal authority.

R. Before Abraham was, I am.

For Jesus, the reality is what Paul tells us in his letter to the church at Philippi: “Christ Jesus...did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped…” [Philippians 2:6] Jesus the Son and God the Father have the exact same nature. If Jesus is not God, then his death on the cross is meaningless.

Jesus’ answer to the Jews hearkens back to Exodus 3, where God revealed himself to Moses as “I Am.” In no uncertain terms, Jesus was telling his listeners that he is God. They responded by trying to kill him...and eventually they did, never considering that his claims might be true.

Have you truly considered who Jesus is?