John 8:57-58

In our verses for today the “fullness of the Godhead in bodily form” rightly declares: “I myself am He who is” – in calling Himself “I AM”. It is a distinct assertion of His existence before all creation. Of Jesus Paul writes in Colossians:

16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. Col 1:16 (NIV)

“I AM” was not an unfamiliar term to His Jewish hearers hence the cavil and reproach by the rabble in the verses following. It was by this Name which God had revealed Himself to the Jews when He sent His servant Moses to them:

13 Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?" 14 God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" Ex 3:13-14 (NIV)

The timelessness of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit is clearly put forth in the Scriptures – continuous Beings irrespective of time. Their ever present existence is a vital Biblical truth for us to treasure. John tells us:

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. John 1:1-2 (NIV)

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (NIV)

We also find the following Truth in Genesis:

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Gen 1:1-2 (NIV)

The prophet Isaiah clearly states the ever existence of God as well:

10 "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. 11 I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior. 12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed--I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "that I am God. 13 Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?" Isaiah 43:10-13 (NIV)

8 "Remember this, fix it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels. 9 Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. 10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. Isaiah 46:8-10 (NIV)

Is it not interesting that these hearers of Jesus’ Words were so dearly devout in their religiosity yet all the while remaining deaf to the Truth? Impenetrable harden hearts formulated, perhaps, by the delusions of our own minds are frightening indeed. We must beware that we ever believe the false notion we know everything there is to know about God. Our thinking and our understanding of God will never be complete until we are face to face with our Creator. He does not fit into our pretty little boxes all tied up in ribbons and placed on shelves for Sunday gatherings. God will not dwell there. He is so far above our thoughts and ways both in holiness and Supremacy. He reveals Himself to us steadily in portions we can assimilate as we seek Him with all our hearts and are subsequently obedient to what He shows. We are to search the Scriptures. We are to know the Truth. We are to seek to know Him. We are to seek Him with all our hearts and our souls and our minds never leaving ourselves unaccountable to others who help us keep to the right path lest we begin to stray.

“Every revelation of God is a demand, and the way to knowledge of God is by obedience.”
William Temple

“Behold, the Heaven of heavens cannot contain thee, and thou sayest, ‘Come ye all unto me.’” Thomas a Kempis