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Jesus and Abraham: The Conversation Continues (John 8:48-59)

 Jesus saying that his opponents were not "of God" didn't go over too well. In a time when demon possession was more recognized than it is today, "you have a demon" is pretty much the same as, "You're crazy."

Jesus denies that he has a demon, and speaks again about his relationship to the Father. What Jesus and St. John are doing is taking away the option of rejecting Jesus, and somehow worshiping the Father. Jesus says he does not seek his own glory, but that the Father does want to glorify Jesus.

Why is it that anyone who keeps the word of Jesus will never see death? It's because we receive eternal life by receiving Jesus, and eternal life is the opposite of death. Even when our bodies die, our souls will not.

It's actually a good question: "Are you greater than our father Abraham?" It's also a good idea to ask Jesus who he claims to be. As we read with an open mind and heart, we are actually having a conversation with Jesus about that question.

Jesus again says that he has no interest in glorifying himself. The glory he has is in a sense, glory that he has received from the Father. Jesus says that they do not know the God and Father they claim to worship.

He says that Abraham would have rejoiced to see Jesus there now, but he has seen it, in heaven. The opponents of Jesus actually ask another good question, because they know that the man standing before them is about 30, and Abraham lived more than 3000 years before this conversation took place. Even so, we remember that St. John has already told us that the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us. Jesus took on a human nature, but he is a divine Person. The way that Jesus answers shows this, because when Moses asked God what His name is, God said, "I am who I am." Some of the translations of that phrase are a bit odd, but the meaning is that God is faithful, and does not change. Jesus knows exactly what he is doing. Therefore, it's not surprising that his opponents tried to stone him, because if Jesus were wrong, he would be guilty of blasphemy. Somehow he avoids the trouble, on this occasion.

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