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Jesus and Abraham
48The people told Jesus, “We were right to say that you are a Samaritan and that you have a demon in you!”
49Jesus answered, “I don't have a demon in me. I honor my Father, and you refuse to honor me. 50I don't want honor for myself. But there is one who wants me to be honored, and he is also the one who judges. 51I tell you for certain that if you obey my words, you will never die.”
52Then the people said, “Now we are sure that you have a demon. Abraham is dead, and so are the prophets. How can you say that no one who obeys your words will ever die? 53Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”
54Jesus replied, “If I honored myself, it would mean nothing. My Father is the one who honors me. You claim that he is your God, 55even though you don't really know him. If I said I didn't know him, I would be a liar, just like all of you. But I know him, and I do what he says. 56Your father Abraham was really glad to see me.”
57“You are not even 50 years old!” they said. “How could you have seen Abraham?”
58Jesus answered, “I tell you for certain that even before Abraham was, I was, and I am.” 59The people picked up stones to kill Jesus, but he hid and left the temple.
Reflect
In most of my readings about this passage the person commentating focuses upon the claim to divinity that Jesus makes in using the sacred name “I am” to describe himself before Abraham existed. But there is another intriguing insight that comes from this passage.
In response to the accusation by the crowd that Jesus is demonic, Jesus replies by saying he honours his Father. Implicit in his reasoning is that honouring God rules out demonic presence. Subsequently, when he tells the crowd that they were not honouring him, he implies that it is they who are under the influence of the demonic.
Honouring God and exalting the Son keeps demonic influence at bay. Honour is the value we place on others by our actions. The value, worth and importance of the one we honour is proven by the service of our lives. This is why Jesus focuses on obeying his words and not simply believing them (v 51). Obeying is an act of honour. God wants us to obey not only so that his purposes will be accomplished, but also so that we are protected from the influence of demonic forces. Honour God with your obedience and you are defended from the demonic!
By giving his Son for us, God has honoured us, valued us at an infinite price. At what price have you valued God’s Son?
Respond
Triune God,
You alone are worthy of honour. Grant us hearts that glorify you, lips that praise you and lives that honour you in all we do. We ask this so that all of creation may know your worth and value. We pray this in your Son’s worthy name, Amen.
Merv Budd
Merv Budd is Sr. Minister at North Burlington Baptist church and the National Director of the Equipping Evangelists (E²). Merv has served as a missionary with Operation Mobilization in India and Nepal and he holds a Master’s of Divinity degree from Regent College. He is presently working on his Doctor of Practical Theology Degree from McMaster Divinity College. He has a passion to see all people given an opportunity to put their trust in Jesus Christ. He is married to Lisa and is the father of Josiah and Danielle.