In verse 23 of this chapter, the Jews ask Jesus, “Who are you?” Finally, all of these verses later, he gives them a clear and unmistakable answer. “I am,” he says. He does not say, I am … Jesus; or I am … a man, but simply, “I am.”
Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.”
“You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”
“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.
John 8: 56-59
When Moses first meets God at the burning bush, he asks Him his name:
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?”
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.’”
(Exodus 3: 13-14)
By picking up stones to throw at Jesus the Jews are confessing that they understand full well who he is claiming to be. They just don’t like that idea very much…
Q: How do you deal with truth claims that make you feel uncomfortable?
I trust that God knows best, and try to understand His ways.
Thanks Robster!
That is a great response!!
One thing I get from any truth claim is the challenge to return to my faith roots. Why do I believe in God in the first place? Why do I believe the Bible to be His Truth? The fundamentals never change. The Creation points to the Creator, and there is no other book on the planet like the Bible, nor will there ever be.
Uncomfortable Truth Claims: I don’t try and kill anyone… at least there is that. When the truth claim is clearly taught in the Bible I do my utmost to honorably submit to it. There have been several that have been difficult to do, ones that require significant life change or at least change in my beliefs/teaching.
So one that I have struggled with is the biblical commands about church leadership and the gender roles in that. I understand and in no way think God is wrong to make the rules for church governance, but I do find it difficult. Women are better at ministering to other women than I can ever be. I also think they help bring another perspective that is helpful in guiding and leading. I honestly put the gender ‘restrictions’ at the least I possibly can while following the clear teaching of scripture. It is clear in scripture that the spiritual leader role of Elders/Overseers is a male role in the church – I can not in good conscience change my stance on that. I try to expand female leadership/involvement underneath that authority as much as possible. One of my big check boxes for a church is having a healthy & active group of deaconesses. Anyway, the elder leadership role is one I have always felt a little uncomfortable with, but also see that it is clearly taught in scripture.
(I know this can be a heated topic and it is on the internet, so please be understanding of my heart).