Reflection: John 8:51-59

Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent – John 8:51-59

Jesus is dialoguing with the Jews. Jesus tells them that if they truly keep his word, they will never see death. Imagine how astounded everyone must have been at Jesus’ words. Never see death? What was Jesus thinking? Everyone on earth understood that at some point in the future, they would die. This was the natural course of life!

Naturally, the Jews thought Jesus was crazy. Did he truly believe that he would not die? Did he actually think that he was greater than Abraham or the prophets? All of the prophets, great though they were, died. Why did Jesus think he was different? Did Jesus believe that he was greater than the prophets?

When Jesus responds to the Jews, he does not respond to their criticism of him. Rather Jesus talks about his Father. He tells them that His Father is the one who will glorify him. Jesus also says that even though the Jews think they know God, they actually do not know God. Jesus, however, has a deep relationship with God. Then Jesus goes too far. He tells the Jews that his father Abraham had rejoiced to see his day. His listeners were astounded and disbelieving. Jesus truly was crazy!

The Jews responded by telling Jesus that he wasn’t even 50 years old. How could he possibly have seen Abraham? Jesus simply responded to them: Before Abraham came to be, I AM! And the Jews began to gather stones to throw at Jesus! Jesus simply and quietly walked out of the temple!

Put yourself in the Jews’ shoes. If anyone said to you what Jesus said to the Jews, would you believe them? Or would you think they were delusional and perhaps had gone off their rocker? Most likely, we would think they were crazy or fanatical. After all, to the Jews, Jesus simply was another itinerant preacher. Why should they think that Jesus was above the norm of preachers? After all, he sounded pretty crazy when he said that he existed before Abraham. Talk about rubbish! That was impossible!

Clearly, the Jews’ hearts were closed to Jesus. True, they didn’t believe him. However, they were also frightened of the power and influence he had with many of the people. Jesus was greatly loved and admired. Jesus was undermining the Jews’ credibility with the people. Jesus was becoming a significant threat to the power and influence of the Jewish officials!

Today might be a good day for us to examine our hearts. Do we have places in our hearts and minds that we have closed to Jesus? We may have closed minds or hearts to Jesus because in some way life is painful and a struggle and we blame Jesus for this reality.

What do we believe about Jesus? Have we distanced from him? Or do we continue to believe and trust Jesus? Or do we simply take him for granted? Today I invite you to stop and reflect on who Jesus is to you at this time in your life. Are you satisfied with the relationship you have with Jesus? If not, how would you like it to change? Then, will you take some steps to reestablish a close relationship with Jesus? Jesus is right beside us, waiting for us!