Thursday, March 12, 2026

Opening Scripture

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” Ephesians 1:17-21

Opening Prayer

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation! O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation. All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near; praise Him in glad adoration. Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth. Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth. Hast thou not seen how thy desires e’er have been granted in what He ordaineth. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

John 8:48-59

The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?”

“I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.”

At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. 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.

Reflection  

In today’s passage, the religious leaders continue to challenge Jesus’ identity and authority. This heated debate in the temple courts during the festival was no doubt witnessed by a large crowd of curious pilgrims.

Although the religious leaders were unwilling and unable to grasp what Jesus was saying, “Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him” (John 8:30). Perhaps these religious leaders were wrong about Jesus. Perhaps Jesus really was who He claimed to be.

Unable to trap Jesus in His words, the authorities are reduced to name-calling. Casting slurs was an act of desperation on their part. Wasn’t Jesus a half-breed Samaritan heretic? If so, no one should be listening to Him. Wasn’t Jesus a demon-possessed madman? If so, no one should believe anything He said!

Rather than defending Himself, Jesus pushes forward: “I tell you the truth, whoever obeys my word will never see death!” Of course, Jesus is referring to the eternal life that comes only through faith in Him. In typical literal fashion, though, the religious leaders sense the advantage. They play the Abraham card. Game over!

Even Abraham – the father of their faith, the best man who ever lived – died, along with all the prophets. Who do you think you are? Do you believe you’re greater than Abraham? Impossible!

In a classic spin move, Jesus sees their Abraham card and raises them! “Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.”

The religious leaders are thrown completely off balance. How can that be?

Jesus brings this tense, lengthy debate to a close with the powerful claim: “Before Abraham was born, I am!”

Flourishing Habit

Meaning and Purpose

The fundamental challenge in this whole exchange is the Jewish leaders’ inability to grasp the reality of the spiritual realm. Jesus is speaking about the transcendent and eternal. The authorities are focused on the immediate and material.

Unwilling and unable to comprehend that Jesus is not just the promised Messiah, but the very Son of God, they argue from a limited physical perspective and fail to comprehend the true scope and magnitude of the Kingdom of God.

As such, they are stubbornly debating the only One who actually knows what He’s talking about! In their ignorance and unbelief, the religious leaders attempt to tell God what He can and cannot do.

Do you ever try to limit God?

We can try to “limit” God through unbelief, disobedience, or a lack of trust. We can try to limit God by our lack of wisdom or understanding. We can try to limit God because of spiritual immaturity or worldliness. We can try to limit God due to our conflicting plans and desires.

Ask God to expand your faith. Ask Him to open your heart and mind to the endless possibilities of “his incomparably great power for us who believe.”

Remember: Nothing changes until something changes!