How does understanding John 8:28 strengthen your faith in Jesus' divinity? Setting the Scene: The Context of John 8:28 • Jesus is speaking in the temple courts during the Feast of Tabernacles, confronting religious leaders who challenge His authority. • The dialogue centers on His identity—whether He is merely a teacher or truly the Son of God. • John 8:28 anchors the discussion in a prophetic statement that links Jesus’ coming crucifixion with unmistakable proof of His divine nature. The Phrase “When you have lifted up the Son of Man” • “Lifted up” points directly to the cross (John 12:32-33). • It also recalls the bronze serpent lifted in the wilderness (Numbers 21:8-9), a foreshadowing of Christ bearing sin for salvation (John 3:14-15). • Recognizing the cross in this phrase shows that Jesus knew—and willingly embraced—His redemptive mission long before it happened. “You Will Know that I AM He”: Echoes of the Divine Name • “I AM” (Greek: egō eimi) ties back to God’s self-revelation in Exodus 3:14, “I AM WHO I AM.” • Jesus uses the same construction in John 8:24 and John 8:58, claiming equality with Yahweh. • By predicting that His crucifixion will reveal this truth, Jesus links His sacrificial death directly to His eternal identity. Unity of Son and Father: Doing Nothing on His Own • Jesus states, “I do nothing on My own, but speak exactly what the Father has taught Me.” • This reflects perfect harmony within the Godhead (John 5:19-23; John 10:30). • The Son’s words and works are not independent acts of a mere prophet; they are divine expressions of the Father’s will. Fulfilled Prophecy and Resurrected Proof • After the crucifixion, the resurrection becomes the ultimate vindication (Acts 2:32-36). • Old Testament prophecies such as Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 align precisely with the events Jesus foretold. • Witnesses saw the risen Lord (1 Corinthians 15:3-8), confirming that the One lifted up is indeed the eternal “I AM.” How This Builds Unshakeable Confidence in Jesus’ Deity • Foreknowledge: Only God can predict His own death and resurrection with pinpoint accuracy. • Self-Revelation: Jesus openly identifies Himself with the divine name, leaving no room for Him to be labeled merely a moral teacher. • Harmony within the Trinity: The Son’s total agreement with the Father shows co-equality, not subordination of essence (Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:15-17). • Objective Evidence: The historical reality of the cross and empty tomb grounds faith in verifiable events rather than abstract ideas. Living Out the Truth Today • Rest in the certainty that Jesus is fully God and fully trustworthy—His promises carry the authority of the great “I AM.” • Let the cross keep you humble: the Almighty chose sacrificial love to reveal Himself. • Share confidently: the same Jesus who foretold His lifting up still draws people to Himself (John 12:32). “So Jesus said to them, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He and that I do nothing on My own, but speak exactly what the Father has taught Me.’” (John 8:28) |
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