II.
|
SCRIPTURAL STUDY.
|
|
C.
|
JESUS IS EVERLASTING. 8:56-59
|
1:1
|
1.
|
Jesus, who was In The Beginning and who made all things, even before Abraham was, took upon the Seed of
Abraham and became flesh as him, walking among men.
(
Heb.2:16,
1:14.)
|
Heb.11:13
|
2.
|
Abraham, with an eye of faith and revelation from God, looked forward in time to the future day of the
Cross for his redemption (as did Job and every other righteous Jew of the Old Covenant). The Scripture
is silent as to when and how he saw Christ's day. The Jews see in Genesis 15 God revealing to him
the future promises fulfilled, thus Abraham walked in surety by faith.
|
Heb.11:17-19
vs.56
|
3.
|
It is my personal belief that by his already established faith and obedience to God that he offered up Isaac
and was able to see the future day of final atonement for man's sin. Abraham's faith was sufficient for his
only son's resurrection for future fulfillment of God's previous promises (as with God and His only Son).
This was a most perfect type, or figure, shown to him (and subsequently for all his descendants' beliefs,
even these of Jesus' day) -- "and he saw it and was glad."
|
vs.57
|
4.
|
Still seeing Jesus through natural eyes, these present day descendants of Abraham could not see what their
father saw by faith -- thus not seeing is not believing, the carnal eye deceiving.
|
vs.58
|
5.
|
Having now exhausted all means of speaking to their understanding, through signs (miracles),
parables, scripture exposition, etc., He openly and directly declares His Eternal Existence and Deity
(so there can be no misunderstanding). This is the conclusion they should have drawn, but He has to
speak it to them Himself.
|
vs.59
|
6.
|
They are enraged, and reach for the stones (likely laid aside for the Temple's ongoing restoration) they
have desired for over a year. They have heard enough! But, God has other plans for another day.
|
III.
|
CONCLUDING COMMENTS.
|
|
A.
|
As with the Bread Discourse to the Galileans who rejected Him after failing to
comprehend His spiritual teaching to them (Ch. 6), this has equally been
a hard teaching to the Pharisees -- but as the other, one made so plain they should
have grasped it. It was rejected as well. As a matter of conscience, each man left
off their present course of action, and went his own way -- some as we have already
suggested, embracing Him in their hearts in the privacy of their own homes, while
others continuing in their conspiracy to take Him for their own selfish ends.
|
|
B.
|
In Ch.9, John will show us Jesus demonstrating fully Himself as The Light of the
World in giving sight to the blind man from birth. This will be another sign for the
unseeing and unbelieving Pharisees.
|
|
C.
|
In Ch.10, He will again speak (this time more fully) to the Only Door through which man
must enter the kingdom after receiving the Light which leads his way that was introduced in
3:5,21.
And again, they will attempt to stone Him!
|
|
D.
|
May our hearts always be such that our eyes may see the Master's continued
presence and teaching to us, that we may be found faithfully abiding in Him,
and His Word.
|
