He Is Greater Than Our Father Abraham

By Mary Vee
John 8 

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee. View from the Mount of Olives facing
the Temple area

My name is Peter, I am a disciple of Jesus. 

The Feast of the Tabernacle is coming to a close. The other disciples and I are standing in the temple courts again today, listening to Jesus teach. 

Photo by Mary Vee, The top of
the Mount of Olives today.

Anytime crowds gather near Jesus, the Pharisees quickly find there way near the front. Then, as Jesus speaks, they whisper among themselves before asking questions. Even I could see the purpose of their questions was to trap Jesus. Today, they have been especially cruel with their words. For example, a few minutes ago one said, "Aren't we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?"

See?

Jesus said, "I am not possed by a demon, but I honor my Father. You dishonor me. I'm not looking for any glory, but there is one who seeks it. And he is the judge.  I speak the truth. If anyone keeps my word, he will never see death."

The Pharisee leaders squinted in anger. Some raised their fist. "This is our proof," they said to the crowd then turned to Jesus. "Now we know you are demon possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that if anyone keeps your word, he will never see death. Do you think you are greater than our father Abraham? He died. So did the prophets. Who do you think you are?"

I would have liked to answer their question, but I wouldn't have done it as well as Jesus. So, I waited.

Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, it will mean nothing. My Father, the one you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. Though you do not know him, I know him. If this wasn't true, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day. He saw it and was glad."

Photo by Mary Vee
On top of the Mount of Olives,
the Disciples Prayer is
posted in many languages.

Well, this certainly made the Pharisees angrier. They raised their voices. One burst out, "You are not fifty years old and you claim to have seen Abraham!"

Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I am."

That was when the Pharisees became violent. They picked up stones and brought their arms back to throw them at him, but Jesus hid himself. He slipped away from the temple grounds where they couldn't see him.

Jesus wasn't afraid. He once told the other disciples and me he did His Father's work every day. This was not his time. 

I didn't understand what He meant at this time. But later, I did. 

What happened next? Next week I will tell you more. 

 Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.