The incident in bold above is from John’s eyewitness first century biography of Jesus. If one reads it quickly, it becomes plain that a contrast is being drawn between the man who uses “I” and the people described by him as “you”. So often are the “I” and “you” contrasted that this may be the key to it all.
First, “I am going away” is contrasted with “You will seek me and you will die in your sin.” The contrast is then repeated slightly differently, “Where I am going” is followed by, “You cannot come.” If this man – the “I” - was really going back to his Father in heaven (through the cross and resurrection) then his words here were terribly serious for his listeners. |
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Second, “I am from above” is contrasted with, “You are from below.” Again, this is repeated slightly differently, “I am not of this world” is followed by, “You are of this world.” This seems to confirm the fact that this man, the “I”, is indeed going away to his Father in heaven. But it also adds another dimension – this “I” came from there. Although he is a man, he is not “of this world.”
Third, in order to make sure that he has been understood by his hearers, the “I” repeats the first contrast. “I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am you will die in your sins.” But what do you make of this: – “unless you believe that I am”? It’s contrasted with, “you will die in your sins.” It seems that, in fact, the “I” is providing a ray of hope for his hearers. They aren’t condemned – without any hope whatsoever – “to die in your sins.” There seems to be a way out, a way to heaven.
Fourth, because the “I” has said, cryptically, “unless you believe that I am”, the “you” (seemingly rightly) ask, “Who are you?” “(Seemingly rightly)” because, in the Jews' ancient archives of Scriptures, the name of Almighty God was clearly recorded, around 1350 BC as “I AM WHO I AM” and Moses was then told to say, “I AM has sent me”. Jesus confirms to them that his earlier answer to them about their "Who are you?" remained unaltered.
Fifth, the “I” is contrasted with the “you” in the context of the truth about them and about “the world” of which they are a part. – the truth which is known both to him and to the one who "sent him into the world" and who “is true.”. “I have many things concerning you to say and to judge, moreover he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.” This man, the “I”, together with the “one who sent him into the world”, intends to say, to judge and to declare to the world many things. And those things are “concerning you” – concerning his hearers. What a contrast between him and his hearers – between the “I” and the “you”. |
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Finally, the biggest contrast is disclosed. “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am, and I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” What did the “I” mean by his reference to “when you have lifted up”? The Jews would, within a few months achieve the “lifting up” of Jesus on a Roman cross. And that would be "pleasing to" the one who sent the "I" into the world.
That must be the greatest contrast between the “I” and the “you”. Jesus knew they would “lift him up” on that cross – and he would willingly submit to them, to the “you”. Why? Because in that way he would be able to provide to them – if they wished – a way to go to be with him where he was going. In absolute and total contrast the “you” killed Jesus – for their own ends. |
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