Let’s look into the argument behind this accusation. Months earlier the Judeans had decided to annihilate Jesus – rather like many Jersey folk have decided, at present, to exclude Jesus from their lives.
At this stage in their opposition to him they have publicly denied that it is their plan to annihilate him. He has responded by quietly stating that they are following their invisible destroyer “father” in one particular regard. This is that they are not willing or able to hear the clear messages of God. Who then was Jesus saying was the “father” of those intending to annihilate him?
Back in their national and family archives of the Judeans was a Book titled “Genesis” (“Beginning”). It’s now also the first book in Christian Bibles as well. In it is the record of the decision of Adam and Eve to reject the word of God. They were prompted to do this by a deceitful message, delivered to them through a serpent. The message was not only destructive of Adam and Eve; it was also intended to destroy the whole human race.
This invisible destroyer “father”, as recorded in that oldest book in the world, was determined to destroy human beings because human beings were the greatest and most wonderful creation of the LORD God. That “father” was a human-slayer from the beginning and also a successful deceiver from that time onwards.
That’s why, as indicated in red above, the AD 30 Judeans used the worst labels they could find to place upon Jesus – he was a bastard, a non-descendant of Abraham (“a Samaritan”) and demon possessed. That was their “right” statement.
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Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”
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What do you make of Jesus’ reply? It seems to me that he allowed their bile to pass into history – into a later judgment day. But then, amazingly, he offered and promised them – even these determined to annihilate him – a wonderful thing. Truly, truly, if any of them decided to keep his word, such would never see death – the death brought about by the invisible destroyer “father”.
The Judeans said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?”
The Judeans rejected Jesus’ offer and promise to them. They used his offer and promise of eternal life as evidence proving that he was a liar. Their (and his) physical earthly ancestor was Abraham (alive c. BC 2000). He (in their view) was dead. This Jesus must be a liar when he offered and promised eternal life to them.
When they asked him to state who he was making himself out to be, they were asking him to state that he was the LORD God. If he did (they longed for that) it would be direct evidence of lies - enough to condemn him to the death they intended for him.
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Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.”
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Was it by faith Abraham rejoiced in Jesus’ “day” – and then “saw it”?
So the Judeans said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
Another “Truly, truly” from Jesus. The “I AM” was – and is – prior to Abraham.
So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.
“Let’s annihilate him. Pronto.”
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