“The great thing to remember is that though our feelings come and go God's love for us does not.”

“My argument against God was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. But how had I got this idea of just and unjust? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. What was I comparing this universe with when I called it unjust?” - C. S. Lewis (1898 – 1963 Novelist & Lay Theologian)

Gospel Text: (JN 8:51-59)
Jesus said to the Jews:
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever keeps my word will never see death.”
So the Jews said to him,
“Now we are sure that you are possessed.
Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say,
‘Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.’
Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died?
Or the prophets, who died?
Who do you make yourself out to be?”
Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing;
but it is my Father who glorifies me,
of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’
You do not know him, but I know him.
And if I should say that I do not know him,
I would be like you a liar.
But I do know him and I keep his word.
Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day;
he saw it and was glad.”
So the Jews said to him,
“You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?”
Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
before Abraham came to be, I AM.”
So they picked up stones to throw at him;
but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area.

By Jesus saying, “I am”— a statement which was reserved only for Yahweh to make — Jesus identified himself with Almighty God (Jn 8:58)! The claim so infuriated the Jewish people that they picked up stones to kill him.

We have quite a different dilemma today. Unlike first-century Jews, many people today don’t think too much about Jesus’ identity. They see him as little more than a noble man or a doer of good deeds. And as a result, their vision of life is sadly limited.

Christianity is much more than a collection of high moral norms, as can be perfect love or even forgiveness. Christianity is faith in one person, Jesus Christ, who is True God and True Man.

Hearing Jesus declare himself “I am” should stir our hearts with the assurance that God knows every moment of our lives and that He is with us in every situation. “He-who-is” never lets us out of his sight —and how wonderful that is! Even when we stumble in sin and disbelief, Jesus is ready to lead us back into his Father’s embrace.

What love God has for us!