Not Fifty and Have Seen Abraham? - John 8:57

The apostle John wrote how Jesus told the Jewish people who were questioning Him, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad”, and in chapter eight and verse fifty-seven of his book John shared how the religious leaders tell Jesus, “you are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” where we read:

Then said the Jews unto him, You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?

The verse reads, “Then said the Jews unto him, ...” John began with the words, “then said the Jews” which means “uttered, declared, proclaimed and asked the Jewish people” “unto him” or “to Jesus” the following question. John shared how the Jewish people responded to Jesus saying “Abraham rejoiced to see my day” by making the following statement and asking the following question.

The verse goes on to say, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” John continued with the words, “you are not yet fifty years old” which means “you, Jesus, have not lived for fifty years”, “and have you seen Abraham” or “and have you, Jesus, observed, beheld, looked upon and known Abraham which means father of a multitude and is the founder of the Jewish nation”? John shared how the Jewish people noticed that Jesus was not even “fifty years old”, (He actually was in His early thirties at this time), and they wondered if He “saw” “Father Abraham”.

When we consider John's words in this verse, we learn how the Jewish people confronting Jesus were continuing to “observe” things only with “physical” eyes and understanding. Jesus knew “Abraham” experienced a “physical death”, however, “Abraham” believed God when He was promised, “And in your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because you have obeyed my voice” (See Genesis 22:18). God loves people, and He desires to have a personal relationship with everyone through His Son Jesus. When they submit their lives to Him, they will be forgiven of their sins and be granted everlasting life with God.

Next time John shares how Jesus tells the religious leaders, “before Abraham was, I am”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".