Jesus used a particular phrase in this week’s passages that unlocked a profound truth, I am he.
In John 8:21-29, we are presented with either taking Jesus as the Messiah or not taking him at all. Unlike other religions who see Jesus as a good teacher, we are faced with the eternal weight of recognizing that we will die in our sin apart from Jesus being our Savior.
This week we are challenged to believe that Jesus doesn’t go through all that he does to get anything other than you. That holds massive implications for your eternity as well as your “right now”.
Let’s read together.
Grow Together
Read this from the Bible together:
John 8:21-29
21 So he said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.” 22 So the Jews said, “Will he kill himself, since he says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” 23 He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” 25 So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning. 26 I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.” 27 They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father. 28 So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. 29 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.”
Some key statements and questions put forward that are important for us to talk about…
I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins. Believing and knowing Jesus is the only way to be set free from the law of sin and death. What do you think Jesus means when he says “die in your sins”?
When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he… Jesus refers to Moses in this passage and his lifting up of the serpent in the wilderness that healed the Israelites. In what ways have you lifted up the Son of Man and experienced healing from him yourself? If you haven’t, in what ways can we pray for healing?
And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone… To be a follower of Jesus is to experience his presence at all times. Jesus could come and die on our behalf because he knew he wasn’t left alone in his suffering. Do you believe God is always with you in your suffering? Why or why not?
Next Steps
”When we invest sin into our lives we reap death in return.” Jesus takes sin seriously. So much so that he died in place of the death we deserved. Are there areas where you are continuing to invest in sin in your life? Share an area of struggle where you need his grace.
”Every step Jesus took brought him closer to the cross.” In Hebrews 12 we read that Jesus went joyfully to the cross so he could spend eternity with you. Some of us take that for granted and some of us feel unworthy of that. Where do you fall in that spectrum?
”You can’t undo the sin problem on your own. Jesus can help us develop deep satisfaction and purpose in life because our sins are forgiven.” Does your life reflect this truth or are you still attempting to fix yourself? How would you like to grow in dependence on Jesus for your worthiness other than rely on your own strength?
