Today's Gospel in Art - Before Abraham was, I am

Scenes from the Story of Abraham. English linen needlework panel 17th C © Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Gospel of 2nd April 2020 - John 8:51-59

Very truly, I tell you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.' The Jews said to him, 'Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, and so did the prophets; yet you say, "Whoever keeps my word will never taste death." Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets also died. Who do you claim to be?' Jesus answered, 'If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, he of whom you say, "He is our God", though you do not know him. But 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 him and I keep his word. Your ancestor Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day; he saw it and was glad.' Then the Jews said to him, 'You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?' Jesus said to them, 'Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.' So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

Reflection on the English Needlework Panel

The beautiful 17th-century English needlework panel depicts some scenes of the Story of Abraham, as recounted in the Book of Genesis. The central scene shows Abraham being informed by a host of angels that his wife Sarah will bear him a son, despite her advanced age. We can also see Abraham banishing his servant Hagar and her son by Abraham, Ishmael (lower left corner), and Abraham's attempted sacrifice of Sarah's son Isaac, the act he was ordered by God to perform as a test of his faith (upper right corner). Jews regard Abraham as the first Patriarch of the Jewish people. He was the first person to teach the idea that there was only one God (before Abraham, people believed in many gods). So when Jesus states in our Gospel reading that 'before Abraham ever was, I Am', the Jewish audience would have found such a statement totally surprising.

In the lead up to Holy Week, Jesus continues to reveal His true identity. Here Jesus declares Himself to be God, by stating that He lived before Abraham lived, thus revealing His divine nature. This is another one of the great "I am's"of Jesus. We saw a few yesterday as well. We feel the tensions building up towards the crucifixion. For making claims such as today's, the Jewish rulers consider Jesus a very real threat to their power and their authority. They cannot let Him continue to teach and attract more and more followers. Something has to be done about Him… Jesus knows that the time is drawing near, and so His teachings become more and more intense, straight-to-the-point and urgent…

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