Gospel in Art: Before Abraham was, I am

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

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 21 March 2024
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 Needlework Panel

The beautiful 17th-century English needlework panel depicts some scenes from 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 (and his) 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).

In today's Gospel reading Jesus makes an extraordinary claim that leads the Jewish leaders to want to stone him, 'Before Abraham was, I am'. This claim of Jesus in the Gospel of John is in keeping with the opening line of that Gospel, 'In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God'. Jesus existed with God in the beginning, before the creation of the world. He was before Abraham was, indeed, before anything had come into being. Yet, the Word who was with God in the beginning became flesh. He became like us in all things, except sin. While on earth, he remained with God. Having returned to God through his death and resurrection, he remains with us.

In the lead up to Holy Week, Jesus continues to reveal his true identity. Here he declares himself to be God, by stating that he existed before Abraham lived, thus revealing his divine nature. This is another one of the great "I am" sayings of Jesus in which he clearly states who he is.

We feel the tensions building up now towards the crucifixion. Because Jesus made claims such as this one, the Jewish rulers consider him a very real threat to their power and 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….

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/john-8-51-59-2024/
Competition: The Laudamus Award 2024 for Sacred Art - www.indcatholicnews.com/news/49310