Note: This series is written as a first-person narrative to present Jesus in the context he walked in with the unknown disciple that narrates introducing my thoughts and sparking more ideas with his questions. Enjoy.
Jesus had just thrown down the gauntlet.
The Jews retorted, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?”
Calling someone a Samaritan is highly insulting.
“I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. I am not seeking glory for myself, but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.”
Only God could claim that.
At this, they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died, and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”
Thomas whispered, “No one can be greater than Abraham. He’s the father of us all.”
Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.”
“You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”
“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”
The divine title!
The crowd’s grumbling grew to a roar. They picked up stones to stone him.
“Time to go,” Peter said. We dispersed into the crowd and out of the city to avoid the mob’s violence.
John 8:48-51
A Ronin's Journey 