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Lent Day 11


Scripture Reading

John 8:51-58


For a few days we have looked at how the blessing of Abraham was the coming of Christ to all people for salvation. We are called to have faith like Abraham, to believe that God had a redemptive plan for us since the fall of Adam and Eve. God's plan for our salvation is woven through scripture from the very beginning. John recounts a conversation between Christ and the people who were following him and listening to his teaching. Like many times before, many of the Jews did not believe Christ. They accused him of being demon-possessed, crazy, and a liar. They could not see that the man who stood before them was the fulfillment of the promises made to their father, Abraham. They were unwilling to hear Jesus says, "Before Abraham was born, I AM." You can imagine the horror on their faces as they remembered God's words to Moses when he called him to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt or the words he used when he gave the Ten Commandments, "Tell the people, I AM." This man that stood before them claimed to be God. They rejected him and began to throw stones at him. These people did not accept Christ for who he was--God in the flesh. 


Have we rejected Christ? Have we been unable to make him Lord or our life? The season of Lent allows us to remember that Christ was fully human, one who can feel our pain, understand our sorrow and empathize with all the good and bad of the daily grind of life. The incredible thing is that he was also fully God, the great I AM. Are we throwing stones at Christ or are we claiming him as our savior and allowing him to be the master of our life? 


Prayer: God, help me to fully comprehend the mystery of the Incarnation, that you took on human flesh in order to redeem me. You and you alone are I AM. Give me strength to boldly proclaim his truth in a world that denies the possibility of absolute truth. May I be found as faithful as Moses, your humble servant. Amen.

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