Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: April 10, 2025

Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent

Scripture Text: John 8:51-59

Jesus said to the Jews:

"Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death." So, the Jews said to him, "Now we are sure that you are possessed. Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, 'Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.' Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? Or the prophets, who died? Who do you make yourself out to be?"

Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, 'He is our God.' You do not know him, but I know him. And if I should say that I do not know him, I would be like you a liar. But I do know him and I keep his word. Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad."

So, the Jews said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM." So, they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel text for today continues Jesus’ dialogue with those questioning His identity and authority. Jesus’ promise of life in abundance is rejected as the listeners cannot understand His promise that “whoever keeps my world will never see death.” His critics do not know what we know – Jesus’ death was followed by His resurrection – Jesus’ sacrifice on Calvary and His resurrection for our redemption conquered sin and death. Jesus continued to stress His relationship with the Almighty Father, with God, and when he ultimately refers to himself as “I AM”, the listeners reject Him.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Who is Jesus? Who do I say Jesus is? What am I willing to do to foster my relationship with Him?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, as we ponder your great love for us most perfectly revealed and expressed in your beloved Son’s life, death and resurrection, we seek to more perfectly live as You created us to live and as He calls us to live. Send your Spirit to infuse our minds with understanding and our hearts with loving acceptance. Grant that we may be willing to walk in Jesus’ footsteps because we know that He will lead us home to You and to life in abundance. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.