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“Aha, B!”

I went to the next – E…

“The first word is Be!”

Remember this scene from “A Christmas Story?”

Ralphie has listened to all the radio programs. And there was a special message waiting for him from Little Orphan Annie. He had finally gotten his special decoder, and now it was time to find out the truth.

The music builds. The narrator’s voice climbs with excitement and you can feel the intensity build within Ralphie.

And then, the truth is revealed.

But it wasn’t what Ralphie expected. It wasn’t what he wanted to hear.

He’s mad, disappointed, and even curses the truth.

John 8:48-57
“Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?
49 Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.
50 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.
51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
52 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.
53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:
55 Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.
56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?”

These religious leaders had spent their whole lives searching and learning the law. And now, this man, the One they call Jesus, comes on the scene and turns their world upside down.

They searched for a way to trick Him, to trip Him up, some way to stop Him so they could regain their power, authority, and leadership.

They kept searching, saying they were seeking the truth.

Who was this man? Was He a demon-possessed Samaritan? How can He say no man will taste death that believes in Him? Abraham died. Are you greater than Abraham?

“Just Who do you think you are?”

It was as if they were anxiously awaiting the message from the decoder. The truth was right in front of them, about to be revealed.

“Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”

WHAT?!

They couldn’t believe it. This was the truth they had been waiting to hear?

When Jesus used the name of God, I AM, He was claiming His deity.

Let’s pause for just a second.

The truth is there. With this statement, there were no more questions, no more inquiries, no more trying to decipher His words. The people heard the truth loud and clear.

But what would they do with it?

Would they fall down in worship at His feet? Would they shout with joy and victory that the Messiah had come? Would they call for a celebration, a feast, slaughter the fatted calf, prepare the table, and dine with the Lord Himself?

“59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.”

They were mad, disappointed, furious.

They cursed the truth.

Enraged, they picked up stones to kill Him. That was what the law commanded of blasphemy. And that’s exactly what these religious leaders considered Jesus and His statement.

But it didn’t change the truth.

John 1:1
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Jesus. The Son of God. God Himself. Emmanuel – God with us.

The truth has also been laid out in front of us. But what will we do with it? How will we respond?

Will we fall down in worship at His feet? Will we shout with joy and victory that the Messiah has come? Will we celebrate?

Or will we curse Him and throw stones? Will we walk away because He’s not what we expected? Because His words are offensive to our flesh. His blessings aren’t always financial. The path to follow Him is filled with persecution and trials. Each step requires faith, not works. Our performance is no good here.

Are there stones in our hand ready to throw? Cursings we want to hurl at Him and those who are His followers?

The truth is here. What will you do with it?

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