NOVEMBER 1 – Reading 305

by Yasmin Rosado | November 1

“BEFORE EVERYTHING, I AM”
(John 8:12 – 10:42)

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” — John 8:58 (ESV)

Ever looked at your family album book? It’s interesting how time seems to pause when you flip through old family photos. You see faces you’ve never met, homes that no longer exist, and stories you only know through the memories told of others. There’s something amazing about remembering where you came from.  Something about realizing your life is part of a much bigger story.

That’s how it was for the Jewish people when they thought about Abraham (their ancestor), the one God called to begin a nation. His story shaped their identity. Mentioning Abraham was like opening the first page of their spiritual family album. So when Jesus said, “Before Abraham was, I am,” it caught everyone off guard. He didn’t say “I was,” as if He were just older. But “I am.”

Here we see that Jesus wasn’t just connecting Himself to Abraham’s story, He was declaring that He existed before it, that He is God Himself.  When God revealed Himself to Moses at the burning bush, He said His name was “I AM.” It meant He was self-existent, eternal, and unchanging.  Now, Jesus uses that same name not as a metaphor, but as truth. This tells us Jesus isn’t just a new chapter in God’s story, He is the Author! He doesn’t just know about our past, He was there before it started. And He’s not waiting for our future to unfold, He’s already present in it.

Simple Truth:
Jesus is not only present in your life.  He existed before it, holds it together now, and remains unchanging through it all.

Reflections:

• Do I see Jesus as eternal Lord over my life, or just as a helper in my current situation?

   

• How does knowing Jesus is “I AM” affect the way I view my past, present, and future?

   

Application:

• Reflect on areas of your life where you’re trying to be in control and surrender them to the One who holds time.

   

• Take time to worship Jesus not just for what He’s done, but for who He is, eternal and unchanging.

   

• Look for ways to build trust in His presence today, knowing He is already in your tomorrow.

   

Closing Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for being the eternal “I AM.” Help me to trust You not only with what I see, but also with what I don’t. Thank You for holding my life, my story, and my future in Your unchanging hands. In Your name, Amen.