Jesus said, Verily, verily, I say to you, If a man shall keep my saying, he
shall never see death..
1. CHRIST REFERS HIMSELF TO HIS FATHER GOD 51-55
a. He gives us the reason for their incredulity. 55a
They would not believe His teaching on immortality. Why not? because they
were unacquainted with God. They said He was their God, but they did not know
Him. Therefore they could perceive neither the Image nor the Voice of God in
Christ. They saw it, they heard it, but wouldn't believe it. They attributed
Christ's words to a demon! (52)
b. He gives us the reason for His assurance. 55b
He was in constant daily touch with the Father, and did not deny His
relationship as Eternal Son of the Eternal Father. He knew Him, and obeyed His
Word. We all need assurance of eternal life; if we obey His teaching we shall
never know what it is to die a penal death for our sins..
He says it; I believe it; that settles it..
2. CHRIST REFERS THEMSELVES TO THEIR FATHER ABRAHAM 56-59
a. He asserts Abraham's foreknowledge of Him. 56; Gen 22:7-14; 15-18..
Abraham not only foresaw the Messiah: the experience filled him with
overflowing joy. How did he foresee the Messiah?
-- in the Promise of the Lamb for Isaac (the Coming Saviour);
-- and in the Promise of the Land for his descendents (the Coming-again King)..
Not an earthly city, but one which is to come, the New Jerusalem descending
from heaven (Heb 11:16; 13:14; Revelation 3:12, 21:2)..
b. He asserts His foreknowledge of Abraham. 57-59
Abraham lived some 1800 to 2000 years before Christ; how could someone under
50 have known him? -- because this "under-50" was Eternal (before Abraham
was) and Divine (I AM, Exodus 3:14). The Creator knows His creatures. These
'creatures' knew His meaning and tried to stone Him; but He evaded them. The
time, place and manner of His death was pre-ordained to win the immortality He
spoke of for all believers. And for you..
Ben
--
Revd Ben Crick, BA CF
232 Canterbury Road, Birchington, Kent, CT7 9TD (UK)
http://www.cnetwork.co.uk/crick.htm
