(continued from “Who is Jesus?” Part #1) There are some who have said that Jesus never actually claimed to be God. I have heard them say that other people claimed He was God, but He never said that about Himself. Once again, as we look into God’s Word we find the truth, and we see there are many examples of both. JESUS CLAIMED TO BE GOD IN – John 8:56-59 Jesus said,”Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am”(Gk. ego eimi). Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple. Greek Word-study eimí (the basic Greek verb which expresses being, i.e. “to be”) eimí (“is, am”) – in the present tense, indicative mood – can be time-inclusive (“omnitemporal,” like the Hebrew imperfect tense). Only the context indicates whether the present tense also has “timeless” implications. For Example: Jn 14:6: “I am (eimí) the way, the truth and the life.”
Here (eimí) naturally accords with the fact Christ is eternal – meaning “I am (was, will be).” The “I am” formula (Gk egō eimi) harks back to God’s only name, “Yahweh” (OT/3068, “the lord”) – meaning “He who always was, is, and will be.” Compare Jn 8:58 with Ex 3:14. See also Rev 4:8 and 2962/kýrios (“Lord”). To read more click on corresponding link below.
