John 8:48-59NIV
[48] The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?” [49] “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. [50] I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. [51] Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.” [52] At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. [53] Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?” [54] Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. [55] Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. [56] Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” [57] “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!” [58] “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” [59] At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.
Yesterday, we talked discussed how the Messiah was promised to Abraham after he did not hold back anything from God, including his promised son Isaac. Isaac was laid on an altar, but before he could be sacrificed, the LORD stopped Abraham and sent a ram in his place. This isn’t insignificant. That ram foreshadowed Jesus on the cross.
When Jesus was preaching and teaching, He said
[31] To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. [32] Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:31-32 NIV
He and the Jews then went back and forth, and Jesus revealed that Abraham saw His day and was glad. We were set free from sin when Jesus nailed our debt to the cross and cancelled it, putting the enemy to shame. Jesus foreshadowed this Himself when He took the form of a ram and took Isaac’s place on the altar. Abraham saw Jesus’ day, His foreshadowing, and rejoiced.
We have heard His day and are saved by His day, yet do we rejoice? We are no longer bound under sin. We are no longer slaves to unrighteousness, yet how often do we rejoice in the salvation that we have?
Dear LORD, thank You for Your sacrifice. Thank You for loving me, even though I don’t deserve it. Thank You for saving me and redeeming me. LORD, please forgive me for all the times that I have wallowed in my own pain, suffering, grief, bitterness, and anger instead of rejoicing in Your salvation and redemption. I have hope because of You. I have life because of You. When I am down, help me to remember that if I rejoice in You, You will lift up my soul and give me joy for mourning. Peace for anger. Love for fear. Help me, LORD. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.