Day 69: John 8-10

The Gospel of John is packed with bold claims, but in chapters 8-10, Jesus makes His most shocking statement yet: “Before Abraham was, I AM.” This wasn’t just poetic language—it was a direct claim to divinity, using the sacred name of God revealed in Exodus 3. No wonder the religious leaders wanted to stone Him. But why did this statement provoke such an extreme reaction? Let’s dive in.✈️ Overview:• Jesus attends the Feast of Tabernacles, one of the most important Jewish festivals, setting the stage for His boldest revelations.• The festival celebrates key moments from Israel’s Exodus: water from the rock, the pillar of fire, and the giving of the divine name (Yahweh).• Jesus directly ties these themes to Himself: “I am the Light of the World” (John 8:12), “If anyone is thirsty, let them come to Me” (John 7:37), and “Before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58).• In John 10, Jesus contrasts Himself as the Good Shepherd with corrupt religious leaders, calling them “thieves” who steal, kill, and destroy.🔎 Context Clues:• The Feast of Tabernacles – A major Jewish festival commemorating God’s provision in the wilderness. It included: • A water ceremony, recalling God providing water from the rock. • A torch-lighting ceremony, symbolizing the pillar of fire that guided Israel. • A focus on God’s name, recalling the moment He revealed “I AM” to Moses.• Jesus’ Radical Claims – His statements align perfectly with the feast’s themes, revealing that He is the fulfillment of these Old Testament events.• The Reaction – The religious leaders didn’t miss His point. They saw His “I AM” claim as blasphemy, deserving of death under Jewish law.🤓 Nerdy Nuggets:• Jesus Writing in the Dirt (John 8:6) – Some scholars believe He was writing Deuteronomy 22:22 and Leviticus 20:10, exposing that the religious leaders ignored the law by only bringing the woman, not the man, caught in adultery.• John’s Theme of Seven – The Gospel of John is structured around seven signs, seven “I AM” statements, seven discourses, and seven feasts, all mirroring the seven days of creation in Genesis.• The Good Shepherd vs. The Thief (John 10:10) – This isn’t primarily about Satan! Jesus is referencing Ezekiel 34, where corrupt religious leaders are condemned as thieves who exploit God’s flock.✅ Timeless Truths:• Jesus isn’t just a teacher—He claimed to be God in the flesh. The way we respond to that claim changes everything.• God’s provision isn’t just physical (like water in the desert)—Jesus offers living water that never runs dry.• Religious hypocrisy is dangerous—spiritual leaders must reflect God’s heart, not exploit His people.• True shepherds lay down their lives for the flock—Jesus calls us to follow His example in serving others.Jesus didn’t leave room for neutral opinions—His claims were either true, or they were blasphemy. What do you say?🚀 START HERE!Want to join us on the journey? Check out the Start Page! You can start from Episode 001 on January 1st or jump in to follow along with us, your choice.📖 DOWNLOAD THE PLAN:Whether you’re new to the Bible or ready for a fresh start in 2025, this plan is for YOU. And the best part? The plan is FREE! Download it now and start your journey today.🤓 WANT MORE BIBLE NERD RESOURCES?Check out armacourses.com for biblical literacy resources, courses, and a community to grow with! Learn the Bible for yourself with 60+ courses and counting for only $13 / Month. Also, your first 30 days are on us. Join ARMA for FREE!🐉 PRE-ORDER DR.MANNY'S NEW BOOKCrushing Chaos is available now for preorder, shipping on May 6th. Learn more & buy now at https://crushingchaos.com.🍬 CHURCH CANDY MARKETINGGet NEW church guests, EVERY Sunday without you having to stress over ads, algorithms, or figuring out Facebook or Instagram. Head over to https://churchcandy.com/manny to book a discovery call today!👍 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! LIKE & SUBSCRIBE:The Bible Dept. | YouTubeThe Bible Dept. | SpotifyThe Bible Dept. | Apple Podcasts📱 STAY CONNECTED:The Bible Dept. | InstagramThe Bible Dept. | FacebookDr. Manny Arango | InstagramARMA | Instagram📨 EMAIL US!Got questions or want to share your thoughts? Email us at [email protected].💥 MORE RESOURCES:Amazon Store | Shop The Bible Dept. EssentialsDr. Manny Arango’s Book | BrainwashedBook Dr. Manny to Speak🌱 WE’RE PLANTING A CHURCH!The Garden | Houston, TXThe Garden | InstagramThe Garden | FacebookAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands