Prepare – John 8:56-59
Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. 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, I am.” So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.
Devotional
On this last day of our 30 for 30 series, there is no more important truth to rest on than the person of Jesus. Who is Jesus? Our answer to this question is critical to each one of us. I love what A.W. Tozer says: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” This passage tells us that Jesus is God.
Think about just two truths these verses teach us. One, God’s independence. Jesus does not depend on someone or something else for anything. Paul said it this way: “The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.” (Acts 17:24–25) God doesn’t have needs like us. He is not dependent on anything or anyone else. There are no barriers, no enemies, no outside influences that change or sway God. He is totally independent!
Second, God is unchangeable. “Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end.” (Psalm 102:25–27) Each of us changes in so many ways, especially in difficult times. God doesn’t change. He is our sure rock, our dependable foundation in the storms of this life.
I encourage you to meditate on these simple, amazing truths about Jesus today. Jesus, only Jesus, is worthy of all our praise!
~ Pastor Craig Johnson
Praise
Watch and listen to “Jesus, Only Jesus” by Matt Redman and “Is He Worthy (Live)” by Andrew Peterson.
