Before Abraham Was, I Am

Whoever is from God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear them is that you are not from God.’ The Jews answered him, ‘Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?’ Jesus answered, ‘I do not have a demon; but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is one who seeks it and he is the judge. Very truly, I tell you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.’ The Jews said to him, ‘Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, and so did the prophets; yet you say, “Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.” Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets also died. Who do you claim to be?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, he of whom you say, “He is our God”, though you do not know him. But I know him; if I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know him and I keep his word. Your ancestor Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day; he saw it and was glad.’ Then the Jews said to him, ‘You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell 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. John 8:47-59

Like the religious leaders testing Jesus, we are often trapped in linear time, although we know that time is a human invention. In many traditional Native tribes, time is not so binding and final. We understand that the past and future often present with us, whether we can observe it or not. DNA and other discoveries have taught us that there is more to our understanding of time and continuity that we understood in the past. Jesus is present with us now and every age but few of us can accept it. We serve one who understands all of us, the infant, child, adult and senior are all known and loved by him.

Wondrous Creator, you are infinite and eternal

you love us from inception through death eternally

and show us through Jesus the way to live your love.

Our days are carefully scheduled and controlled

we struggle to complete tasks and we often fail

we forget that you are much bigger than any day.

Bring us a new understanding of your time, Lord

let us live grasping eternal love and endless hope

sharing those in this world of hurt and captivity. Amen.