Before Abraham Was
Jesus’ “I am” sayings are usually linked with the revelation of the name of Yahweh on Sinai But Marianne Meye Thompson notes that there is also a large concentration of “I am” sayings in Isaiah 40-66, which are linked to the new exodus of Israel out of Babylonian exile. This illumines a number of Johannine passages. In John 8, for instance, Jesus charges that the Jews who oppose Him are children of the devil and slaves, and in this context utters the famous “Before Abraham was, I am.” He is not simply declaring that He is Yahweh - though He is doing that - but also saying that He is the One who will bring the slaves out of slavery.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
In Medias Res
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