Gospel in Art: Before Abraham was, I am

Scenes from the Story of Abraham, English needlework panel, 17th century © Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 10 April 2025
John 8:51-59

At that time: Jesus said to the Jews, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.'

The Jews said to him, 'Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, "If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death." Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?'

Jesus answered, 'If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, "He is our God." But you have not known him. 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 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.

Reflection on the English Needlework Panel

This beautiful 17th-century English needlework panel illustrates key moments from the story of Abraham, as recounted in the Book of Genesis. At the centre, we see Abraham receiving a divine message from a host of angels, informing him that his wife, Sarah, will bear a son despite her old age. Other significant scenes include Abraham banishing his servant Hagar and their son Ishmael (lower left corner) and the near-sacrifice of Isaac, Sarah's son, as a test of Abraham's faith (upper right corner). In Jewish tradition, Abraham is honoured as the first Patriarch of the Jewish people, the one who introduced the belief in one God, in contrast to the polytheistic beliefs of the time. Therefore, when Jesus proclaims in today's Gospel, "Before Abraham ever was, I Am", his audience would have been deeply shocked by such a statement.

As we approach Holy Week, Jesus continues to reveal his true identity. Here, he openly declares his divinity, stating that he existed before Abraham-an unmistakable reference to his eternal nature. This is yet another of the great "I Am" declarations of Jesus, affirming that he is not only greater than Abraham but that he is one with God. Such a revelation was profound and challenging for His listeners, just as it remains today for all who seek to understand his divine nature.

According to the opening verse of the Gospel of John which we are reading at the moment, Jesus existed before creation itself: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." The passage immediately continues, stating, "All things came into being through Him." This is the profound truth that Jesus claims about himself-he is eternal, divine, and the source of all life. Yet, people struggled to grasp the full depth of His identity, just as we do today.

No matter how much we know of Jesus, there is always more to discover. Our journey of faith is a lifelong pursuit of seeking him, knowing him more deeply, and growing in relationship with him. As today's Gospel reminds us, true discipleship means keeping his word and living by it, and by doing so we will get to know him more and more, and be shaped by him in the process.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/john-8-51-59-2025/ (with audio)