Jesus said: “And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” John 17:5
TOPIC: Jesus existed long before he was born.
BACKGROUND: These words were spoken in the Upper Room on Maundy Thursday. They are part of his High Priestly Prayer.
More has been written and spoken about Jesus than any other person in history. Each week people gather to hear about him. Countless tracts, booklets, and web pages have been devoted to him. Many people think positively about Jesus, while others wish he had never existed. Even while here on earth, Jesus was called Beelzebub, Satan, an imposter, demon-possessed, and a deceiver. So, who is this Jesus?
Perhaps the best way to answer that question is to let him speak for himself. As we follow the ministry of Jesus we find many instances where he explained who he was and what his mission included.
A perfect place to begin is his preexistence. Where did Jesus come from? What was his background? In John 1 we discover his eternal connection with the Word and with God. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). A few verses later we read, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14). John further explains that Jesus predated the world’s beginning, “Through him all things were made” (John 1:3).
Jesus was right to tell the Pharisees, “Before Abraham was, I AM!” With Jesus there was no beginning and there will be no end. We base our faith on the truth that our eternal Lord came from heaven to live and die for us. What a loving God we have!
PRAYER THOUGHT: by Samuel J. Stone
The Word made flesh creation sees,
Its mighty God in man:
Great mystery of mysteries
Since ever time began!
PAUL WRITES ABOUT JESUS: “You have been raised to life with Christ. Now set your heart on what is in heaven, where Christ rules at God’s right side.” Colossians 3:1 CEV
From At the Feet of Jesus by Reynold R. Kremer