“‘I tell you the truth,’ Jesus answered. ‘Before Abraham was born, I am!’”
John 8:58
Many of us know the Bible can be a difficult read. The New Testament was written nearly 2,000 years ago, and the Old Testament centuries before that. Sometimes the Old Testament Law of Moses and the New Testament Gospel of Jesus appear to have different messages. Even Jesus, when He clarified the teaching of Moses, said, “You have heard it said…, but I say to you….”
Yet there is no contradiction in the infallible, God-breathed words of the Bible. There is no conflict between law and grace. Jesus speaks of Abraham as if He knew him, and the religious leaders are scandalized because Abraham was long dead. But as the eternal Son of God, Jesus was there making promises to Abraham generations earlier. He also gave the law to Moses. And as the Son of Man, He gave up Himself as a sacrifice for when we sin and break that law, as we all do.
Jesus knows we are not holy and are not able to keep the law. But in His grace and love, He died for us personally, saving us from sin and death. He’s our Savior from beginning to end.
Yet there is no contradiction in the infallible, God-breathed words of the Bible. There is no conflict between law and grace. Jesus speaks of Abraham as if He knew him, and the religious leaders are scandalized because Abraham was long dead. But as the eternal Son of God, Jesus was there making promises to Abraham generations earlier. He also gave the law to Moses. And as the Son of Man, He gave up Himself as a sacrifice for when we sin and break that law, as we all do.
Jesus knows we are not holy and are not able to keep the law. But in His grace and love, He died for us personally, saving us from sin and death. He’s our Savior from beginning to end.
Scripture Focus
John 8:48-58
Insight
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Matthew 5:17)
Bible In A Year
- Isaiah 43-44
- Psalm 92
- Acts 15
