17. The requirements under which we can live together with God

From the sermon on March 2, 2008

The words of Jesus about the spiritual world are recorded in the Bible, but he did not discuss it entirely. He just said, “Before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58). He also said, “If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” (Matt. 22:45). He quoted from the Scriptures to identify himself.

Let’s look at who the Lord is, before I talk about the spiritual world. I told you before that the being of the Lord can be classified into three categories. First, our Lord was with God even before God created humanity. Then our Lord was in this world with flesh body. Finally, our Lord is now in heaven after the resurrection.

Jesus prayed: “Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began” (John 17:5). How could he dare pray like that if he were not the Son of God? And he also participated in the creation of all (John 1:1, Gen.1:26, Prov. 8:23).

Nowadays, when you read the words of Jesus in the Bible, you may accept it. But the words of Jesus of Nazareth, who was the son of a carpenter, were not acceptable to the Israelites. These were not simple words. They contained concepts that were difficult for the Israelites to grasp.

Because Jesus knew that teachers of the law, scribes, and priests in Israel had admired Abraham, he said, “Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad” (John 8:56). Then the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and you have seen Abraham!” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58) These were spiritual words. When they heard this, they picked up stones to strike him, but Jesus escaped, slipping away from the temple grounds.

The Jews admired David as well as Abraham and Moses, because