What Jesus Did! 'Before Abraham' — John 8:56-59

Saturday, June 27, 2026

[Jesus said to the people,] "Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad."

The people said, "You aren't even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?"

Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM!" At that point they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple.

— John 8:56-59 NLT

Key Thought

Like so many other things Jesus says in this chapter, this claim is audacious and bold. It is also true. Jesus didn't just happen on the scene when he came to earth; he existed before any created thing. That's why it is so important that we pay attention to him. He not only sacrificed himself for us, but he left heaven's glory to come and live with us and show us God's love.

Today's Prayer

Father, open my heart to the teaching and truth of Jesus and give me a greater sense of his authority, his majesty, and his lordship in my life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

I AM!
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Disciple, In the verses below, I want you to notice a few things about the ongoing contentious dealings I had with the religious leaders. They....."
Older than Dirt!
Article by Alan Smith
How old are you? Aren't we glad Jesus has always been around even though we may be as old as dirt!
Give Me Jesus: BEFORE!
Article by Phil Ware
Who is that little child in that manger who looks so tiny and fragile? Phil Ware begins a four series set of articles for Advent and this first one is called BEFORE and focuses on Jesus being God, pre-existent before the world began.
Handwritten Message from Heaven: I AM
Article by Phil Ware
Is Jesus claiming to be God? Phil Ware begins a series of messages on the "I AM" sayings of the Bible.

Illustration

Illustration of John 8:56-59 NLT — "I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM!"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, June 27, 2026

Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Pray and Fear God and You’ll Have True Rewards'
"And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Job 38:31
"If inclined to boast of our abilities, the grandeur of nature may soon show us how puny we are. We cannot move the least of all the twinkling stars,....."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by C. S. Lewis:
"God, who needs nothing, loves into existence wholly superfluous creatures in order that he may love and perfect them."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!