Passion Sunday AD 2024

Jesus said to the Jews: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am." He does not say "I was" but "I am." It is perhaps difficult for us to understand the real meaning and depth of these words, as well as how scandalous they sounded to the ears of the Jews who surrounded Jesus.

ἐγὼ εἰμί or "I am" in Greek and אֲנִי־ הוּא or "I am He" in Hebrew are equal to the name of God. So when Jesus uses this expression – in the Gospel of St. John He does it seven times – He is implying that He is not only a true man, but He is also the true God. He not only "was" before Abraham, but He "is" before Abraham, for He is not subject to time; He is eternal. "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever," says the Epistle to the Hebrews.

He is the true and eternal God, and He is also our true and eternal High Priest who has offered an eternal and perfect sacrifice for our redemption and reconciliation with God.    By His death He has brought us the forgiveness of our sins and cleansed us from all our transgressions. He has saved us from the torments and damnation of hell.

Just as our God and Savior Jesus Christ is eternal, so He wants to give eternal life to all those who receive Him in faith. Jesus Himself assures us: "If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life.”

God, our Father, doesn’t want us to die in our sins. On the contrary, He wants us to enjoy the happiness of eternal life with Abraham and other saints.