Come and SeeEsimerkki

Many years before the arrival of Jesus, the book of Exodus tells how God rescued His people from slavery. In the pivotal moment when God revealed Himself in a burning bush, the contrast between sinful man and a holy God was apparent. In reverence, Moses hid his face and removed his sandals on the ground that occupied the Lord’s presence. God proclaimed that He had seen the suffering of His people and was sending Moses to set them free. And then God revealed His name: “I AM WHO I AM.” Years later, when Jesus declared, “I AM,” He was proclaiming that God was in His people’s presence once again. This time He had come as the deliverer of a far different type of slavery. Sin imprisons people away from God and brings catastrophic and eternal death to all. But God saw the suffering of His people, and He sent His Son to set them free. When the woman caught in sin was cruelly thrown before Jesus, He knelt on the ground. The fingers that hold the stars in the sky now drew on the sand around the people. No one removed their sandals. No one hid their face from His presence. But the contrast between sinful man and a holy God was just as apparent. With only a few words, He exposed the sinfulness inside of each person. The only one without sin was Him. But this merciful and compassionate Judge did not shame or condemn. He lovingly set the accused woman free with the words, “Go and sin no more.” The deceitfulness of sin can, like the accusers, cause us to want to punish others while staying blind to our own faults. Or, like the woman covered in shame awaiting death, sin can leave us condemned without hope. But when we stand in the holy presence of “I AM,” and we obey His words, we are delivered. He breaks the chains of sin and with His truth buckled firmly around us, we walk free. DAILY READING Read John 8 CHRISTMAS CONNECTION Outside of John chapter 8, there are 7 “I AM” statements that Jesus makes in the book of John. Each one points to an aspect of His divine character. Choose one that means the most to you and make a keepsake ornament with the statement and date. Every year will remind you of your Christmas journey through John.