NAHAN THE PRIEST
32 AD – Confrontation – Temple Mount, Jerusalem, Judea

Then the crowd again surged forward most with exaltation and belief written on their faces. Nahan saw that Jesus’ disciples were hard pressed to keep the crowd back from swamping him. Meanwhile, the guards and the Pharisees retreated back into the temple. Several minutes later as the crowd calmed down the chief priests and the leadership came back out.

So Jesus spoke loudly to those that surrounded him, many were of the Pharisees, Nahan noted.

“If you continue in my word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” [John 8:31,32]

One of the elder priests called out to Jesus, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that you say, ‘You will become free’? ” [v33]

The crowd quieted down and Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. [v34-36]

“I know that you are Abraham’s descendants; yet you seek to kill me, because my word has no place in you. I speak the things which I have seen with my Father; therefore you also do the things which you heard from your father.” [v37,38]

Then a number of them exclaimed loudly to Him, “Abraham is our father.” [v39a]

Jesus said to them, “If you are Abraham’s children, do the deeds of Abraham. But as it is, you are seeking to kill me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. You are doing the deeds of your father.” [v39b-41a]

“We were not born of fornication; we have one Father: The Lord.” [v41b]

Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on my own initiative, but He sent me. Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear my word. [v42,43]

“You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” [v44]

Nahan should have been angry but what this man have said so far disturbed him deeply.

“But because I speak the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe me? He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.” [v45-47]

One of the priests answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” [v48]

Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. But I do not seek my glory; there is One who seeks and judges. Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word he will never see death.” [v49]

Pharisees in the crowd called out to Him, “Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets also; and you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste of death.’ Surely you are not greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died too; whom do you make yourself out to be?” [v50-53]

Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing; it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God’; and you have not come to know Him, but I know Him; and if I say that I do not know Him, I will be a liar like you, but I do know Him and keep His word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day, and he saw it and was glad.” [v54-56]

So the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” [v57]

“Truly, truly, I say to you,” Jesus paused for just a moment, then said, “before Abraham was born… I… AM.” [v58]

The whole court went deathly silent. Nahan was struck dumb. Deep in the recess of his mind he heard echo the words of the Prophet Isaiah, ‘For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’ [Isaiah 9:6]

Then the crowd erupted. There were men shouting to stone him but the bulk of the crowd were those who believed and they again surged forward in loud exultation. Altercations broke out as a group of men with stones in their hands tried to force their way to Jesus. Nahan lost sight of him. As angry as he should be, he was unusually happy that Jesus got away. Besides, he knew somehow that he will see the Son of man again.

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Greeting friends…

I hope you are enjoying the 49th segment of my ebook, FAITHFUL ENCOUNTERS.

Feel free to leave your comments below. I look forward to read your comments and constructive inputs that will help me direct my creative thoughts.

Thank you.

Until the next post.

Johann Q.

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