I AM FROM ABOVE

John 8:23

Morning Meditation 11/13/13

“And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.”

This is one of those Scriptures that the Pharisees had such a problem with. They were confused at this point. The problem of where Jesus came from is settled once-and-for-all with this statement. But just like unsaved religious leaders today, they buried their heads in the sand. There is no way to explain what the Lord says in this statement.

THE COMPARISONS OF ORIGIN

The first thing that Jesus said to them was, “Ye are from beneath.” Their origin made all the difference in the world. To be “from beneath” means that your origin is in this world and all your thoughts are from beneath. Satan rules the kingdom that is from beneath. John 8:44, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."

Think about it. Jesus said, “Ye are from beneath.” What did Jesus mean when He said this? What the text actually says is, “ego eimi”. This is the same as when Jesus said, “I am.” Jesus is the eternal God without beginning and without end. He has incarnated Himself into man in order to save him from the eternal punishment of hell.

A verse that carries this further is 1 Peter 5:8, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" He roams the world to find someone that he can influence and cause to kill and give oneself to lust. The way to overcome Satan is to “Be sober, and vigilant” the reason is because you have an adversary that will bring you down if he can. 1 Peter 5:9, "Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."

THE ORIGIN FROM ABOVE

Jesus said, “I am from above.” the word could refer to either place or time, (i.e. place, the Jerusalem which is above in the heavens, or time the eternal Jerusalem which preceded the earthly one).

Jesus clearly knew where He was from. There have been many who have suggested that Christ did not know that He was the Messiah. Some suggested that this calling came on Him at His baptism. Bible believers believe that Jesus knew before He was born that He would come into the world as Saviour. John 8:58, "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am." This places Jesus before Abraham at the time He was speaking. We know all God wants us to know. But God is omniscient. This means that there is more to God’s knowledge than we will ever find out. It is enough to know that the Omniscient God of our salvation loves us and has written our names in the Lamb’s book of life never to be erased.

This is the Lord’s prayer in John 17. He prayed in verse 5: "And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was." For this prayer to be true, Jesus had to exist with the Father before the world was.

THE CONTRAST OF PLACES

Jesus said, “Ye are from beneath.” “Those that live in unbelief, are for ever undone, if they die in unbelief. The Jews belonged to this present evil world, but Jesus was of a heavenly and Divine nature, so that his doctrine, kingdom, and blessings, would not suit their taste. But the curse of the law is done away to all that submit to the grace of the gospel. Nothing but the doctrine of Christ’s grace will be an argument powerful enough, and none but the Spirit of Christ’s grace will be an agent powerful enough, to turn us from sin to God; and that Spirit is given, and that doctrine is given, to work upon those only who believe in Christ. Some say, Who is this Jesus? They allow him to have been a Prophet, an excellent Teacher, and even more than a creature; but cannot acknowledge him as over all, God blessed for evermore. Will not this suffice? Jesus here answers the question. Is this to honour him as the Father? Does this admit his being the Light of the world, and the Life of men, one with the Father? All shall know by their conversion, or in their condemnation, that he always spake and did what pleased the Father, even when he claimed the highest honors to himself.” —Matthew Henry

“Ye are from beneath means that those to whom He was speaking were from this world. Their origin was from this world and this excludes them from the world above. They cannot cross over. They are stuck by sin so deeply in the world below, that it would take nothing short of a miracle for them to change origins. Jesus could do this for them but they are bound by their own pride and prejudice to a world on its way to hell.

Jesus said, “I am not of this world.” Here we have the incarnation. Jesus God’s only begotten Son came into this world to save man. But He is One who had no beginning. He is eternal in nature and belongs in heaven. When Christ ascended into heaven after the crucifixion He was welcomed by the host of heaven who rejoiced that He was back home.

May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.

In Christ

Bro. White