⚠️ Devotional on John 8:21–30 “I Am He”

⚠️ John 8:21–30 Devotional – “I Am He”

1. Start with Prayer

Lord Jesus, open my eyes today to recognize who You truly are. Keep me from unbelief and let Your words lead me into truth and life. May I not remain in sin but follow You in faith. Amen.

2. Scripture Reading – John 8:21–30 (NIV) 📖

21 Once more Jesus said to them, "I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come."
22 This made the Jews ask, "Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, 'Where I go, you cannot come'?"
23 But he continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.
24 I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins."
25 "Who are you?" they asked.
"Just what I have been telling you from the beginning," Jesus replied.
26 "I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is trustworthy, and what I have heard from him I tell the world."
27 They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father.
28 So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.
29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him."
30 Even as he spoke, many believed in him.
    

3. Repeated Words or Ideas 🔁

• Sin / Die in sin – v.21, v.24
• I am he – v.24, v.28
• The one who sent me / the Father – v.26, v.27, v.29
• Believe – v.24, v.30
• Speak / Teach – v.26, v.28

4. Theme 🧭

"If you do not believe that I am he, you will die in your sins."

5. Observing God 🙏

• Jesus reveals He is from above, not of this world (v.23).
• He boldly declares "I am he"—a divine identity (v.24, v.28).
• He only speaks what He has received from the Father (v.26, v.28).
• The Father is always with Him, and He pleases Him fully (v.29).
• Jesus foretells that His lifting up (crucifixion) will reveal His true identity (v.28).

6. Observing Humanity 🙋

• The people misunderstand Jesus and question Him with human logic (v.22, v.25).
• They are from below, bound to worldly understanding (v.23).
• They face the danger of dying in sin due to unbelief (v.24).
• They fail to grasp that Jesus speaks of the Father (v.27).
• Some, however, begin to believe as Jesus speaks truth (v.30).

7. Interpretation – About God 💡

God is not distant or unknowable—He is revealed in Christ. Jesus makes clear that He is sent by the Father, speaks with divine authority, and will be lifted up on the cross to fulfill His mission. His unity with the Father is complete, and those who recognize Him as "I Am" receive the truth that leads to life. In Jesus, we find the only way out of sin and death.

8. Interpretation – About People 🪞

Humanity is often blind to spiritual truth. Like the crowds, we ask “Who are you?” even when the answer is in front of us. Many cling to the world and its reasoning, missing the urgency of belief. Jesus warns with compassion that sin is not just a moral failure, but a death sentence apart from Him. Yet even among the confused and critical, belief is still possible—many believed as they listened.

9. Life Application 🪴

Do I truly believe that Jesus is "I Am"? Have I placed my trust in His words and His work on the cross? Today, I will examine whether I am living in faith or in self-reliance. I want to respond to Jesus not with questioning skepticism, but with surrender and belief. I will also pray for others who are still asking, “Who are You?”—that they may see and believe.

10. Spiritual Touch ✨

“If you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.” – John 8:24

11. Closing Prayer 🙏

Jesus, I believe You are the One sent from the Father. I confess that without You, I would remain in sin and darkness. Thank You for being lifted up on the cross so that I could know the truth and live. Help me to believe deeply, follow fully, and share boldly. Amen.

12. Walk With the Word 🌅

Let the truth of Jesus' identity echo in your heart today. Live not in uncertainty, but in confidence that “He is.” Walk in belief, and help others to believe too.