Jesus concludes his conflict with the Jewish leaders at the Feast of Tabernacles by making a pretty bold assertion: "Before Abraham was, I am." This is how God described himself from the burning bush to Moses, "I am." Jesus is further pressing the idea not only that God the Father testifies to who Jesus is, but that Jesus was with the Father before Abraham. It's no small wonder that the crowd went wild, but this is the Gospel. It may not always be popular, but it carries power.