As the discussion becomes more heated, the crowd turns into a mob. Questions of identity are at the center of the storm. The crowd claims to be children of Abraham but Jesus insists that they are so unlike their physical ancestor. In fact, Abraham looked forward to the arrival of Jesus. Jesus thus claims to be someone greater than Abraham! They object, "Who do you think you are?!" Although offered in the wrong spirit, it is still the right question. Understanding who Jesus is is the key that unlocks everything else!

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For Reflection:

Jesus hints at the truth of who he is but the crowd refuses to accept what he says.

- Understanding Jesus' true identity helps us understand why Jesus insists that we must follow his teaching (v51). We cannot just agree with it; we must live it. What are some of the teachings of Jesus that you feel challenged to live out today?

- No one likes criticism. Jesus is able to weather that storm by remembering that only God is the true judge (v50). How might you live differently if you held onto that truth?