Homily | March 26, 2026 | If Jesus Is The I Am Then Stop Negotiating (Episode 68)

There's a moment in today's gospel where everything shifts.

Up until that point, it's a debate, back and forth, questions, arguments, resistance.

But then Jesus says that one line, before Abraham came to be, I am.

And that's it.

No more discussion.

No more dialogue.

They pick up stones because they understand exactly what he's saying.

This is not poetry.

This is not symbolism.

This is a claim.

He is God.

And they knew what he was claiming.

But here's the problem.

We've heard that so many times that we no longer feel the weight of it.

Because if Jesus is just a teacher, a good man, an itinerant preacher, someone who inspires you, went around doing nice things, then we need to move on from that.

But if he really truly is the I am, then everything changes.

Now go back to the first reading.

God speaks to Abram, and he doesn't just give him a blessing, he gives him a covenant, a relationship, a promise.

And then he does something very important.

He changes his name.

Abram becomes Abraham.

Why?

Well, because when God enters your life, your identity changes.

You're no longer just who you were, you are now who God is calling you to be.

And here's the condition.

On your part, you must keep my commandment.

That's not one-sided.

God gives everything.

We must respond.

Now, if we go back to the gospel, Jesus says, Whoever keeps my word will never see death.

That's a huge statement.

Not you'll feel better or you'll have a good life, but we'll never see death.

And they reject it.

Why?

Well, because they are stuck in the surface.

They're thinking biologically, Abraham died, the prophets died, they can't see beyond the vision.

And here's the teaching.

Don't miss this.

Faith is not just believing that God exists, faith is trusting that his word is true, even when you don't fully understand it.

Abraham lived that.

He trusted, he obeyed, he moved forward without seeing the full picture.

That's why Jesus says, Abraham rejoiced to see my day.

Abraham didn't have everything figured out, but he had enough.

He had enough trust, he had enough surrender, enough faith.

Now here's where it gets real.

Because the same tensions is in your own life.

You hear the words of Christ, you know the teachings, you've heard them over and over.

But the question is this do you keep his word?

Not do you agree with it?

Does it sound good to you?

Do you understand it?

Do you like it?

Do you live it?

Because Jesus is clear, whoever keeps my word, he says, not hears it, not admires it, keeps it.

And that's where most people stop.

Because keeping his word means letting go of control, changing your habits, confronting your sins, making real decisions, placing God at the very center of your life.

And all of that may be difficult or uncomfortable.

So what do people do?

Well, the same thing they did in the gospel.

They resist, they question, they reinterpret, they soften, and eventually they pick up stones.

Maybe not physically, but internally, rejecting the authority of Christ over their life.

Because here's the truth.

You cannot accept Jesus as God and live however you want.

If he truly is the I am, then he is not optional.

And so here's how we can bring it home.

Where are you resisting his word?

Where have you heard it but not kept it?

What part of your life is still operating outside of the covenant?

Yeah, you're good in some parts of your life, but what about the other parts?

Because God has already spoken, he's already revealed, he's already given himself.

The question is not, is God faithful?

The question is, are you faithful?

Because Abraham became who he was, not because he was perfect, but because he trusted.

And you will become who you're meant to be, not by knowing more, but by surrendering more.

So today don't reduce Jesus to a voice you listen to.

Recognize him for who he is.

I am.

And if that's true, then stop negotiating.

Stop delaying.

Stop holding back.

Make today the day where you start living like it matters.

Why?

Because it does.

And Jesus is inviting you to the fullness of life.

Amen.