“Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. (John 8:58)” (Mark 15:44,45)
The concept that there was a time “before Christ” (B.C.) is misleading. Christ means Messiah (anointed one), and the Lord Jesus Christ has existed from all eternity. He is “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8). He created all things (Hebrews 1:8–10) and is the Lord of time.
It is true that He did not fully take on the Messiahship role until His incarnation, but He existed and even manifested Himself on earth prior to the incarnation. B.T.I. (before the incarnation) may be a better designation.
The Lord also used the emphatic “I am” of Jehovah (cf. Exodus 3:14), affirming His eternal existence. Those who heard Him understood the claim as blasphemy and picked “up stones to cast at Him” (John 8:59).
The Old Testament describes Him as “the angel of the LORD” (Genesis 16:7–13, Jehovah’s Messenger); “the angel of God” (Genesis 21:17,18). He is “The Rock” (Deuteronomy 32:4; cf. I Corinthians 10:4); “the captain of the LORD’S host” (Joshua 5:13–15); “the Son” (Psalm 2:12); David’s “shepherd” (Psalm 23:1; cf. John 10:14); “the Son of man” (Daniel 7:13); and “the Branch” (Zechariah 3:8,9). He existed throughout the Old Testament era and fulfilled all the promises. He is the “Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” All the promises were and are yea and amen in Him.
Our response should be humbly to worship and praise Him. He made us, owns us, holds us together and died to save us. There is no other hope; He alone is hope. He knows suffering and death, but also conquered Satan and death.
May we praise Him because He is the “I am” who always lives to make intercession for His people. He is both Lord and God. PGH
