When Jesus said, I am, he was saying, there was a child born at Bethlehem.

I am the child born at Bethlehem, but before Bethlehem, I am.

Before Abraham, I am.

This is the eternal.

Welcome to Grace to You, the Bible teaching ministry of John MacArthur.

I'm your host, Phil Johnson.

This time of year, do you ever feel as if you're the only one who cares about the birth of Christ?

And even if the true meaning of Christmas isn't lost on you,

these days get so busy, it's possible that your attention isn't fully where you would like it to be.

Well, you're not alone. So the goal of John MacArthur's current study is to help cut through some of the holiday clutter and focus your thoughts on what's

most important this season. John's study is titled The Jesus of Christmas. And now with today's

lesson, here is John. I want you to turn in your Bibles to a text which may not on the surface

seem to relate to Christmas, but it does. John chapter 8,

John chapter 8. And I want to read to you a fascinating account of Jesus and the Jewish leaders.

In John chapter 8, beginning at verse 51, Jesus said, truly,

truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he shall never see death. The Jews said to him,

now we know that you have a demon.

Abraham died, and the prophets also.

And you say, if anyone keeps my word, he shall never taste of death.

Surely you are not greater than our father, Abraham, who died.

The prophets died too.

Whom do you make yourself out to be?

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