Daily Thought for 2nd May 2026
“I do not seek my own glory; there is one who seeks it and he is the judge.”
John 8:50
Eternal
Fran Selkirk
In John’s gospel, chapter 8, we read that those around Jesus cannot believe he is a Jew because of the things he says. He must be a crazed Samaritan (vv. 48-52).
Is he claiming to be greater than Abraham? Yes. What is more, he takes to himself the name of God; saying I am the eternal one. This must have made the whole population see him as a freak, a Samaritan or a mad man.
But listen to his words as he replies to the crowd (vv. 54-55):
“I tell you; If I honoured myself, it would mean nothing. My father is the one who honours me. You claim he is your God, even though you don’t really know him. If I said I didn’t know him, I would be a liar, just like all of you. But I know him, and I do what he says.”
What an unlikely outburst from Jesus. But, what honesty. Jesus is the Son of God; he is progressing in his ministry, not just to teach and heal, but to die and be raised from death to eternal life; to save humanity from its sin and to pay the price for our salvation. The perfect sacrifice once and forever.
Self-aggrandisement is worthless. Self-praise is no praise at all, but by being meek and obedient even unto death, Jesus is honoured by his Father. The people’s inability to understand proves that they neither know God nor obey his will. But Jesus always does God’s will, even when it is agony. He, then, hits the nail on the head: saying, “Your ancestor Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day; he saw it and was glad”. It reminds me of John 1:1. “In the beginning was the word, and the word was God”.
Jesus has been from the beginning of time, ever present.
Shall we pray?
Jesus, Son of God, may all honour and glory be yours, as you guide us by your example to live, worship and serve, every day of our lives. Amen.
Fran Selkirk, an elder and reader in Dryburgh District churches, is an active voluntary community worker in the wider area and a passionate spreader of the Good News.