As we enter Holy Week, we pause with one of the most direct and striking declarations Jesus ever made.

In this seventh meditation of our Lenten series, I AM: A Lenten Journey with Jesus, we reflect on Jesus’s words in John 8:56–59:
“Before Abraham was, I AM.”

Throughout this series, we have considered the familiar “I am” statements—images and metaphors that reveal Jesus as bread, light, shepherd, gate, and vine. But this moment is different. Here, Jesus is not offering a picture. He is making a claim.

Speaking to religious leaders who questioned His authority, Jesus identifies Himself with the very name of God revealed in Exodus. The people listening understood exactly what He was saying. They believed He had committed blasphemy, and they responded by picking up stones.

This is a turning point. Jesus does not leave room to be understood merely as a good teacher or wise prophet. He clearly declares His divinity.

This guided Scripture meditation invites you to sit with this scene and reflect on what it means that Jesus is fully God and fully man. Through several slow readings of John 8:56–59, you will be guided to listen, imagine the moment, respond honestly, and rest in the truth of who He is.

As Holy Week begins, we are reminded that it is because of who Jesus is that the cross matters. It is because of who He is that the resurrection brings salvation and hope.

Lent prepares us to celebrate Easter with clarity and conviction. Jesus is not simply part of the story.

He is the I AM.

Download your FREE companion journal for I AM: A Lenten Journey with Jesus. This journal includes:
• Each week’s Scripture passage
• Reflection prompts from the meditations
• Space to journal, pray, and notice what God is revealing

Throughout Lent, a brief guided prayer will be released each Wednesday to help you pause midweek and prayerfully reset your focus on Jesus.

Here are some additional helpful links:

Download your FREE Lent Companion Journal Here

I AM: A Lenten Journey with Jesus 

This journal includes:
• Each week’s Scripture passage
• Reflection prompts from the meditations
• Space to journal, pray, and notice what God is revealing

Here are some additional helpful links:

Learn more about Jodie:
http://www.jodieniznik.com

Follow on Instagram:
@jodieniznik

Follow on Facebook:
@JodieGNiznik

Join the Monday email newsletter for new meditations, HERE

Explore other faith-centered podcasts from LifeAudio:

https://www.lifeaudio.com

Today’s Scripture

John 8:56–59 (NLT)

56 Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.
57 The people said, “You aren’t even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?”
58 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM!”
59 At that point they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple.

If you are helped by these meditations, consider sharing them with a friend or leaving a review. Simple acts like these help create space for more people to slow down and listen.

Thank you for joining me on So Much More.
We really do believe Jesus has so much more to say to us—and this is one way we are creating space to listen.

Today’s meditation music was generously provided by Simon Wester. If you enjoyed the music, make sure to listen to and follow him on Spotify. https://open.spotify.com/artist/2qUycRIHExBVUPIoq6RUkO?si=vQranvhdRW6NNoMNG7Q9dQ

As we enter Holy Week, we pause with one of the most direct and striking declarations Jesus ever made.
In this seventh meditation of our Lenten series, I AM: A Lenten Journey with Jesus, we reflect on Jesus&rsquo;s words in John 8:56&ndash;59: &ldquo;Before Abraham was, I AM.&rdquo;
Throughout this series, we have considered the familiar &ldquo;I am&rdquo; statements&mdash;images and metaphors that reveal Jesus as bread, light, shepherd, gate, and vine. But this moment is different. Here, Jesus is not offering a picture. He is making a claim.
Speaking to religious leaders who questioned His authority, Jesus identifies Himself with the very name of God revealed in Exodus. The people listening understood exactly what He was saying. They believed He had committed blasphemy, and they responded by picking up stones.
This is a turning point. Jesus does not leave room to be understood merely as a good teacher or wise prophet. He clearly declares His divinity.
This guided Scripture meditation invites you to sit with this scene and reflect on what it means that Jesus is fully God and fully man. Through several slow readings of John 8:56&ndash;59, you will be guided to listen, imagine the moment, respond honestly, and rest in the truth of who He is.
As Holy Week begins, we are reminded that it is because of who Jesus is that the cross matters. It is because of who He is that the resurrection brings salvation and hope.
Lent prepares us to celebrate Easter with clarity and conviction. Jesus is not simply part of the story.
He is the I AM.
Download your FREE companion journal for I AM: A Lenten Journey with Jesus. This journal includes: &bull; Each week&rsquo;s Scripture passage &bull; Reflection prompts from the meditations &bull; Space to journal, pray, and notice what God is revealing
Throughout Lent, a brief guided prayer will be released each Wednesday to help you pause midweek and prayerfully reset your focus on Jesus.
Here are some additional helpful links:
Download your FREE Lent Companion Journal<a href="https://jodieniznik.myflodesk.com/lent2026"> Here</a>
I AM: A Lenten Journey with Jesus&nbsp;
This journal includes: &bull; Each week&rsquo;s Scripture passage &bull; Reflection prompts from the meditations &bull; Space to journal, pray, and notice what God is revealing
Here are some additional helpful links:
Learn more about Jodie: <a href="http://www.jodieniznik.com/">http://www.jodieniznik.com</a>
Follow on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jodieniznik/">@jodieniznik</a>
Follow on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JodieGNiznik/">@JodieGNiznik</a>
Join the Monday email newsletter for new meditations,<a href="https://jodieniznik.myflodesk.com/stayintouch"> HERE</a>
Explore other faith-centered podcasts from LifeAudio:
<a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/">https://www.lifeaudio.com</a>
Today&rsquo;s Scripture
John 8:56&ndash;59 (NLT)
56 Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad. 57 The people said, &ldquo;You aren&rsquo;t even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?&rdquo; 58 Jesus answered, &ldquo;I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM!&rdquo; 59 At that point they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple.
If you are helped by these meditations, consider sharing them with a friend or leaving a review. Simple acts like these help create space for more people to slow down and listen.
Thank you for joining me on So Much More. We really do believe Jesus has so much more to say to us&mdash;and this is one way we are creating space to listen.
Today&rsquo;s meditation music was generously provided by Simon Wester. If you enjoyed the music, make sure to listen to and follow him on Spotify. <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/2qUycRIHExBVUPIoq6RUkO?si=vQranvhdRW6NNoMNG7Q9dQ">https://open.spotify.com/artist/2qUycRIHExBVUPIoq6RUkO?si=vQranvhdRW6NNoMNG7Q9dQ</a>

Welcome to So Much More where we're creating space to be with God. This podcast, hosted by Jodie Niznik, introduces you to two types of bible scripture meditation experiences, Lectio Divina and Imaginative Prayer, and gives you space to practice them. It also creates space to hear what others have experienced in their time with God.

Topics Covered:

📖 What Is Lectio Divina and Why Is It a Helpful Christian Practice
📖 What Is Christian Meditation and How Do We Use Scripture to Practice It
📖 Special Church Seasonal Series Including Lent, Easter, and Advent

If you are a Christian looking for ways to pray more or meditate more on Scripture, be sure to visit Jodie's website, https://www.jodieniznik.com/ for more information! 

Welcome to So Much More where we're creating space to be with God. This podcast, hosted by Jodie Niznik, introduces you to two types of bible scripture meditation experiences, Lectio Divina and Imaginative Prayer, and gives you space to practice them. It also creates space to hear what others have experienced in their time with God.
Topics Covered:
📖 What Is Lectio Divina and Why Is It a Helpful Christian Practice 📖 What Is Christian Meditation and How Do We Use Scripture to Practice It 📖 Special Church Seasonal Series Including Lent, Easter, and Advent
If you are a Christian looking for ways to pray more or meditate more on Scripture, be sure to visit Jodie's website, <a href="https://www.jodieniznik.com/">https://www.jodieniznik.com/</a> for more information!

So Much More: Scripture Meditation (Lectio Divina)

Before Abraham Was, I AM | John 8:56-59 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/ec282d88-3ce0-4529-b8f8-b3fd015222b2/transcript