Where was Jesus before the first Christmas? Does it matter? How did He “pre-exist” before He was humbly born in a stable rude? Is this a life-altering truth I should concern myself with today? Does it matter to you and me that He is God and has done what only God can do? If so, then there follow four good reasons why we should cling to the phrase “before the ages begotten of the Father as to the Godhead” found in the Chalcedonian Creed (pronounced kal-suh-doe-nee-un). The best examples of this are found in the gospel of John. Jesus states it no less than four times throughout the book.
1. Jesus talks about himself as being pre-existent to explain His authority.
In John 3:13 speaking of Himself, He says, “No one has ascended into heaven except He who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.” Jesus is talking to Nicodemus, a Jewish teacher of law. Jesus doesn’t seem that different than Nicodemus at first glance: they are the same age approximately, they both teach others and have followers. Nicodemus wants to know why the things Jesus says are so powerful and seem so true to him. Jesus answers by telling him where exactly He is from—heaven. Then He goes on to say that whosoever believes in the Son who has come from heaven will have eternal life.
2. Jesus talks about himself being pre-existent to separate those who believe from those who won’t.
Later in John 6:62-63 Jesus asks, “Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before?” This question is given in response His disciples basically asking, “How are we supposed to believe that we can eat your flesh, drink your blood, and in so doing live forever?” The result is that several people walk away from Jesus at that point. They are having a hard time believing what He says on earth because they did not believe that He came from heaven. People today do something similar when they desire to accept Jesus’ ethical teaching but deny that He is the One who gives us power to live out those ethics. They may say, “I like Jesus as a teacher, but I can’t believe that He’s God.” The person who says that is no disciple of Christ.
3. Jesus talks about Himself being pre-existent to claim that He is God.
During a fight with the Jews in John 8:48-58 Jesus calls them liars. He backs up His judgment with a simple argument. They claim to follow Abraham. Jesus says that Abraham would rejoice to see Jesus. Therefore, if they aren’t rejoicing in Jesus then they aren’t really following Abraham and so they are liars. The backlash leveled at Jesus by the Jews is a question, “You are not yet 50 years old, and have You seen Abraham?” It is as if they said, “You are putting words in the mouth of someone You have never spoken to.” And Jesus says, “Before Abraham was, I am.” (vv.57-58) Jesus claims to have existed before Abraham, who had been dead more than 2,000 years when this argument was taking place. In short, Jesus claimed to be God.
4. Jesus talks about himself being pre-existent to invite us to intimate relationship with God.
We all long for good friends. We desire to know someone well and be known in return. We want acceptance and love. Jesus prays these things for His disciples in the famous “high priestly prayer” of John 17. It is a wonderful chapter of the Bible to read over and over and consider what it says. The chapter begins early on with Jesus saying, “And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” Jesus points out that He is intimately connected to God. Before and after that statement He points out that He has been helping the disciples know God for His whole time on earth, and He prays that it will continue when He returns to heaven.
This is just a short post to give you a starting point to think about why Jesus’ pre-existence is important. Each of these four reasons could be expanded upon. Also, there are places all throughout the Old Testament where the Messiah’s pre-existence is hinted at, and all over the New Testament it is clicked on to view in full-screen HD glory. I hope you will take some time to consider the pre-existent Second Person of the Trinity who took on flesh according to God’s calling before time began, and I hope it will strengthen, comfort, and encourage you in the days ahead.
In Him,
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