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

In this Holy Week prayer, we pause to reflect on one of Jesus’s clearest and most powerful declarations about who He is. In John 8:56–59, Jesus says, “Before Abraham was even born, I AM.” With these words, He reveals what has been true from the beginning—that He is God. Eternal. Uncreated. The One who existed before time and entered into it for us. This short midweek prayer invites you to slow down and worship Jesus as the great I AM. We take time to praise Him for His divinity and to reflect on what it means that the One who will go to the cross is not merely a teacher or prophet, but God Himself. We also pray for those we love who do not yet recognize Him as Lord, asking that their hearts would be opened to see Him clearly. As we move closer to the cross and prepare for Easter, may this truth steady your heart: Jesus is God, and He is worthy of our worship. Take a few quiet minutes to pray along and reflect on who He is. 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. 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 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Fruitfulness doesn’t begin with striving. It begins with remaining. In this short midweek prayer, we return to Jesus’s words in John 15, where He says, “I am the true vine… you are the branches.” This guided Christian prayer invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and reflect on what it means to abide in Christ. Jesus reminds us that apart from Him, we can do nothing. We are not responsible for manufacturing spiritual fruit on our own. Our role is to remain—connected to the Vine, trusting the Father as the Gardener, and allowing Him to prune what no longer serves His purposes in our lives. Pruning can feel uncomfortable. But it is never careless. It is always loving and purposeful, leading toward deeper growth and greater fruitfulness. Take a few quiet minutes today to rest in this truth: your responsibility is to remain. The fruit is His work. 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 ScriptureJohn 15:1–2, 4–5 (NIV) 1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” 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 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

As Lent continues, Jesus invites us to consider where true life and growth actually come from. In this sixth meditation of our Lenten series, I AM: A Lenten Journey with Jesus, we slow down with Jesus’s words in John 15:“I am the true vine.” Spoken on the night before His arrest, this image comes from the conversation in the upper room where Jesus is preparing His disciples for what is ahead. He knows they will face confusion, grief, and uncertainty. And instead of giving them a strategy for survival, He gives them a picture of connection. He is the vine.We are the branches.And apart from Him, we can do nothing. Jesus also reminds us that the Father is the gardener—the One who tends, cares for, and prunes the vine. While pruning can sound painful or unsettling, it is never careless. It is purposeful. It is loving. It is meant to produce even more fruit. This guided Scripture meditation invites you to reflect on what it means to remain in Christ—to abide, to stay connected, to make your home in Him. Through slow readings of John 15:1–2, 4–5, you will be guided to listen, reflect, respond, and rest—allowing Jesus to remind you that fruitfulness flows from closeness, not striving. Lent reminds us that abundant life is not something we manufacture on our own. It grows naturally as we remain rooted in the One who is the source of life. 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 ScriptureJohn 15:1–2, 4–5 (NIV) 1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” 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 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When our hearts feel troubled, Jesus invites us to trust Him again. This short midweek prayer creates space to pause, breathe deeply, and return to Jesus’s words in John 14:1–6, where He says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” In this guided prayer, we acknowledge the places where worry, uncertainty, or longing have unsettled our hearts and bring them honestly before God. Jesus reminds us that we are not alone—that He is with us, that He is preparing a place for us, and that He will return for us. As we pray, we ask for help to trust Him more deeply and to follow Him in the way He has already made clear: to love God fully and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Take a few quiet minutes to slow down, listen for God’s invitation, and rest in the presence of the One who leads us in truth and life. 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 14:1–6 (NLT) 1 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.  4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.   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 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this fifth meditation of our Lenten series, I AM: A Lenten Journey with Jesus, we slow down with Jesus’s words in John 14:1–6:“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Jesus speaks these words on the night before His arrest. The disciples are gathered in an upper room, sensing that something is wrong but not fully understanding what is coming. Fear, confusion, and grief are already beginning to settle in. Into that moment, Jesus does not offer explanations or timelines. He offers comfort, presence, and promise. He tells them not to let their hearts be troubled.He invites them to trust.And He reminds them that He is preparing a place for them—and that He will come back for them. When Thomas admits that he does not know the way, Jesus responds with clarity and compassion. He does not point to a path. He points to Himself. He is the way we follow, the truth we hold onto, and the life that sustains us. This guided Scripture meditation invites you to bring your own uncertainty, questions, or unsettled places before God. Through several slow readings of John 14:1–6, you will be guided to listen, reflect, respond, and rest—allowing Jesus’s promise to steady your heart and remind you that you are not walking alone. Lent reminds us that when the way forward feels unclear, Jesus remains near. He goes before us, prepares a place for us, and faithfully leads us home. 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 ScriptureJohn 14:1–6 (NLT) 1 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.  4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.   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 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This midweek prayer is an invitation to pause and return to Jesus’s words in John 10, where He says, “I am the good shepherd.” In this short prayer, we take time to remember who Jesus is for us—a Shepherd who knows His sheep, stays with them, and lays down His life for their sake. We reflect on the ways He has already cared for us and ask Him to help us know Him more, so we can follow Him more closely. This prayer also acknowledges that there are real challenges and threats we face. Jesus names the danger, but He also reminds us that He does not abandon His sheep. He stays. He protects. He leads. As we pray, we entrust ourselves again to the Shepherd who never walks away and ask Him to guide us through this day and this Lenten season. Take a few quiet minutes to refocus your heart on Jesus as the Good Shepherd and pray along with me. Today’s Scripture John 10:11–15 (NIV) 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.” 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 If you are helped by these meditations, consider sharing them with a friend or leaving a review as a way to support this ministry. 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. Learn more about Every Woman’s Bible today by visiting:  https://hubs.la/Q041HkRL0 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this fourth meditation of our Lenten series, I AM: A Lenten Journey with Jesus, we slow down with Jesus’s words in John 10:11–15:“I am the good shepherd.” These words come right after last week’s meditation. Jesus is still addressing people who were confused about who they could trust—people who had felt overlooked, misled, or poorly cared for by spiritual leaders. Into that confusion, Jesus deepens the image He has already given. Jesus contrasts Himself with the “hired hand,” someone who may appear present but runs when danger comes. A hired hand does not stay when things become costly. But Jesus makes clear that He is different. He does not abandon the sheep. He knows them by name. And He willingly gives His life for their good. This guided Scripture meditation invites you to reflect on where you may be placing your trust—whether in people, systems, or structures that cannot ultimately hold you. Through several slow readings of John 10:11–15, you will be guided to listen, reflect, respond, and rest—allowing the truth of Jesus’s steady, sacrificial care to settle into your heart. Lent reminds us that we are not left to protect ourselves. We are known, loved, and cared for by the Good Shepherd who never runs away. 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 10:11–15 (NIV) 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away.13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.” If you are helped by these meditations, consider sharing them with a friend or leaving a review. Simple acts like these go a long way in supporting this ministry. 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. Learn more about Every Woman’s Bible today by visiting:  https://hubs.la/Q041HkRL0 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This midweek prayer is an invitation to pause and return to Jesus’s words in John 10, where He says, “I am the gate.” In this short prayer, we create space to trust Jesus as the One who stands guard over our lives—protecting us and leading us toward the life He promises. Jesus tells us that while there are voices and forces that seek to steal, kill, and destroy, He is the Gate who keeps watch over His sheep. He is present with us, surrounding us with His care, and inviting us to live from a place of trust rather than fear. This prayer also turns our attention to Jesus’s promise of life—life that is full, abundant, and rooted in His presence. As we pray, we surrender what feels threatening or overwhelming and ask Him to renew our hope in the life He offers. Take a few quiet minutes to refocus your heart on Jesus as the Gate and pray along as we continue this Lenten journey together. Today’s Scripture John 10:7–10 (NIV) 7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them.9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 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 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 Learn more about Every Woman’s Bible today by visiting:  https://hubs.la/Q041HkRL0 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Lent continues by inviting us to consider not only where we are going, but who we can trust along the way. In this third meditation of our Lenten series, I AM: A Lenten Journey with Jesus, we slow down with Jesus’s words in John 10:7–10:“I am the gate.” Jesus offers this image in response to growing confusion and distrust among the people. Many had been poorly cared for by religious leaders and were unsure who to listen to or where to turn. Speaking into this uncertainty, Jesus uses a picture His listeners would have immediately understood—the shepherd and the sheep. At night, sheep were gathered into a sheepfold with a single opening. The shepherd didn’t simply stand guard nearby. He laid his own body across the entrance. In doing so, he didn’t just protect the gate—he became the gate. When Jesus says, “I am the gate,” He is revealing Himself as the One who guards, protects, and gives safe passage. He is not a barrier meant to confine us, but a presence that allows us to come in and go out freely—to live securely and find pasture. This guided Scripture meditation invites you to imagine yourself within this scene and reflect on where you may be longing for safety, clarity, or care. Through several slow readings of John 10:7–10, you will be guided to listen, reflect, respond, and rest—allowing Jesus’s promise of protection and abundant life to settle into your heart. Lent reminds us that we don’t have to determine what is safe or life-giving on our own. Jesus invites us to trust Him as the gate—the One who leads us into real and lasting life. 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 10:7–10 (NIV) 7 Jesus said,“Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them.9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” 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   Learn more about Every Woman’s Bible today by visiting:  https://hubs.la/Q041HkRL0 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.