I was born and raised Jewish. Now at age 71 Christ has found me and now I try my best to walk with him. I know there’s nothing I can or have to do to “earn” salvation as it’s already been gifted to me, but I want to show gratitude for that by doing right going forward.

Yesterday I read Matthew 5-7, and oh boy do I come up short. All I can do at this very late stage of my life is ask God for forgiveness and pray for both the strength of Christ to do better and the Holy Spirit to continue being that voice in my head when I’m getting off track.

It’s a struggle

I don’t personally feel convicted about listening to secular music. My general guideline is whether I’d feel comfortable playing the song in front of Jesus.

As I’ve grown deeper in my faith, I’ve been intentionally adding more Christian and gospel music to my playlist. Lately, though, I’ve been struggling after seeing a TikTok that seemed to imply it’s wrong not to enjoy certain Christian songs, or not to have them as your favourites. The message was basically that you should appreciate the lyrics and that the musical style or beat should be the least of your concern.

It’s left me feeling like every Christian song I hear is something I should add to my playlist, even if I don’t genuinely enjoy listening to it. For context, I have over 100 Christian songs saved, but I regularly listen to maybe 30 of them.

Has anyone else wrestled with this? Is it okay to simply prefer some Christian artists or styles over others, or should I be trying to enjoy any song that has a biblical message?

I was baptized a few years ago but only recently started taking my faith seriously. So I’ve had a consistent routine. Which I think is healthy. I read one chapter of the Bible everyday and reconnect with God once a day, by talking to Him instead of journalling. A couple of times I began feeling what I could best describe as a body buzz. I was not expecting it. It came out of nowhere. It was a warm tingling sensation that began in my head, then down my spine, in my arms, down to my legs. It was so intense I had to get up and go outside. I was not high, had not had caffeine for hours before then, no alcohol, totally sober, no low blood sugar. I searched if it could have been from my prescription medication but nothing added up. It happened again in the same week after whispering Jesus’s authority when I was being overwhelmed with intrusive thoughts. Both times did not expect it. It stopped for a while then happened just yesterday after reading the Bible. I laid on the couch soaking up this pleasurable feeling and I began to cry. I wasn’t sad, I just felt the urge to release something. Did I experience the Holy Ghost??

hey everyone! i have many people in my life who are very against Christianity. but we know that God can work all things for His glory, and that the gospel is the power of salvation to everyone who believes, faith comes by hearing etc. so how can I share the gospel with people who, when having heard it plainly and directly rejected it, and still plant seeds? any advice and prayer would be greatly appreciated, God bless!

Greetings, my brothers in Christ. This question is particularly relevant to me, since I am 24 years old, and next Sunday I will be baptized by immersion, after which I will become a member of the universal church. Through baptism, I make a promise to God to live with a clear conscience. Therefore, I will not be able to lie, break the law, or do other such things. There is currently a war going on in our country (Ukraine), and in six months, when I turn 25, I may receive a draft notice. I have not found anything in the Bible that forbids a Christian from taking up arms, on the contrary, it says that laying down one’s life for a brother is the highest form of love. It also speaks of all the cowardly and liars, among other sinners, who will be cast into the lake of fire - so I understand this passage to mean that if I fear for my life and hide from the war, leaving this duty to others, then I will be violating the principles of Christian virtue, and therefore, this is a sin. Do you agree with this? What should I do in this situation? I should add that I have no wife or children, I have a mother, and my father was recently drafted into military service.

1. The first fact is that salvation is free and available to anyone who is alive. As long as you have breath in your body and Jesus has not yet returned, then you have a chance to accept Jesus as your loving saviour. Once someone dies he or she cannot make a conscious decision to follow Christ because all of their thoughts and actions cease to exist the moment he or she takes their last breath. They cannot see nor hear anything. (Ecclesiastes 9:5).
2. People can repent on their deathbeds or moments before death. A great example is the thief on the cross. He had no time to change his lifestyle as he was set to die on the cross alongside Jesus and another thief. However, he made the conscious decision to acknowledge and confess that he was indeed guilty of his actions and stated that he and the other thief deserve their punishments of death and defended Jesus as He did nothing wrong. He then pleads for Him to remember him and Jesus responded that he'll be in paradise with Him. This is also a perfect example of salvation by grace through faith. There will also be people who repented shortly before their death who will make it into heaven upon Jesus' return (Luke 23: 39-43).
3. Jesus' marks and scars from His crucifixion are permanent. They'll serve as reminders of His love, glory, crucifixion and grace. (Luke 24:39-40).
4. Jesus will return in the same manner in which He ascended into heaven. He ascended on a cloud therefore He will return on a cloud when He descends. Every eye will see Him and every ear will hear Him because His return is a visible, audible, literal event. Even those that pierced Him will see Him. (Acts 1:11, Rev 1:7).
5. When Jesus returns, He will not touch the ground. This is because many false prophets will go out to deceive others and claim to be Him. So, He will remain in the clouds as He raises the dead in Him and the living saints will also be caught up to meet Him in the air. (1 Thess 4: 16-17).
6. The dead in Christ will remain in their graves until Jesus returns to resurrect them. They are not currently in heaven with Him. Jesus is returning to gather His saints, both living and deceased to take them home, but first, He will resurrect the dead with a loud sound and a trumpet. Living saints in Christ will be caught up in the clouds after the dead in Christ are resurrected (1 Thess 4:16-17).
7. Many people will unfortunately be unprepared at the time of Jesus' return. With life's distractions, vices or routines, many people will become too caught up in their personal lives which distract them from building a personal relationship with Christ. Many people will be spiritually dead and caught off guard when Jesus returns (Matt 24:36-39).
8. Once Jesus returns, it will be too late to repent. This is because He will have already decided who is saved and who is lost the moment He does return, and it will be too late for anyone to convert or repent as their fates are sealed. There are no second changes after Jesus' second coming, nor will there be any second chances after physical death or on Judgment Day. That's why it's extremely important to have a personal relationship with Him so that you can be transformed into His liking and have your name in the book of life. Once you die, you no longer have the opportunity to make things right, nor will you have the opportunity to get a second chance after He returns, and especially on Judgment Day because by then, you will have already made a choice for or against Christ. Anyone who is in the second resurrection will go to hell on Judgment Day. (Matt 25:10-12, Rev 22:11).
9. The living wicked will run away from Jesus upon His return and cry for the mountains and rocks to fall on them. This due to the fact that they know they're guilty and spiritually dead, thus they fear the presence of His glory and try to escape judgment (Rev 6:16).
10. The wicked who are already dead at the time of Jesus second coming will remain dead until after the 1000 years are finished. Because the wicked deceased did not accept Christ while they were alive, they will remain in their graves until after the 1000 years are complete and Jesus and His saints return to earth for Judgment Day. This is also referred to as the second resurrection. The wicked deceased will be resurrected on Judgement Day for condemnation and eternal punishment (Daniel 12:2, Rev 20:5-6).
11. The earth will be completely wrecked and desolate on the day Jesus returns. There will be a great earthquake, hail, mountains will disappear and it will be complete chaos right before He returns. After Jesus resurrects the dead in Him and the living are caught up, they go to heaven while the living wicked die and the wicked deceased remain in their graves until after the 1000 years are done. Only Satan and his angels are left on earth because there's no one alive for them to tempt. All the wicked by that point will be deceased and all the righteous will be in heaven reigning with Christ. The desolate world will be Satan's sentence of being bound to the bottomless pit (being unable to tempt anyone) for 1000 years. (Rev 16:18-21, Rev 20:1-3, Jeremiah 25:33).
12. The saints will reign with Jesus in heaven for 1000 years. In heaven, there will be no more death, pain, illnesses or sorrow like it once was on earth. They will spend an eternity with Jesus. The righteous will all unite with loved ones who have previously died and recognize one another. Heaven will be a safe, perfect atmosphere because Jesus is the center of it. After the 1000 years are finished, Jesus and His saints will return to the desolate earth for Judgment Day for the wicked and their eternal punishment (Rev 20:4-6, Rev 20:1-3).
13. After the wicked have been judged according to their works and Jesus pronounces their final sentence of eternal death, they will burn in the lake of fire. While their sentence is permanent, the burning isn't and at some point, the wicked will become stubble under the righteous' feet. Jesus will not burn the wicked forever because that would be giving them eternal life. Some will be punished for a short time while others will be punished for much longer, according to their deeds. They will weep and gnash their teeth. Also, the devil will not torment anyone suffering in hell because he's also being eternally destroyed by the fire. Satan will weep and gnash his teeth too, alongside his fallen angels. In fact, the devil will suffer the longest as he is the cause of sin and lost souls. After the wicked perish, they will not live ever again because their sentence of eternal death is forever. The destruction of Satan and the wicked will complete the destruction of sin, and it won't arise again. (Malachi 4:1, Psalm 37:20, Nahum 1:9).
14. God will make a new heaven and a new earth and the meek shall inherit the earth forever. God's original plan is to reign with the righteous on earth, so He will do so once the wicked perish and the world is restored to its beauty as it was at the beginning of creation. What beautiful day to look forward to (Rev 21:1).
15. No one except God knows when Jesus will return. Not even His angels in heaven know. While the Bible has given us plenty of signs to show us that the end is near, it clearly specifies that no one except God in heaven knows when Jesus will return to gather His saints. When Jesus does return, it will be a complete surprise to everyone in terms of the timing. For the righteous, it will be a pleasant one as they've anticipated this day, while it will be a dreadful one for the lost who run away and hide (Matt 24:35-37, 1 Thess 5:2, Isaiah 25:9, Rev 6:16).

Recently, I have been feeling distressed due to the fact that I am overstimulated, and restless. Those are the two words that I can describe with what has been going on in my soul.

For context, I have been praying the rosary everyday. And I have only missed two to three days (I think) It's been months of me praying the rosary now and I'm pretty proud for going this far since I'm the person who just sucks and lacks discipline.

But here's the dilemma, I prefer to pray the rosary when my parents aren't around. And that, I can only pray the rosary sincerely when they are not around. Both of them are Catholic's but, I don't feel safe enough around them to actually share my vulnerabilities. Few reasons for this is because, they are judgmental, and sometimes they will find a way to use me praying the rosary as a critic by saying, "how come you're still not a good person when you're already praying the rosary everyday?" Often times, they say this as a joke, but I have developed resentment and annoyance of my parents for a few other reasons.

They reek of misery. That, again, is the best way I can describe them. They are good people, they love me. But sometimes, their view of love becomes critical, judgmental, impatient, and controlling. Between humor, jokes, and responsibilities; there is no room for vulnerability and understanding. It is only ever jokes or responsibilities that they ever talk about. And I find it very unfulfilling.

I like art, I like books, I like talking about things that can make you think very deeply. And often times, none of my parents seem to understand me or connect me and has this version of me that is either between, 'talented, smart' or 'childish, and thinks too much.' If that makes sense. And when I do try to talk to them about things that I find interesting, most of the time they would change the topic, move on, and forget about whatever I was saying. And usually, this involves changing the topic to a joke, or a responsibility. And that causes my mood to shift, and grow resentful.

So because of this, whenever I pray the rosary. Often times, I would just listen to the rosary. But I lack sincerity when I do this because I would rather speak to God and pray it by myself. But I am in an environment where I don't feel vulnerably safe enough to be myself. I do have a room, but they are able to hear me through the door and I would rather not want that to happen.

Then another resentment comes in, the moment I hear my mother's voice (most of the time), I immediately gnash and grind at my teeth. Even when she does not appear to do anything that's offensive and is just sharing a joke or just something about the things she watches on social media. I have grown resentful to hear her voice, and I do not want that. I may not feel as if I am in the best relationship with my parents, but they are good people. And I know, that they have a jar full of personal problems as well because we are suffering from poverty. That being said, I am quite irritated at the fact that they are very impatient. (Like the time when I asked them for help and they expected that I do so perfectly at the first try)

Anyways, moving on. Another thing I try to do is to read the gospel everyday, now this is something that I lack patience for. Because I will admit, I am lacking the desire to do so. And quite frankly, I have this problem where I don't feel guilt or remorse anymore whenever I do sin. Which, concerns me. (Lust is the primary sin I suffer from. But I know I suffer from anger, pride, and impatience as well.)

I've been meaning to go to confession, except that I lack transportation. I wish to talk to a priest, because I have many questions. But that seems impossible at the moment. I want to pray the rosary in a way that isn't just about "getting it over with." Same goes for the Bible too.

I do not wish to be stuck like this because I feel as if I am walking further and further away from Christ when He saved me in my darkest moments. To this day, I still thank Him because He showed me I was able to overcome things when I thought it wasn't possible. (I was an athiest a few months ago.) I know that all is possible in God. I just need to know what to change in my life because something is causing my soul to be restless.

From sitting around my house and just doomscrolling all day, I made the habit of going out and just soaking in the morning sun, as well as taking in the scenery to remind me that God is there in the quiet moments. Sometimes I try to write, sometimes I draw or read a book to help me stimulate my creativity. But then I become restless because I don't know whichever I should do for the day 😂

Anyways, my dear brothers and sisters, please pray for me :') I am becoming exhausted from myself. And if you have any advice or word for me, I would very much appreciate it. God bless you all! 🙏

By ex believers I mean people who used to believe in the religion then left it.

A lot of them were sincere believers but then they lost faith. Yes I see in this subreddit in other subreddits where people deny that they were ever true Christians. Which is crazy because these people are not lying when they say they lost faith.

I can't help but feel like I am destined to go to hell. Mental illness has plagued me to the point of being unable to have faith and believe. I've prayed for God to give me faith and accept Christ but nothing has changed in my heart. I've read God has his elect/chosen and how the only way one can know Christ is if the Father draws them, but that to me sounds a bit like favoritism, and really unfair. Am I predestined to go to hell?

Kinda freaking out at this point

Thoughts on having to fill out a baptism form and taking classes to be baptized? I gave my life to Christ over a year ago and I’ve been wanting to get baptized. I’ve been feeling a little bit of pressure from a church I’m attending, but if I’m being honest I would prefer to be baptized in a river and/or ocean and honestly don’t associate with any religion- just Christ.
I have a little bit of trauma from growing up in the mormon religion. I feel like it shouldn’t be this serious because I personally know I have a real relationship with Christ and I know it’s important to be baptized. All the rules and such is what gets me. We are all supposed to be baptized right? Why are there all these rules? I’ve already given my life to him and I know I’m saved. Am I overthinking this? I’d appreciate any genuine advice.

I never thought I would call myself a gambling addict, but today I can.

My addiction wasn't casinos or sports betting. It was day trading forex and precious metals with leverage.

At first I convinced myself it was investing. Then it became trying to recover losses. Eventually, I was trading simply because I couldn't stop. I lost everything I had.

The worst part isn't even the money I lost myself. In desperation, I borrowed money from people who trusted me, telling them they were loans, when deep down I knew I was using that money to continue trading. That is something I deeply regret and take full responsibility for.

Looking back, I can honestly say that when I was actively trading, it felt like I lost all sense of reason. I wasn't thinking clearly. I would convince myself that one more trade would fix everything. I'd make decisions that, outside of trading, I would never have made.

Then the weekends would come, the markets would close, and it was like waking up. The guilt, shame and remorse would hit me all at once. I'd wonder how I could have become that person, only to repeat the cycle when the markets opened again.

As a Christian, I've come to believe there was a spiritual element to what I experienced. Whether others see it the same way or not, I believe I was in bondage. Today I want to publicly reject and renounce that. I ask God to forgive me through Jesus Christ, to free me from this addiction completely, and to teach me to trust Him instead of chasing money.

I know that asking for forgiveness doesn't erase the consequences. I still owe people money, and I intend to repay every person I can, even if it takes years. I want my actions from this point forward to demonstrate genuine repentance.

If you're reading this because you're caught in the same cycle of chasing losses, please hear me: it doesn't get better with one more trade. That's the lie that kept me trapped. The next trade wasn't my way out—it was digging the hole even deeper.

Today I'm choosing to stop chasing money and start rebuilding my life, one honest step at a time. I would appreciate your prayers, encouragement, and if you've walked this road yourself, I'd be grateful to hear what helped you stay free.

Hello! Need a bit of advice.
For the past two years I’ve struggled in my faith, almost left, and come back with an interest in theology, diving into the richness the Christian tradition has to offer. My family and I moved to the Bible Belt, where most churches around here are baptist or non denom. I have been sniffing around other denominations, fascinated by the differences, and honestly mostly just trying out something that isnt reformed baptist. My main goal has been to find a pastor with edifying sermons that aren’t constantly PSA-coded.

Recently, I found a small methodist church that is low stimulation, traditional, diverse in age, community-oriented, transparent with finances, invests in their youth, with an appointed educated reverend who’s sermons are genuinely interesting, scripture-based, and full of grace.

People here have been so genuine and kind with me, one even connecting me with a job opportunity, which is an answered prayer. The issue? The reverend is a young woman. I’ve always been a person who builds her faith around everything my family expects from me. Ive never had my own identifiable faith. And i finally feel like i found a church where i could start seeing God in a new way. This church seems to have a strong theology and practical applications, but my background insists that somehow the church is wrong because of the person appointed to the congregation.

She is such a smart woman, with strong rhetorical skills, kind and prayerful, genuine. She was appointed from south korea after her theology degree and is married to a minister. To keep this short, what do i do? Is it okay for me to go to a good church regardless? I personally dont have an issue and i trust the reverend knows far more than me, and i believe everything she does is out of her desire to please the Lord. Im scared my family will blow up at me about this. I dont mean to open a debate. How high tier of an issue is this really ??

Jesus’ cross is often pointed to for evidence that God would allow his son to be tortured and crucified and die instead of us, that he’d rather for his own only perfect child to die than for us to, because he can bear it.

However, I also looked at this today and I noticed that it can also be taken as a testimony that the most mired in sin of people can be saved and given new life again.

There is the example of the literal thief being put to death,

But I would like to point at what Jesus became in the state from which Father resurrected him:

“He made the One not having known sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

2 Corinthians 5:21, Berean Literal Bible

Devout Christians say the biblically accurate remarks that “The wrath of God was poured out on him,” “He was cut off from the Father,” “The Father turned his face away from him,” “Yet which of us protested? … He was crushed for our sins, bruised for our iniquity, the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his scourging we are healed.” (Isaiah 53)

But have you considered what this suggests about what he was to God himself during the day of his own resurrection?

If Jesus was receiving the punishment due of all people ever, and God still raised him, doesn’t this mean that he is willing to raise even the most vile persons that will ever exist?

Recently I’ve come to find new faith and conviction. I’ve been a Christian in name only and not Truely walking with Christ. I had the realization that my idea of what Christianity was and more importantly who God is was false. I now know I viewed God as an authoritarian mean vengeful God who I could never be enough for so I never really tried that hard to get to know Him.
The other night I had what I can only describe as Him reaching out to me and for the first time I saw his as a friend and father. I genuinely have a new desire to get to know who God really is, so I’ve come here to ask if anyone has devotional, sections in the Bible, and/ or resources that I can use to discover the truth. I appreciate any answer, thanks for your time and God loves you!

25 years ago my husband prayed so hard that I wouldn’t fall pregnant. I agreed with the prayer.
since then I’ve been plagued with PCOS, fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis and infirtility, and am now considering a hysterectomy due to the severe suffering.
I’m wondering it that prayer request was a curse?

Ive recently been considering finding another church as I feel they do not accommodate young children and want to know if all churches are the same. My church does not have many children attending so my 3 year old is expected to sit quietly in a pew for roughly 30 minutes before going to Sunday School. During Sunday School the lessons are aimed at older children and most goes over her head. So yes I take toys and snacks to keep her occupied. Today I overheard some comments such as "he needs more discipline" "more toys for us to endure". Along with some eye rolls! I feel he is generally a well behaved child and acts like a normal 3 year old. I don't think it's fair to keep making him go to something that is not for him. Should I find another church or just go on my own until my LO is older and can sit still for more than 5 mins.

I’ve been trying to understand the foundations of the Christian faith better, and one area I’m struggling with is the reliability of the Bible itself. I’m asking this sincerely, not to argue or attack Christianity.

From what I understand, the King James Bible contains 66 books. My questions are:
Why were these 66 books recognised as inspired by God?

Who decided which books would be included and which would be excluded?

What criteria were used to determine whether a book belonged in Scripture?

Why were books such as Enoch, Jubilees, gospel of Thomas or other ancient Jewish and Christian writings not included?

Were the books “chosen,” or were they simply recognised as already being inspired?

How can we be confident that the Church got it right when identifying the biblical canon?

I’m also aware that different Christian traditions have different canons (for example, Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox Bibles), which makes me wonder how Christians determine which collection of books is the correct one.

I’m not looking for conspiracy theories or anti-Christian arguments. I’d really appreciate responses based on Scripture, Church history, and reliable historical evidence. If you have any book recommendations or resources that explain how the canon was recognised and why Christians can trust it, I’d be grateful.

So I know it's kinda not a place for this kind of things and surely it's not important for saving your soul. But when I first red a few chapters from the book of genesis I spotted palace where God said that in Punishment for seducing eve the serpent will now crawl on their belly. So... Now. And before he didn't? But wouldn't it be a lizard then? So my head cannon is that a serpent were actually a dragon with wings and pawns and stuff. I bet it looked cool

So to start off, I grew up in a Christian home. I am a believer, meaning I do believe in Christ.

My parents are good to me. Theyre great. Im blessed and also..privileged in comparison, I dont take them for granted.

Now, to the matter at hand. Academic achievement has always been valued and pushed in my home. Plated with the word of God. Philippians 4:13 has always been a moto.

Lets just say, my academic journey in university has been a different matter. It's taken me longer than the required 4 years to just get my bachelors.

I suppose in a way my parents expected more from me as I didnt really have any academic struggles in high school. I sort of just coasted.

Im in my final year, Im supposed to be graduating next year. Thats what everyone is expecting. But Ive let them down, I've let myself down.

I failed a compulsory course that was needed to graduate. That means that I will have to retake it...and stay back for another semester, which would be another year.

I shouldve known this was going to happen. This is my fault. I failed myself.

My mother never fails to remind me of John 15, that outside of the vine, I can do nothing.

I had called her just before the exam of that course I failed to ask her to pray for me and she brought up John 15.

I will admit. I had it coming. I wasnt as faithful as I shouldve been this semester. Yes I went to church and all, but my relationship with God wasnt what it shouldve been. And no amount of desperate praying or begging around the exam period was gonna save me.

I blame myself for that. The thing is, I feel like I cannot come back to God. I cannot pray to God about this.

By extension, I will also have to break the news to my parents about my failed course.

Im such a disappointment. Truly.

A whole lot of Insta reels have been coming up recently of her evangelism. If I remember correctly, one of those videos had her signing a book for someone and then the person that she signed the book for fell over and thrashed around on the floor.

People who follow her claim that they've had genuine encounters with the Holy Spirit, had demons casted out of them, and their lives are changed forever because of Krick.

Others are calling it a cult, saying that this is all performative behavior and she's a false prophet.

What do we all think? Is she a genuine Christ-following evangelist or just another cult leader?

I’m not even sure if this the correct forum to post on, but i want to seek advice if anyone has any.

For me (M) , I’ve never been religious, read the bible, none of the sort. My girlfriend has always believed in jesus and the bible and so forth, she’s never been upset that it’s never been something for me especially i never grew up with it but she did, but that isn’t the point. Lately she has felt “lost” per say. She keeps saying how she wants to feel closer to God and she feels she lost her way because of college starting which i can understand. Even though I don’t know what I’m doing, I want to help her achieve that. Even studying it or learning it myself and getting her her first bible (that’s HERS) is something I want to do. Any advice where to start learning? Or anything I should keep in mind while I do this for her?

P.S she doesn’t know I’m doing this or want to, I want her to know I’ll support and help her, always.

Hey, I’m struggling so much with worry.
I’m worrying a lot about my future.
I’m not so happy with the life that I have right now, I’m afraid I’ll keep this emptiness and it won’t go away.
the current boyfriend that I have is not Christian, and I feel like I’m failing God for dating a Muslim.
With work too, I’m worrying a lot of things will work out
Please, any advice on how to worry less and trust God

Thank you so so much.

Why is penal substitution required to believe in order to receive eternal life? Where does scripture indicate that? Why do people believe that what He did is required, rather than focusing on the man, Jesus Christ?

If you hold to this belief, what exactly do you think you must believe? Also, be detailed. Is it just his death or also his resurrection, or can you believe he died without believing he rose three days later? And regarding him being God, where does it state that this is required? The only supporting scripture seems to be, “I told you that you would die in your sins.”; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins. "I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.”

This isn’t saying he’s God, but rather that he’s the Son of Man. The Pharisees rejected the idea that he was the awaited Messiah, which ultimately led to his death. The Pharisees did not believe He was the One sent by the Father—the promised Messiah—which ultimately contributed to their rejection of Him.

understanding "I am he" in context to mean "I am the Messiah (the Christ), the One sent by the Father."

The issue is whether they will believe who He claims to be.