Book of John - Chapter 8 - Verse 56

When Jesus said, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad," he was referring to the fact that Abraham, considered the father of faith in the Bible, had a glimpse of the coming of Jesus Christ and his redemptive work. In the Old Testament, Abraham had encounters with God where he received promises of blessings and a great nation coming from his descendants. These promises ultimately pointed to the ultimate blessing of salvation through Jesus. In Genesis 22, when Abraham was about to sacrifice his son Isaac, God provided a ram as a substitute. This event foreshadowed the sacrifice of Jesus as the ultimate substitute for our sins. Abraham's joy at seeing Jesus' day illustrates the anticipation and longing for the fulfillment of God's promises in the coming Messiah. This verse highlights the interconnectedness of the Old and New Testaments, showing how the entire Bible points towards the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

In this verse, Jesus is referring to Abraham, the forefather of the Jewish people, who lived many centuries before his earthly ministry. The statement "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day" reveals that Abraham had a glimpse of the future coming of Jesus Christ and was filled with joy at the prospect. This suggests that Abraham had faith in God's promise of a Messiah who would bring salvation to the world. The phrase "and he saw it, and was glad" indicates that Abraham had a spiritual vision of the fulfillment of God's plan through the coming of Jesus. This interpretation highlights the interconnectedness of the Old and New Testaments, showing that the promise of redemption through Jesus was anticipated and celebrated by faithful followers like Abraham long before his arrival on earth.