In Jerusalem, early in the month of April AD 33, the Jews were celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles and Jewish leaders were plotting to arrest Jesus, then put Him on trial for blasphemy.
But they found Jesus showed both compassion for sinners and obedience to the Law, and this made it difficult to justify his arrest.
Moreover, each time He spoke, Jesus made disciples of those who believed in Him whom He called His disciples. But, there were those who hardened their hearts and Jesus confronted them…
“37 “I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you.” (John 8:37)
Jesus told the Jewish leaders He understood they were physical descendants and the blood line of the patriarch Abraham, but their hearts were not of God’s and so this is why the Lord told them His word, the truth had no place in them which is the reason why their did not believe.
“38 I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father.”” (John 8:38)
Next, Jesus compared the things He witnessed with His Father or “Πατρὶ” which is Greek for Father, to those things known onto the Jewish leaders, as each one was taught to by his own father or πατρὸς (which means father).
39 They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham.” (John 8:39)
The Jews insisted they were of the anointed lineage of the patriarch Abraham, but Jesus rebuked and provoked them by stating they were not doing God’s work not following in the footsteps of Abraham, the spiritual leader of the Israelite.
“40 But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. 41 You do the deeds of your father.” Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.”” (John 8:40-41)
The Jews were plotting to kill Jesus without motive, which is clearly not of God. Unlike these men, Abraham obeyed God, but they refused to acknowledge who Jesus was or the marvelous things He did which they could not explain.
“42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.” (John 8:42)
Jesus continued His rebuke of the Jews when He told them He was indeed of God, and by their choice to deny this truth meant they were themselves not of Him, the Father who sent His Son to be the promised Messiah and Savior of man.
“43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.” (John 8:43)
Jesus had warned those who did not believe that they would not understand His word, and this is one of those occasions when a group of people had a point of view that was contrary to the truth, yet beneficial to them.
The Jews did not understand or admit who Jesus was, and they did not understand the impact of His words because they did not believe.
“44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” (John 8:44)
Jesus then confronted the Jewish leaders and called them sons of evil, as their behavior was compared to that beast who pulls even the strongest to sin, to transgress against God in such a way that His light is all but put out within their hearts.
“45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.” (John 8:45)
Jesus reminded the Jews that it was their choice not to believe, and that He was not only telling the truth about everything, but He was truth!
“46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?” (John 8:46)
Another rebuke of the Jewish leaders who plotted to convict Jesus of blasphemy when He claimed He was God sent.
Here, Jesus targeted the Jews who sought to arrest and prosecute Him, then He reminded them that He was indeed telling the truth but they chose not to believe.
“47 He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.” (John 8:47)
Do you hear God’s words?
Do you believe that Jesus was God in the flesh who came to live a perfect life, perform countless miracles and eventually was nailed to a cross where He died, then was buried and on the third day after His death, He rose from the dead to be heard and touched by many until the time came for Him to ascend to Heaven where He sits with God?
If you, you are a child of God and your life should be a testimony to this, free from sin and delivered from bondage… Let’s pray!
Father God;
We thank you for your blessings in our lives,
We praise you Lord for the wisdom found through the gospel of John,
We ask you Lord to inspire us to live out the apostle’s writings
As we continue to learn more about you through your word.
Lord we ask you to strengthen us each day as we endure through battles,
Allow us to praise and love each other through faith in you Jesus,
Shield us from evil through the truth, the gospel, salvation and prayer,
Guide us to abide by your word as we spread your gospel to one and all
Becoming examples of Christian faith through our character as we walk the narrow path.
God we pray that you will continue to bless us, to bless our lives and fill us with hope
We ask you Lord to guide our footsteps and lead us to the way everlasting,
Through faith in you Lord we seek salvation and our place with you in Heaven
According to your ways, your everlasting wisdom and strength.
May your will be done
In our lives, for your life.
We thank you for your love and all you bless us with each day.
Praise God,
Amen!
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: danielstpierre@thrivethroughchrist.com
