John 8:30-59 The Truth Will Set You Free (2 John 1:4–6)
“As Jesus spoke these things, many believed in Him. So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
“We are Abraham’s descendants,” they answered. “We have never been slaves to anyone. How can You say we will be set free?”
Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
I know you are Abraham’s descendants, but you are trying to kill Me because My word has no place within you. I speak of what I have seen in the presence of the Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”
“Abraham is our father,” they replied.
“If you were children of Abraham,” said Jesus, “you would do the works of Abraham. But now you are trying to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. You are doing the works of your father.”
“We are not illegitimate children,” they declared. “Our only Father is God Himself.”
Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on My own, but He sent Me.
Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to accept My message. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me!
Which of you can prove Me guilty of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe Me? Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
Before Abraham Was Born, I Am
The Jews answered Him, “Are we not right to say that You are a Samaritan and You have a demon?”
“I do not have a demon,” Jesus replied, “but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. I do not seek My own glory. There is One who seeks it, and He is the Judge. Truly, truly, I tell you, if anyone keeps My word, he will never see death.”
“Now we know that You have a demon!” declared the Jews. “Abraham died, and so did the prophets, yet You say that anyone who keeps Your word will never taste death. Are You greater than our father Abraham? He died, as did the prophets. Who do You claim to be?”
Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory means nothing. The One who glorifies Me is My Father, of whom you say ‘He is our God.’ You do not know Him, but I know Him. If I said I did not know Him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know Him, and I keep His word. Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see My day. He saw it and was glad.”
Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and You have seen Abraham?”
“Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!”
At this, they picked up stones to throw at Him. But Jesus was hidden and went out of the temple area.”
“If you were children of Abraham,” said Jesus, “you would do the works of Abraham. But now you are trying to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. You are doing the works of your father.”
“We are not illegitimate children,” they declared. “Our only Father is God Himself.”
Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on My own, but He sent Me.
Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to accept My message. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me!”
“For great entertainment and quick enlightenment, try the teaching steps!” If there had been advertising in Jesus’ day, this could have been the advertising slogan. On those steps, there were all kinds of different teachers, each with his band of listeners, and one could move from one group to the next until one found something interesting. Generally, teachers of the Law would be explaining some minute parts of the regulations that had grown up long after Moses had given the original Law. In an effort to ensure proper compliance, scribes and teachers continued to argue and develop long lists of behavior necessary for believers to really fulfill the Law.
Jesus has been teaching on the teaching steps on the east side of the temple, trying to explain his origins and the reason he is teaching. We have previously discussed these teachings in detail; however, the point now is to look at the response of the religious authorities. Jesus is speaking truth about the Kingdom of God; however, these people have already become self-styled experts on ways to approach a God whom most of them have never known. Blinded by tradition and prejudice, these men refuse to believe that the Son of God is truly speaking to them. These men would rather listen to those reciting traditions than to open their hearts and minds to divine truth.
It’s very gratifying to sneer at the religious authorities of Jesus’ day, but are we any better? When we need information or enlightenment, do we pray before we Google or consult Wikipedia? Do we ask God for wisdom and truth, or do we select what fits our preconceived prejudices? And if someone pours poison into our ears about others, do we believe them? If we need to take a decision, do we really wait on God for advice, or do we chant “Dear God, I am about to take actions. Please approve and rubber stamp them!”
Currently, we are on the edge of a situation in which a good person has listened to wrong counsel, resulting in some bad decisions that may have tragic and long-reaching consequences. We are walking around this situation with prayer, remembering that at any time, we too might fall prey to vicious gossip and jump to unwarranted conclusions about someone we have previously trusted.
May God help each one of us, so that we only listen to Him and not to lies!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, guide us in the truth. Your Word is truth. Help us to look to You for Your Wisdom and not to rely solely on our own judgment. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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