The Condemnation of Silence

Lesson #151

In our last lesson we looked at the statement Jesus made about the relationship between keeping his word and never tasting death and then the Jews response implying that to be impossible. In this lesson we will look at the response Jesus makes. “Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’”” (John 8:54 ESV). Here stands Jesus, the Son of God, and he wants no glory for himself because when one seeks his own glory, that glory is nothing. The glory that counts is that which comes from another. Again, we see Jesus submitting to his Father allowing him to glorify Jesus at the appropriate time. How important it is for us to see Jesus as our example and allow God to conform us into that image.

Again, Jesus points out that they do not know God whom they so presumptuously boast about as being their father and they the children of God. Anyone who boast of the name of God apart from the word of God are mere liars. Rooted in the Word, our spirit bears witness who our Father is and like with Jesus that is all that is needed. Jesus is not distracted by anything the Jews throw at him because he is at peace with his Father and that should be the same with us. If we are firmly established with God, through Jesus Christ, then we have no need to get upset over any persecution we might face. I believed this is sealed in the statement: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20 ESV). If we have been born again, then we have been crucified with Christ and then by faith he lives out his life through us. If this is true, then we can also respond as Jesus did to the Jews when we face persecution.

Jesus continues: “But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word” (John 8:55 ESV). Jesus must speak out because silence would be a denial of the truth. Through Jesus, God reveals himself to us and it is through us that we are to reveal Jesus to others. To remain silent, which is a growing tendency in the western church, we are denying the truth that we are God’s children. When a person worships the idols of comfort and safety, as so many western Christians do, it follows that one would remain silent. It is very possible that this silence is evidence that we are not his children after all.

Prayer

Father, this lesson speaks to two major problems facing believers, especially in the west: seeking glory for self and remaining silent when we should be a witness. Father, I know you have been busy over the years reducing my pride to a state of brokenness. It has been a painful process, but the outcome is truly a blessing. Father, you know the hurt I experienced long ago in witnessing and the struggle to again have an effective witness. Thanks for the healing and guidance to a more productive witness. 

He Will Never See Death

Lesson #150

With this lesson we will continue with the conversation Jesus was having with the Pharisees. Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death” (John 8:51 ESV). The Jews have accused Jesus of being birthed from fornication and now having a demon. Jesus simply tells them they are wrong and then adds more about what he can offer one who believes in him. Jesus establishes himself as a standard or a marker for division of all mankind. Those who hear and obey what he is teaching will experience spiritual birth and will never experience eternal death.

Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born again if he is to see the kingdom of God (John3:3). He told the woman of Samaria that he was the source of living water that she needed (John 4:14). In John 5:25, Jesus said, “An hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live” (ESV). In John 6:35, Jesus claims to be the bread of life. In John 8:12, Jesus spoke to the people, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life” (NASB). In John 8:31, 32, 34, Jesus claims power over sin by stating that he can set one free from their sin if they abide in his word. It is, therefore, no surprise when Jesus states, here in verse 51, that anyone who keeps his word will never see spiritual death.

As expected, the unbelieving Jews responded harshly, saying to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death’” (John 8:52 ESV). Without understanding the concept of being born again, what Jesus is saying is contrary to their experience. Physically, they know that everyone dies and so what Jesus is saying makes no sense to them, just like it made no sense to Nicodemus in John 3:4. They then supported their stand by pointing out that great spiritual figures of the past, like Abraham and the prophets died, so then, how can one continue to live by simply keeping your word?

The Jews continue by asking two questions: “Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” (John 8:53 ESV). In their minds, Jesus would have to be greater than Abraham and the prophets, who died, in order to do what he claims and they are convinced beyond any doubt that it is not so. It is no different today. As I share Jesus with people I meet, I find their response very similar to the Jews. I am convinced, from my study of the Scriptures, that for a person to understand what Jesus is saying, their name would have to have been recorded, before the foundation of the world, in the Lambs Book of Life (Revelation 13:8 ESV). Those are the ones the Father is going to adopt as his children and to them he gives spiritual understanding leading up to their spiritual birth. Without being adopted a person will continue to act like these Jews and continue on to eternal destruction, which justice would demand of all of us if it had not been for his mercy, grace and sovereignty.  

Prayer

Father, in this lesson Jesus gives a condition that should be seen as evidence that one has eternal life. I can claim to have eternal life, but if I am not living out the Word of God is it not like what James says, “Faith without works is dead.” I pray that my behavior shows evidence of eternal life and that it in fact draws others to investigate the claims of Jesus.

Knowing the Source of Ones’ Value

Lesson #149

With this lesson we begin the last section of chapter 8, defined by John 8:48 – 59. Conversation between Jesus and the Jews continues from the last section. Jesus made it clear to them that their works clearly show that they are not of God. Again the Jews respond by slandering Jesus: “The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?”” (John 8:48 ESV). Calling Jesus a Samaritan is a very strong charge because the Jews consider the Samaritans to be apostates and those who corrupt the Law.  In trying to think of a more serious crime to charge Jesus with they imply that he is controlled by a demon. As the Jews express their hate for Jesus through their slanderous words and accusing God’s Son of being an evil spirit, I can’t help but wince at the pain they will experience when their time comes to stand in judgment before God and they realize what they had done.

“Jesus answered [them], “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me”” (John 8:49 ESV). Jesus simply ignores their first charge of being a Samaritan and clears himself of the second charge of having a demon by pointing out who he honors. The doctrine Jesus taught tended to exalt God; he continues to imply that he is holy and true and that men should love and obey him. The way Jesus lived his life before them clearly shows that he does not have an evil spirit and is not influenced by one. Therefore, he honors his Father with his life and since they do not recognize this or accept this, they dishonor him.

Jesus continues: “Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge” (John 8:50 ESV). At no time is our previous study have we ever seen Jesus attempt to exalt or to seek his own glory. Jesus has always been willing to lie under their hateful, evil, slanderous reproach because it in no way depreciates his value of who he is. If our relationship to Jesus was like his relationship to his Father, what people said about us would also have little effect on us. We so often see this in our brothers and sisters who are heavily oppressed by persecution. Jesus knows that his Father stands behind him and will one day glorify him. Jesus rests in this because he knows God will take care of his reputation and those who do evil against him will one day stand in judgment.

Prayer

Father, as I think about this lesson I am reminded of “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20a ESV). Being crucified with Christ is the process of my pride being broken. True brokenness allows Christ to live in me and it is this experienced reality that allows me to live in the face of evil with love and forgiveness. Father, I am beginning to understand this as evidence that you are conforming me into the image of Christ. Thank you for connecting this thought with Jesus in this lesson. 

What Divides Us?

Lesson #148

With this lesson we will finish up the section defined by John 8:39 – 47. We finished the last lesson with Jesus describing the devil as a murderer and the father of lies who does not stand in the truth. Jesus claims that the Jews do not have God as their father, as they claim, but the devil. Thus, when Jesus tells them the truth they are unable to believe him (John 8:45). By opposing what Jesus is telling them, with their hateful and intolerable view of the truth, the Jews plainly show they are children of the devil and not children of God.

Jesus then asks them two questions: “Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?” (John 8:46 ESV). Out of perfect confidence that the Jews would be unable to, Jesus asks them to show evidence of his sin; to justify why they should level such slander toward him and the truth he presents. At this time Jesus is not claiming he is sinless as the Son of God, but in the context of this passage they would be unable to present anything that would show that he was not a faithful servant of God. Then, as a faithful servant of God, he asks the Jews why they do not believe him. Jesus is not here defending his behavior as a person, but the truth given him by his Father that he was to deliver to sinful men.

Jesus then summarizes what he has been saying about the Jews: “Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God” (John 8:47 ESV). Since they cannot bring forth any evidence to convict Jesus that what he is saying is not from God, he concludes that they have nothing in common with God because they do not believe what they hear and follow its instruction. Here Jesus provides an important standard in which to measure one’s mind. That standard is the doctrine of Christ; he who rejects it excludes himself from righteousness and life and shows evidence of a reprobate mind; he who embraces it shows evidence of the seal of election. We must be careful to note where we stand and what we do with the doctrine of Christ because it determines who our father really is.

Prayer

Father, when Jesus walked among us he told us that he was the only way that we could come to you; that he and he alone was able to provide us with eternal life. As with the Jews, today Jesus and his doctrine is rejected by most as unimportant and in fact useless; to be repressed even at the cost of the believers’ life. Father, thank you that obedient belief in the doctrine of Christ is indeed evidence of our seal of election. 

Your Works Reflect the Devil

Lesson #147

We continue on in the section, defined by John 8:39 – 47, at verse 43: “Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word” (ESV). I can almost see Jesus standing before them and with the authority of the Son of God, saying to them, “Why do you not understand what I say? Well, let me tell you why. It is because you are not able to accept what I say as truth that is given to me from my Father.” Jesus follows this with a repeat punch: “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44 ESV). Again, for the third time, Jesus tells them that the devil is their father and since the creation of man he has felt compelled to do him harm. Since the devil knew that the Son of God was to come as the Messiah and clothe himself with human flesh, he has done his best to prevent that from happening. With such an intense desire to kill Jesus these Jews are clearly demonstrating that they are doing the work of devil and thus he is their father. The devil was a murderer from the beginning and even today he “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8 ESV).

The devil was not evil by nature, for there was a time when he walked in the truth, but pride was found in his heart and his worship turned from God to himself. The devil is now head over the domain of darkness of which every human is a member apart from Jesus Christ. This evil kingdom is engaged in battle with the kingdom of light, the kingdom of God’s beloved Son. Having turned from the truth he is now knows as the father of lies. The devil hates the truth and therefore cannot endure it and when he speaks he speaks he speaks out of his own nature and all that he speaks are lies. We see this lying in the garden of Eden. God placed man in the garden and said, “from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die” (Genesis 2:17 NASB). But the devil shows us as a serpent and says to the woman, “You will not surely die” (Genesis 3:4 ESV). These Jews speak the same way, accusing Jesus of being an impostor and speaking lies to them. The devil is the father of lies and his children follow his example and speak lies also.

This section contains three more verses, which we will cover in the next lesson.

Prayer

Father, when I was born again I became a new creature in Christ, living in a body of sinful flesh. As a new creature I desire to live a holy and righteous life, allowing Jesus to live his life through me, but my flesh still has ties back to my old father and still struggles to express itself through works learned from him. The battle between self-wanting to live and Christ living in me is constant and, I am sure, will continue until death. Father, please continue to conform me into the image of your Son.

Your Father the Devil

Lesson #146

With this lesson we begin the section defined by John 8:39 – 47, in which Jesus makes it very clear to the Jews that their father is the devil. “They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did” (John 8:39 – 40 ESV). The Jews insisted that Abraham was their father. They would not acknowledge any other possibility and in their minds to do so they would be guilty of slander. Abraham was an honorable man who gave them status, whereas the devil could not even be considered a possibility; pride would not allow that. Jesus responds by pointing out that their works did not correspond to the works of Abraham, which was belief in God. If they truly believed God with the spirit Abraham had, they would understand that Jesus came from God and is speaking the very words of God, but they see him as an impostor to be killed for blasphemy. Jesus makes it clear that this is not how Abraham would respond.

“You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God” (John 8:41 ESV). Again, Jesus is referring back to his claim that their father is the devil and their desire to kill him is proof that they doing the works of this father. The Jews come back to discredit Jesus by stating that he was not virgin born, but was born of sexual immorality. The Jews then identify with God as their father. If God adopted the family of Abraham, then as his offspring they conclude that they must be God’s children. As offspring of the seed of Abraham they assumed that their holiness was secure from birth, but it is not. Because of original sin, every person, Jew included, is born spiritually dead and part of the devil’s family. The Jews, standing before Jesus, simply did not understand that Jesus was the only way to God. Their connection to Abraham, or their relationship to the law, or their animal sacrifices in themselves would not satisfy the justice of God. Only Jesus as the perfect sacrifice and belief in his work on the cross was sufficient.

“Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.”” (John 8: 42 ESV). If God was their father, then Jesus claims that they should know and love his Son, who was standing before them. Whoever is a child of God, Jesus claims, will acknowledge the Son of God, but since you hate me you have no reason to claim that you are God’s children. When Jesus Christ is rejected, there is no fear of God or piety and one is carried off by their sin. Jesus was sent from heaven by his Father and stands before them as their means of salvation. Without him they will continue along the road of deception into the everlasting wrath of God into the depth of a burning hell.

Prayer

Father, I think of the powerful effect the world has had on me and in many ways still has. After 79 years of life, there is still tension between my desire to love and worship the Lord and the draw I feel from the world. My time in China and other parts of the world amplified my struggle by demonstrating the freedom and peace that came with simple living, which seems so hard to secure. Father, draw me deeper into your will for me and that I would abide more deeply in the Lord.

The Son Provides True Freedom

Lesson #145

With this lesson we will finish the section defined by John 8:31 – 38. We ended the last lesson with Jesus saying “everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.” Then he draws a comparison between a slave and a son: “The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever” (John 8:35 ESV). At first this seemed confusing, but when you consider the legal rights of both the slave and the son you see the difference. The slave is not the heir and at any time can be expelled from the house of his master for whatever reason the master decides. But with the son it is different. He is the heir and is privileged with the right to remain in the family; he cannot be expelled or sold as can the slave. As a slave to sin, the Jews may at any time be rejected from being the people of God. So, what is the solution?

Jesus then refers to the son, used in his comparison, and says, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36 ESV). Jesus presents himself as the Son of God who is heir of all thing, who is forever with God the Father, and who has the right and the power to set one free from bondage and the dominion of sin. This freedom the Son has to offer is not a freedom from earthly masters, but from the bondage of sin which has the power to drag one into eternal destruction.

Jesus then agrees with them that they are offspring of Abraham, that they seek to kill him and then gives a reasons why: “I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you” (John 8:37 ESV). Even though the Jews are offspring of Abraham they are found lacking God’s Spirit and in its place they have a hate for God’s Son and seek an opportunity to kill him. This hate for him prevents them from having a place available for the words Jesus is delivering to them.

Jesus continues by saying, “I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father” (John 8:38 ESV). Again, Jesus identifies God as his Father and claims that what he is saying he has seen while with his Father. Jesus claims that what he does he has seen or learned from his Father and He accuses them of doing what they have heard or learned from their father the devil. This implication that their father is the devil will not go unchallenged and will produce even greater hate and contempt for Jesus.

Prayer

Father, this lesson caused me to think back across my life and see where areas of sin had prevented your word from taking root as it should have in me. That sin produced areas of infertile ground where growth was stunted. This ground had to be broken up through confession and seeking forgiveness and nourished through meditating on relevant scriptures. This process, I found, required the passing of time in the presence of trials. There was simply no shortcut. 

The Truth Will Set You Free

Lesson #144

In the next section, defined by John 8:31 – 38, we will learn that the truth will set us free. We begin this section with Jesus speaking to those who accept what Jesus has said so far. “Then Jesus said to those Judeans who had believed him, “If you continue to follow my teaching, you are really my disciples and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:31 – 32 NET). We will soon see that some of these will turn from him and then much later many more will also stop believing, but to those who John says currently believe, Jesus gives a promise and an implied warning. If those who currently accept what Jesus has been saying and continue to follow it, then they are truly his disciples and those the truth will set free. Many, even today, say they believe, but through the passing of time and the presence of trials that challenge their faith, they turn away. A true disciple will not fall away, but will grow spiritually through those trials and will continue on to the very end of life; some even facing death. Those who continue on in his teaching will truly know and understand the truth and will be set free by it.

As Jesus continues to teach, resistance continues to grow and the number of those who believe continue to decrease. “We are descendants of Abraham,” they replied, “and have never been anyone’s slaves! How can you say, ‘You will become free’?” (John 8:33 NET). Again is the problem of Jesus speaking spiritual truth and they hearing with a natural understanding. In their minds they are thinking of being a slave to some human master, but Jesus is speaking of a different kind of enslavement. As descendants of Abraham they claim not to be anyone’s slave, but they are not thinking of the claim sin has on their lives and how it enslaves them.

“Jesus answered them, “I tell you the solemn truth, everyone who practices sin is a slave of sin” (John 8:34 NET). Jesus clarifies his statement about enslavement by explaining that the one who practices sin is a slave of sin; sin is actually their master who they are obeying, so they are not free. As a slave they are unable, on their own, to escape from their sinful pattern of conduct. We will see in John 8:36, that they will need help from Jesus.

Prayer

Father, how easy it is to be drawn away from your word by the world. There is so much I think I would enjoy doing, but when enticed I so often find my expectations not met. Over the 60 years that I have studied your word I have learned much truth, been nourished spiritually, and have a growing, living hope in the life I will spend with you forever. This learned truth has indeed set me free from many things that have been a bondage in my life. Thank you for loving me and setting me free.

To Know that I Am He

Lesson #143

With this lesson we will cover John 8:26 – 30 and finish this section. The Pharisees continue to ask Jesus who he is and he continues to tell them but they don’t understand what he is saying or if they do they will not accept it and believe in him. Jesus continues to say to them: “I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the word what I have heard from him” (John 8:26 ESV). Jesus, speaking to these Pharisees is like speaking to the deaf; they are unable to hear so as to comprehend what he is saying. Jesus knows these Pharisees very well and could say much about them and there is much he could accuse them of concerning their relationship to the doctrine being presented to them. That which Jesus Christ teaches will always stand against the wickedness and contempt of men. Jesus listens to his Father and what he hears is true and so what he declares to the world is true and so we need to listen to and head what he says.

As we just said above, “They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father” (John 8: 27 ESV). They are altogether blind and walk in darkness and unless they come to Jesus in belief that darkness will not be removed and they will continue along the pathway to eternal destruction. This is happening to people all around us today who reject the Gospel. Such blindness and deafness we see here among these religious teachers should warn us to walk in fear before God because without Jesus Christ, eternal judgment stands before us.

Jesus continues his declaration to them and says, “. . . When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me” (John 8:28 ESV). There is a time coming when they will know who he is. They will first judge him for blasphemy, based on false witness, scourge him, and nail him to a cross between two thieves. At his death “. . . the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”” (Matthew 27:51 – 54 ESV). The Pharisees will also know that he did nothing on his own authority and spoke the truth given to him by his Father, but most will still not believe.

Jesus declares that he is not alone, “[Because] he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him” (John 8 29 ESV). As believers this is to be our position before God. We must understand and believe that he who chose us is always with us and will never leave us. In return we are to always do the things that are pleasing to him.

“As [Jesus] was saying these things, many believed in him” (John 8:30 ESV). Even though the Pharisees did not believe, John tells us that there were others who believed. The meaning of believe at this point is probably not believing faith that occurred after Pentecost, but a sort of preparation for that faith. These people who John says believed were able to accept the doctrine Jesus was presenting in preparation for belief after the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Prayer

Father, what a powerful example Jesus is for us; how he stands before those of unbelief and presents the Gospel without argument. His presentation is clear and brief that he is the Son of God who has you as his Father in heaven. Jesus is clear concerning the kind of relationship with you we are to have; one of belief and obedience. Thank you for your love and mercy in choosing me and the security of knowing that you will never leave me or forsake me.

You Will Die In Your Sins Unless

Lesson #142

With this lesson we will cover John 8:23 – 25. Jesus continues his conversation with the Pharisees: “He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.”” (John 8:23 ESV). Jesus shows patience with the Pharisees and explains to them why they do not receive his testimony. He implies that they dislike the kingdom of God because they are from below or belonging to the natural world. As a result, their thinking or their wisdom is earthly, unspiritual, demonic and is accompanied with jealousy and selfish ambition, from which comes disorder and every vile practice (James 3:15 – 16). The natural human mind is unable to understand the Gospel because that requires heavenly wisdom. Jesus is not of this world; he is from above, from his Father and they are unable to understand that with their natural minds.

Jesus continues: “I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins” (John 8:24 ESV). In John 8:21, Jesus told them they would die in their “sin” while here he uses the word “sins”. In verse 21 Jesus used sin to include all their sins and so the meaning is the same. Each one of us is born into this world with a mortal disease with an addiction to continue to sin. Like any addict who is enslaved to their particular substance, their path leads to death unless somehow they can change directions by breaking their enslavement. Jesus then explains how that is possible; unless they believe that “I am he” [they] will die in [their] sin. Jesus and only Jesus is the solution to their dilemma. The “I am he” that Jesus uses to describe himself means Messiah or Son of God; the Christ. This idea of God veiled in a body of flesh is a concept that most people are unable to accept or believe in. The Pharisees are an example of this.

The Pharisees “. . . said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning”” (John 8:25 ESV). It is clear that the Pharisees and Jesus are at an impasse because they ask again who he was. Jesus responds by repeating what he has already told them. There is more in the phrase “from the beginning”, that Jesus uses, than meets the eye. The general consensus is that it implies that he did not arise suddenly, but existed in eternity past and was promised to appear publicly in the future.

Prayer

Father, it is easy to read these three verses and not see the application to us the reader. Unless we believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, veiled in a human body and surrender to him as our Lord and Savior, we will die in our sin. Father, without you touching one’s heart, that one would act no differently than the Pharisees. Father, thank you for giving me understanding and the desire to come to Jesus in belief.

I Am Going Away; You Can’t Come!

Lesson #141

In the next section, defined by John 8:21 – 30, we will consider where Jesus came from and where he is going. So he said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.”” (John 8:21 ESV). Surely Jesus knows that he will not make any further progress with these obstinate men, so he says to them that he is going away to a place where they cannot come, even if they wanted to. The reason they cannot go where he is going is because they do not accept him for who he is and as a result they will die in their sin and go to their destruction.

There seems to be an acceptable time for salvation. In 2 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV), we read, “For he says, “I heard you at the acceptable time, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” Look, now is the acceptable time; look, now is the day of salvation!” It is very possible, if a person continues to ignore the wooing of the Holy Spirit, that one may lose their chance for salvation. Jesus withdrawing from these Pharisees and condemning them to death, I believe, is a warning to us to not delay in making a decision for Christ. “Now is the acceptable time, look, now is the day of salvation; tomorrow may prove to be too late.

As time passes by and a person anguishes in their sinful state, that person may seek for God, but because of their pride and defiance, they will be unable to find him. Remember, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6 ESV). Unless one is humble, broken, before God, God will resist that one. The Scripture is clear that we are to be broken for a purpose. Here that purpose is salvation.

The Pharisees clearly did not understand what Jesus said and so they said, “Will he kill himself, since he says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” (John 8 22 ESV). The Pharisees have come to the point of making fun of what Jesus is saying. They are ridiculing him; they speak words without understanding; they have no feeling but anger and hate. They speak to their own destruction as Jesus said to them. They can’t go where he is going because they are lost in their sin.

We will stop here because verses 23 – 25 belong together and will take another lesson to cover.

Prayer

Father, the day of salvation was sure clear to me some 65 years ago when I felt compelled to accept Jesus Christ into my life. I don’t know how I could have possibly put it off one more day. I knew that was the acceptable time and God did his work in me and I was born again. Father, clearly you came to me and drew me to yourself and gave me to Jesus for eternal life. How can I thank you enough?

Where Is Your Father?

Lesson #140

With this lesson we will finish our study of the section defined by John 8:12 – 20. When Jesus makes reference to his Father who sent him, the Pharisees could remain silent no longer. “They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also”” (John 8:19 ESV). By now the Pharisees should know that Jesus is referring to God when he mentions the name Father, but in contempt they seem to be looking around for his father wondering where he is.

Jesus does not give a direct reply to their question, but instead reproaches them for their ignorance. They ask for the whereabouts of his Father and yet they are unable to recognize the Son of God standing before them. Because of their pride and their wicked ingratitude, they are blind to the one standing before them. Jesus stands before them as the light of the world, but as they reject him for who he is, they continue to walk in darkness and have not sight or understanding. Knowing this Jesus tells them, “You know neither me nor my Father.” Jesus then makes it very clear that they really don’t know God: If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” To know the Father, we must know the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a real problem today. Anyone who says they know God and rejects Jesus as God’s Son is deceived and does not know God and are without eternal life. If Christians were to stand strong on this Biblical truth, we would experience much more persecution in this country.

John then closes this section by describing where Jesus was speaking to the people: “These words he spoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple; but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come” (John 8:20 ESV). Depending upon which commentary one looks at, one finds little or much said on the treasury. It seems to be part of the temple where the sacred offerings were laid up. It is a place where people often come and as a result Jesus may have had a good crowd to speak to. Jesus is speaking these things about him in this sacred place and no one puts forth their hand to arrest him. God is indeed in control and since the hour had not yet come those who hated Jesus were restrained from arresting him.

Prayer

Father, as I thought about my prayer for this lesson I was reminded about two fathers: “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires.” (John 8:44 ESV) and as Jesus said, “If you knew me, you would know my Father also” (John 8:19 ESV) and would do his will. Father, thank you for adopting me from the family whose father is the devil and making me a member of your family, the family of God.

My Testimony Is True

Lesson #139

This lesson continues our study of the section defined by John 8:12 – 20. Jesus continues his defense to the Pharisees by saying, “You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one” (John 8:15 ESV). To “judge according to the flesh” means according to natural understanding and human standards of the world. The sinful nature of the flesh can produce wicked judgments sometimes according to the appearance of the person. Consider how you sometimes judge others, especially before you became a believer. Remember what Jesus said, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For by the standard you judge you will be judged, and the measure you use will be the measure you receive” (Matthew 7:1 – 2 NET). If we are in a situation where we must judge, then the standard we use to judge by is to be from the Word not the world. Jesus then said that he judges no one. What he is saying is that during his earthly ministry he did not come to judge the world, but to be its savior. Jesus will judge the world at his second coming, but not at this time.

Jesus then continues: “Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me” (John 8:16 ESV). Maybe he doesn’t completely surrender his rights and does pass some judgment, but if he does he maintains that his judgment is true and that he is not alone in his judgment. Since his deity is veiled under his flesh, he doesn’t openly declare that he is the Son of God, but instead defers to referring to his Father as the second witness required by the law for a testimony to be considered.

Jesus then refers back to the law: “In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true” (John 8:17 ESV). Jesus agrees that the law requires two witnesses. He is not willing, at this time, to explain that he is both man and God, but instead he asserts that his testimony is from the Father, the second witness. Jesus then concludes his testimony by saying, “I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me” (John 8:18 ESV). Jesus bears witness about himself, but remember at the baptism when a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17 ESV). Here the connection is made between Jesus and his Father. We bear witness that what I say is true.

We will wait and finish this section in the next lesson.

Prayer

Father, as I ponder over this lesson and think about how to pray, I am impressed by Jesus, who is the Son of God veiled in flesh, who defers attention from himself and directs it to his Father to whom he is in submission to. My flesh desires recognition and as a result it is a constant battle for me to live in subjection to Christ and to die to the desires of my flesh. Father, continue to break me so that I would be suitable for your service.