Day 34-Monday, March 18th
John 8:48-59
Playing All the Cards
The argument between Jesus and these unbelieving Jews comes to a head when Jesus truthfully tells these Jews that they are children of the devil-the father of lies (see 8:44) and this is why they are unable to believe in Him. This enrages these Jews who respond like children. In effect, they say that they aren’t children of the devil, but rather Jesus is demon-possessed…and, on top of that, He is a Samaritan, a half-breed Jew.
The Jews answered Him, “Aren’t we right in saying that You are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?” John 8:48 NIV
This is some mudslinging here as these Jews attempt to discredit Jesus once again-this time with blatant insults. Jesus again speaks of His relationship with His Father.
“I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and He is the judge. Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.” John 8:49-51 NIV
The minds of these Jews are reeling. Never see death? No rabbi has ever taught in such a way in their hearing. Does He actually think He is greater than Abraham? With this statement from Jesus, the Jews begin shouting at Jesus…
At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that You are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet You say that whoever obeys Your word will never taste death. Are You greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do You think You are?” John 8:52-53 NIV
This must have been mind-numbing for Jesus to have to keep circling back to this question of His identity. He has revealed His true identity to the crowds numerous times with many in believing in Him (see 8:30) and yet these unbelieving Jews can’t see the truth. Once again, He explains His relationship with God the Father.
Jesus replied, “If I glorify Myself, My glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies Me. Though you do not know Him, I know Him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey His word. John 8:54-55 NIV
The issue is simple, these Jews don’t believe in Jesus because they don’t know God the Father. Instead, they are children of the devil who distorts their thinking. Jesus circles back to Abraham, who has been a central theme in their arguments against Him.
Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing My day; he saw it and was glad.” John 8:56 NIV
Not only is Jesus claiming to have come “from above” from the Father, but now He is claiming to know Abraham!! This is too much!
“You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!” John 8:57 NIV
Jesus sees this as the perfect opportunity reveal the full truth about while He has been speaking
“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” John 8:58 NIV
You can almost hear someone in the crowd saying “That’s it! That blasphemy! Let’s put this liar to death! However, Jesus slips away from their grasp.
At this, they picked up stones to stone Him, but Jesus hid Himself, slipping away from the temple grounds. John 8:59 NIV
The Gospel writer John has focused on the true identity of Jesus now for two full chapters (6-7) building up to the statement of Jesus in verse 58. These Jews would have immediately connected this statement with the name of God given to Moses in the desert in Exodus 3:13-14.
Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is His name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”
God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”
The crowd grabbed stones to execute Him because this was tantamount to pure blasphemy. Claiming to be the I AM was punishable by death-unless of course it is true!
Questions to consider:
What role do you think the devil really plays in keeping people from believing in Jesus?
How do you think the devil works to influence our thinking about who Jesus is?