John 8:31-59 | 1 John 2:15-17
The passage for today begins with Jesus talking to “the Jews who believed in him” and ends with him dismissed by “the Jewish opposition.” We are unsure if it’s the same group of people, but it appears to be as the conversation progresses.
There are many metaphorical images at work here. But a central theme is truth. Its relationship to other major themes in John is strong, namely, life & light.
Let’s be honest that Jesus’ words here continue to be difficult. While his burden may be light and his yoke easy, getting there takes some significant commitment. That is his point. And not only commitment, but commitment to the right thing.
So much in our faith lives can appear to be right, worthy, and true. But in the end, it’s just Jesus and God the Father. This is indeed a message for today.
John 8:31-59
Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teaching. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
They responded, “We are Abraham’s children; we’ve never been anyone’s slaves. How can you say that we will be set free?”
Jesus answered, “I assure you that everyone who sins is a slave to sin. A slave isn’t a permanent member of the household, but a son is. Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you really will be free. I know that you are Abraham’s children, yet you want to kill me because you don’t welcome my teaching. I’m telling you what I’ve seen when I am with the Father, but you are doing what you’ve heard from your father.”
They replied, “Our father is Abraham.”
Jesus responded, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do Abraham’s works. Instead, you want to kill me, though I am the one who has spoken the truth I heard from God. Abraham didn’t do this. You are doing your father’s works.”
They said, “Our ancestry isn’t in question! The only Father we have is God!”
Jesus replied, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God. Here I am. I haven’t come on my own. God sent me. Why don’t you understand what I’m saying? It’s because you can’t really hear my words. Your father is the devil. You are his children, and you want to do what your father wants. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has never stood for the truth, because there’s no truth in him. Whenever that liar speaks, he speaks according to his own nature, because he’s a liar and the father of liars. Because I speak the truth, you don’t believe me. Who among you can show I’m guilty of sin? Since I speak the truth, why don’t you believe me? God’s children listen to God’s words. You don’t listen to me because you aren’t God’s children.”
The Jewish opposition answered, “We were right to say that you are a Samaritan and have a demon, weren’t we?”
“I don’t have a demon,” Jesus replied. “But I honor my Father and you dishonor me. I’m not trying to bring glory to myself. There’s one who is seeking to glorify me, and he’s the judge. I assure you that whoever keeps my word will never die.”
The Jewish opposition said to Jesus, “Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham and the prophets died, yet you say, ‘Whoever keeps my word will never die.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died and the prophets died, so who do you make yourself out to be?”
Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is meaningless. My Father, who you say is your God, is the one who glorifies me. You don’t know him, but I do. If I said I didn’t know him, I would be like you, a liar. But I do know him, and I keep his word. Your father Abraham was overjoyed that he would see my day. He saw it and was happy.”
“You aren’t even 50 years old!” the Jewish opposition replied. “How can you say that you have seen Abraham?”
“I assure you,” Jesus replied, “before Abraham was, I Am.” So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and left the temple.
1 John 2:15-17
Don’t love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in them. Everything that is in the world—the craving for whatever the body feels, the craving for whatever the eyes see and the arrogant pride in one’s possessions—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world and its cravings are passing away, but the person who does the will of God remains forever.
Prayer
God,
Does faith have to be hard? I mean, I know it’s “as simple” as just following Jesus, but it does feel like following him is hard to figure out sometimes. When I look around at others’ understandings of Jesus, there seem to be a whole multitude, often polar opposites.
Further, I want to have faith like a child, but I’m no longer a child. I’ve got baggage.
So help me, God: Help me to know the right Christ. Not some Christ I’ve made up out of my preferences or desires for simplicity, but the real Christ.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.