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John 8:37-47 (ESV)
37 I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. 38 I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.” 39 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, 40 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. 41 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.” 42 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. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 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. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
How can this be? In just seven verses a massive shift has taken place. We’ve had Jesus’ incredible invitation to the crowd to make their home in His Word. We know that in this crowd there are many who have believed (vs. 30). But now, we’ve gone from belief to hate, from worship to murder, and it’s hard to figure out why.
In fact, these are the most difficult verses in John’s Gospel, and these verses have been used and abused to launch the murder of millions during WWII. So we must tread very carefully.
We must realize that Jesus is speaking to a specific crowd and not about the entire Jewish people. Please remember that Jesus, and His disciples, were Jewish.
So what gives? Why is there such a harsh exchange?
This exchange with Jesus doesn’t fit with the image that most of us have of Jesus being gentle, loving, and caring. His words are sharp and penetrating.
We need to remember that the group Jesus is addressing is filled with those who truly are trying to kill Him (remember 5:18?). The religious leaders present have already decided against Jesus. They’ve decided that He is leading the people astray. They’ve already tried to arrest Jesus, and soon, in the verses that follow, we’ll be clued into the fact that the mob wants to stone Jesus (vs. 59).
So this is no friendly discussion or civil debate that is taking place.
Jesus’ charge against this specific mob is that they are bent on murder, and anyone bent on murder is clearly not centered on the Lord, or aligned with Abraham (who they claim as their own), for if they were truly aligned with Abraham, they would know that Abraham’s heart was centered on the Lord and they would follow in Abraham’s footsteps believing in God’s promises (Genesis 12:1-3)—which, by the way, point to Jesus.
The final verse of the passage is powerful as Jesus proclaims that a person whose life is rooted in God is the one who is making their home in His Word. They know the truth (which is Jesus) as they continually listen to the words of God. However, the fact of the matter is that this mob is not listening to the Word, they are deaf, and their lives are not rooted in the home of His Word.
The fact that they are bent on murder clearly shows that their home is not in His Word, rather their home is darkness and everything which is opposed to God.
Should we be surprised? Remember back in chapter one, “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.” (John 1:9-11).
So what about us? We’re not that mob. However, there is a question for us here that we must ask of ourselves and our churches, “Are we rooted in God’s Word? Is our home in His Word?” Or is our home rooted in our own ideals, convictions, desires, practices, expectations, and traditions?
And then perhaps, if we dare, one more question should be asked, “Are we willing to listen, truly listen to Jesus?”
God bless you and know that I’m praying for you constantly.
Scott
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