As Jesus explains some truth to people around Him in John 8:31-58, their response seems pretty juvenile. However, when people don’t want to listen to what you are saying, they will call you most anything, I guess.
The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?”
John 8:48 NIV
It’s possible that these name-callers are merely repeating what they have heard elsewhere. I can envision rumors of Jesus talking with a Samaritan woman (see John 4) growing and becoming distorted, for instance. And, we know that people also insulted Jesus by falsely associating Him with demons.
I have heard from others (even adults) who are offended because someone called them a hurtful name (or two), and I encourage them to remember that – just like kids on the playground – bullies and closed-minded people will always find some insult to use on others. We can’t change that people do mean stuff to us, but we can consider the dark place from which the other person must be saying these things, and we can pray for them.
Jesus seems pretty polite here, when I might have just responded with more name-calling in return.
“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
He reaffirms the legitimacy of what He is saying, points out that He isn’t presenting His message to make Himself “look good”, and returns to His point about offering salvation. (By the way, just as Jesus glorified God the Father, that’s is a good example for us, as well. See John 12:23-32.)
In verses 52-53, Jesus gets pushback on a physical interpretation of His promise (from verse 51) that those who follow His word won’t see death. The audience considers Abraham to be about as great as anyone could be, and since Abraham’s mortal body had died a long time ago (along with respected prophets), not dying would suggest someone greater than these revered persons from the past.
Do you wonder if Jesus ever got tired of people interpreting what He said so literally? I mean, what He said was true, but it often required an understanding of reality that included both physical and spiritual aspects. Of course, Jesus was familiar with both of these domains, but many of his hearers seem to not have been.
In light of Jesus’ message recorded in the text for this series of articles (John 8:31-58), I wonder if this false idea – the misunderstanding that the material world is all that there is – is part of the devil’s big lie? In that context, it would be difficult for anyone steeped in materialism or scientism to correctly hear the truth from God: that this physical universe is quite real, but there is also a spiritual world which transcends it.
Jesus is pretty clear, here: He is glorified by God the Father, who the people were claiming was their father (even though their behavior didn’t match up with that claim). Jesus can’t say otherwise. In fact, He would be lying if He said that He didn’t know God the Father.
Yet again, the response to Jesus’ statements (verse 57) shows that they do not understand the reality of the spiritual realm, and how Jesus could have known Abraham millennia before, while still standing and speaking with them today.
Next, though, Jesus makes a bold and dramatic claim.
“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”
John 8:58 NIV
You might know people today who believe that Jesus never claimed to be God, but this passage makes it pretty clear to me that Jesus was equating His existence with the eternal God. I’m further inclined to agree with the NASB footnote, which ties this statement back to God telling His name to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:13-15).
We might refer to God as “Yahweh”, the great “I AM”, or other names that indicate His eternal existence. The people in the crowd here clearly understood what Jesus was saying, and – despite Jesus actually being God – the crowd considered it blasphemy (which – if it wasn’t true – it would be).
However, it wasn’t time for Jesus to give His life over for the salvation of the world, and He escaped the crowd’s intended stoning (verse 59). If you’re worried about the consequences of doing or saying the right thing, don’t forget that the same God protects you and me, and we have nothing to fear.
Reflecting back on all of John 8:31-58, our Father should be God, and our lives should reflect Him. Anyone else that tries to whisper in our ear with something to the contrary is lying, so we must resist their pull that tries to keep us away from Him.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for January 7, 2024
References:
- The Lookout, January 7, 2024, © 2024 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – John, by Beauford H. Bryant and Mark S. Krause. © 1998 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 