The Gospel of John #49
/By Robert E. Guenther
We are continuing our review of the Gospel of John, Chapter 8, which is continuing the debate on whether or not the rulers should believe that this man Jesus is indeed the Christ.
Vs. John 8:33 “They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?” The Lord is trying to instruct them that they are slaves to sin. They could be free to do that which is right if they would accept Him as their Lord and Saviour.
Vs. John 8:34 “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” His response isn’t what they expected, but is exactly what they needed to hear.
Vs. John 8:35 “And the servant abideth not in the house for ever; but the Son abideth ever.” You will not always dwell in these earthly bodies forever but the Lord will abide as the Son forever.
Vs. John 8:36 “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” Free to serve and no longer be a slave to your bodies of sin.
Vs. John 8:37 “I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.” The Lord knew the hearts of these men and knew they wanted to kill him. Therefore He knew they did not belong to His Father. Just being related to Abraham did not secure a place for them in His Kingdom.
Vs. John 8:38 “I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.” The Lord was telling them the truth and what they needed to hear. Their father was a murderer. John 8:44 “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
Vs. John 8:39 “They answered and said unto Him, Abraham is our father. Jesus said unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.” Their relationship with Abraham put them in a position to receive certain promises after they were saved and not before.
Vs. John 8:40 “But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.” Their attitude and desire proved what was in their hearts. Their intent to kill Him was not a thought Abraham ever had.
Vs. John 8:41 “Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one father, even God.” The Lord was not accusing them of fornication but of wanting to kill Him. these words I can imagine were why they hated Him so much but as we know the truth is what they needed to hear and believe in order to have life in His name.
to be continued...
