Week #39 Knowing the Truth John 8:37-59 Presented live on August 20, 2017 I. Introduction and review A. The portion of John 8 which we studied last session makes it clear that the Jews just don t understand what Jesus is saying. 1. Why is that? 2. Consider I Corinthians 2:14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 3. Remember the conversation with Nicodemus: John 3:10-12 Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things? 11 "Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony. 12 "If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? B. The Jews respond to Jesus assertion that they are slaves by claiming to be Abraham s descendants 1. It would appear that such an argument would not be very helpful 2. Jesus is then going to go on the attack, starting with their Page 1 of 8
II. claimed birthright The test of Abraham and his character A. Jesus acknowledges that they are descendants of Abraham [8:37-38] 1. But then He reminds us that he is the word of God in human flesh 2. And therefore to reject Him is to reject God 3. And then His sole acknowledgment was that these Jews were only the biological descendants of Abraham B. Then Jesus creates a comparison between His Father and their father 1. Jesus claims that His Father is the first person of the Trinity 2. And then indicates that these Jews who are opposing Him have quite a different father have quite a different father C. The Jews respond that there father is Abraham [8:39-41a] 1. So we stop and ask this question: Does God really make such distinctions as biological versus spiritual descendants? Consider: a. Matthew 3:9 and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father'; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. b. Romans 9:6-8 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; 7 nor are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but: "THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED." 8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. c. Galatians 3:6-7 Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. d. Revelation 3:9 Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie-- I will make them come and bow Page 2 of 8
down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you. 2. Jesus in retort then claims, that if Abraham were their father, they should do the works of Abraham. 3. And then moves from ancestry to actions, saying that they are not doing what Abraham would do 4. Jesus finishes by stating that these Jews who are opposing Him are in fact doing the work of their father, and that work is primarily seeking to kill Jesus 5. There response to Jesus is saddening, rather then choosing to reflect and repent, they respond with hatred D. The Jews reply is now without regard to civility [8:41b] 1. They claim that: 2. Jesus, unlike them, was born from an unwed mother 3. And that their father was God, His being an unknown adulterer E. Jesus rejoins their argument with a lengthy response [8:42-47] in which He claims: 1. If God was really their father, they would love Him 2. One reason for that is that Jesus came from God to earth 3. Secondly, that He is God s Son 4. They can t even understand what He is saying to them a. The implication is that what He is saying is over their heads b. And/or that hearing, they don t hear c. It is like the English idiom: In one ear and out the other 5. Then He clearly states that they are of their father the devil a. One indication of that is the acts that they do b. Jesus calls Satan a murderer (1) Was that true? (2) Consider Cain and Able (3) And Gen. 4:6-7 c. He then claims that Satan is a liar and the father of lies d. And since he is their father, that is what they have been doing, the things that their father would do e. That is they have been lying to Jesus, the people, each Page 3 of 8
other and the Romans 6. Then Jesus explains to them why they don t believe Him a. He is telling them the truth b. But they are only used to hearing and telling lies c. And they can t recognize the truth when they hear it 7. Now Jesus issues them a challenge none of us could issue a. Tell me where I have sinned b. No one took up the challenge 8. He then finishes with this syllogism a. He who is of God, hears the words of God b. You do not hear the word of God c. Therefore you are not of God F. These Jews are getting mauled, so they try to take the fight back to Jesus [8:48] 1. They have no come to realize that they can not beat: a. Jesus logic, b. They can t match His knowledge of the Scripture, and c. They can t even begin to know His experience outside of this world, d. So they seek to attack Him personally 2. They accuse him again of being a Samaritan a. That would mean that He was born from an unwed mother b. And that His biological father was a Gentile c. It would also mean that He had been conceived in sin d. And that He was disqualified from being the Messiah or the King of Israel 3. And they further accuse Him of being demon possessed a. This could be understood to mean exactly what was said b. Or that they were claiming the He was bereft of His sanity G. Jesus replies [8:49-51] 1. He denies being insane, demon possessed or controlled by Satan 2. He claims that He is here to honor His Father Page 4 of 8
3. And that these Jews dishonor Him (because they have no idea who He really is) 4. Jesus then make one of His emphatic statements: if anyone keeps His word, they will never see death a. That is spiritual death b. What does He mean: keep my word H. The Jews no believe that Jesus has made a mistake and they can finally win a game in this tennis match [8:52-53] so they renew their attack 1. But their disbelief is based upon their spiritually myopic understanding of what Jesus was saying 2. They claim once again that He is possessed with a demon 3. For there is no way His statement of no death can be right 4. Abraham, the revered one, he died 5. The prophets God sent to Israel all died and now this man is claiming to be higher then all of them I. But the one walking into the trap was not Jesus [8:54-56] 1. Jesus once again claims that He is seeking His own glory but that of Him who sent Him 2. As a result, the One who sent Him will glorify Jesus 3. And that is Father is the same one who these Jews claim to be their God 4. He goes on to say that He knows their God intimately, but they, on the other hand, don t even know their own God 5. Then Jesus makes a statement that is so far reaching, ominous to the Jews, and a riddle at first a. Abraham rejoiced to see Jesus day b. And when he saw it he rejoiced c. What is Jesus talking about? J. How did Abraham see Jesus day? 1. By believing in the promises of his God. Consider Heb. 11:10, 16 2. By type, consider the events described in Gen. 22 a. Who spoke to Abraham in 22:1-2 b. Who spoke to Abraham in 22:11 c. And where is the speaker when speaks d. Who speaks to Abraham in 22:15 Page 5 of 8
e. What did God show Abraham in this test? f. How can one know what Abraham came to know and to see in this exercise? g. Consider Heb. 11:17-19 3. Third by special revelation a. James 2:23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God. b. How does Jesus treat His friends? John 15:15 "No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. c. Psalm 25:14 The secret of the LORD is for those who fear Him, And He will make them know His covenant. K. The Jews then respond incredulously, How can you say that you ve seen Abraham or that he has seen you 1. And then Jesus makes the famous and far reaching statement 2. He begins with the words verily, verily to make His statement emphatic and axiomatic 3. Before Abraham was born, I am 4. Some translations leave out the word born 5. What is Jesus saying? 6. The Jews could not ignore this statement L. And so they picked up stones with which to stone Him [8:59] 1. Herein there appears to be a rub 2. The liberal scholars point to this passage as a clear example of Biblical error 3. This discourse with our Lord was taking place in the Temple, in the Court of Women 4. This is a location that is keep clean out of respect and adoration for God in a works based religion 5. There are no rocks strewn around this portion of the Page 6 of 8
III. Temple 6. So how could these Jews pick up rocks with which to stone Jesus? M. Jesus, as always in control, hid Himself and left the Temple 1. Because it was not His time 2. What does it mean hid Himself? Some parting thoughts A. What is Jesus saying when He says that the truth shall set you free [8:32, 36] 1. Truth is not capitalized here or in John 14:6 2. That may be because it is not a name of Jesus but a character trait or attribute of our Lord 3. In the same way that liar or murderer are not the names of Satan but character traits or attributes of his B. So what is being communicated to us in this passage? 1. God s truth never restricts a. Instead it sets your free b. Is there an area of bondage in your life? c. Do you fail repeatedly to obey God in one particular area d. It may be that you do not yet understand the truth of God that can free you 2. You may feel powerless to meet the challenges which you must face a. Consider Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 3. You may count yourself to be defeated by your circumstances continually a. But not when you truly experience Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 4. You believe yourself to be enslaved by a particular sin or evil a. But in 1 John 1:9 it says: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Page 7 of 8
5. Do not all of these truths plus many more, await the implementation of the Holy Spirit in our lives? 6. It is one thing to know about truth 7. It is a totally different thing to experience the truth of God being worked out in your life 8. God s truth can have no effect on you unless you believe it and accept it a. What truth would you like for Him to incorporate into your life b. We must allow God to implement His truth into your lives c. And to pray over that implementation www.believersbibleclass.com and www.believersbibleclass.podbean.com 2017 - Believer s Bible Class, & Douglas W. Brady Page 8 of 8