As we wrap up chapter 8 of the John’s Gospel, Jesus had some very important words to say to the crowds who seemed to always be gathered around Him. Although Moses received the Law at Mt. Horeb in about 1,400 BC, the Jews always looked to Abraham as “the father of their faith,” who received God’s promise of land, a nation, and the promise of the Messiah. And Abraham received God’s promise around 2,000 BC, some 600 years prior to the giving of the Law. Although many Jews felt that the Law superseded God’s promise to Abraham, the Apostle Paul argued correctly by saying that the Law never took the place of God’s promise, received by faith. 

Jesus told the crowd that had gathered,

“If you are Abraham’s children, then do the deeds of Abraham. But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. You are doing the deeds of your father” (John 8:39-41). 

So now, we have an interesting contrast, in that Jesus separated Abraham from their true father. Now check out how the Jews responded:

“We…have one Father, even God” (John 8:41).

The Jews were trying to be super-pious, saying that their real father was not Abraham, but God Himself. But Jesus turned the table on them again, saying:

“If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded from and have come from God, for I have not come on my own initiative, but He who sent Me” (John 8:42).

And then Jesus revealed to them who their real father was, by saying:

“You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies” (John 8:44).

Ouch! Jesus told them plainly that neither God nor Abraham was their father, but the Devil himself. Of course, Jesus is speaking figuratively, but the link is between the Devil being a liar (just as he did to Adam and Even in the Garden, twisting the truth about what God really said about the fruit of the tree). In fact, the entire human race is suffering the consequences of “the lie,” which the Devil tries to convince each of us even today. 

That lie can come in many and various forms: “God doesn’t really love me;” “Jesus didn’t die for my sins, I have to pay for them myself; ” “I’m no good and I’ll never amount to anything;” Life is hopeless, and I will die in my sins and my own misery;” and on and on go the lies proceeding directly from the Devil as he whispers into our ears. This is why Jesus came to tell the truth about God, about His Son, and about each of us. Jesus went on:

“Because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me” (John 8:45).

Interestingly, the Jews were not really concerned about the truth, but about maintaining their own power and prestige. Ultimately, it was pride that kept them from knowing and accepting Jesus as their Messiah. And then Jesus rocked them on their heels by saying: 

“Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad” (John 8:56).

What was that again? Here was their response:

“You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” (John 8:57).

And then Jesus dropped the bombshell:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am” (John 8:58).

Yes, Jesus said that He existed before Abraham (2,000 years before Jesus came to earth), and this, of course, pointed straight to His deity. And the Jews knew this, remembering that God introduced Himself to Moses with His name “I am.” So how did the Jews respond? They were done with words as they:

“Picked up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself, and went out of the temple” (John 8:59).

Just like they had picked up stones to throw at the woman caught in adultery earlier in Chapter 8, so they picked up stones to throw at Jesus at the end of Chapter 8. But it was not His time. His time had not yet come, as He knew that it would come during Passover, as He would be our Passover Lamb who would shed His blood for our sins. 

Jesus is the “truth speaker.” How can we know the truth that will set us free from the penalty and power of sin? We need to know His Word, and the spoken words of Jesus that are included in His Word. Let’s remember to pick up our Bibles and read those life-changing words of Jesus. They were recorded by the writers of the Gospels, and we have access to those words today. And those words that point to Jesus will change your life. 

Many blessings to you as we continue preparing our hearts for the celebration coming on Christmas Day.