John 8:31-59
Q.1. In what way are all people slaves? Where does this slavery lead? What does it take to be set free by Jesus? How did the Jews slander Jesus? (Jn.8:31-41)
Jesus asserted that all who sin are slaves to sin. We all fail on this score. We cannot even abide by the demands we place on others, let alone God’s perfect law (Jms.2:10). This slavery ultimately leads us to oppose God and the Truth … unless we place our trust in His Son, Jesus. This involves embracing the teaching of Christ and keeping His Word. This involves embracing the teaching of Christ and keeping His Word. Real faith frees us from the bondage of slavery to sin. The Jews clung to their heritage and religion. However, this neither broke their bondage to sin, nor their opposition to God’s amazing provision for sinners through faith in His Son. Rumours about Christ’s virgin birth were in circulation. They rejected the truth of the Virgin Birth, and asserted that Jesus’ birth was an illegitimate birth – … They said to Him, ‘We were not born of fornication; we have one Father: God’ (Jn.8:41).
Q.2. Why did the Jews reject Jesus? What are the characteristics of the Devil and his children? How did Jesus declare His own sinlessness? (Jn.8:42-47)
These Jews claimed to be believers and descendants of Abraham. Jesus stated – He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God (Jn.8:47) … they had not given their lives to God at all. Belonging to God is not the same as being religious. It is characterized by hearing and obeying the Word of God. These Jews were in the clutches of the Devil, who thrives on lies and murder – 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 (Jn.8:44). Jesus contrasted the character of Satan with His own by asking – 46 Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 He, who is of God, hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God (Jn.8:46-47). No other person in his right mind would claim to be sinless and give such a challenge.
Q.3. In what way is death not to be feared by God’s children? What did the Jews make of the claim by Jesus that He existed before Abraham? What does this tell us? (Jn.8:48-59)
John had already recorded Christ’s promise that His children have already passed from death to life (Jn.5:24). Here, He again confirmed that death is not to be feared by believers – Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word, he will never see death (Jn.8:51). These are not promises that Christians are not subject to the ageing, frailty, and the consequences of the Fall (This was the interpretation by the Jews – Jn.8:52-53). Christ’s promises revealed that God’s true children need not fear the alienation from the Giver of Life, that happens at the death of unbelievers (Rev.20:5-6, 11-15). Then Jesus made an unmistakable claim to His being God – … Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I AM (Jn.8:58). This claim brought an angry response – Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple (Jn.8:59). Why did they do this? Because they knew exactly what it was that Jesus was claiming (c.f. Jn.10:33; 19:7). However, at this one time, Jesus escaped and hid from His assailants.