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f) The devil, murderer and liar (John 8:37-47)
JOHN 8:37-39
37 I know that you are Abraham’s seed, yet you seek to kill me, because my word finds no place in you. 38 I say the things which I have seen with my Father; and you also do the things which you have seen with your father.” 39 They answered him, “Our father is Abraham.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham.
The Jews regarded themselves as of Abraham’s seed, and assumed that for this reason, the link with the Father of faith they inherited the promises that God had bestowed on His obedient servant.
Jesus did not reject the privileges of this relationship, but was grieved that the children of Abraham were devoid of the ancestor’s spirit. This had given him the capacity to listen to God’s voice and to keep His word. As a result they shut their hearts to Jesus’ words, and these words failed to enter their hearts or to illumine them. They remained ignorant and unbelieving.
Christ’s utterances bore no fruit in that multitude other than refusal and hatred. Most likely, most of them were not at that stage intent on killing Jesus, but Jesus, however, uncovered the intents of their hearts and knew that hatred is a prelude to murder. Soon they would cry out "Crucify him, crucify him" (Matthew 27:21–23; John 19:15).
Abraham heard God’s voice and instantly obeyed Him. More wonderfully, Jesus not only listened to his Father’s voice constantly but saw God’s works and majesty. His revelation was complete, springing from a firm fellowship with God. Jesus is Spirit from His Spirit and love from His love.
But the Jews hated the One begotten of the Father. This proved that they were not coming from the true God. The source of their thinking was other than heavenly. At this stage of the argument, Jesus tried to draw them into thinking about the identity of their "fathers". It was not Abraham.
JOHN 8:40-41
40 But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham didn’t do this. 41 You do the works of your father.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father, God.”
The Jews resented Christ’s words because he had accused them of being out of line with Abraham’s spirit. Their confidence with their descent from Abraham formed the basis of their faith and hope and their boasting. So, how dare Jesus find fault with their Abrahamic connection and annul it.
Jesus also showed them that Abraham’s works were in obedience of faith in God when he left as a migrant. His trust in God’s faithfulness was demonstrated when he offered to sacrifice his son Isaac, as was the humility he showed towards his nephew Lot. But the Jews displayed their obstinacy, rebellion and unbelief and their spirit was contrary to Christ’s. Thus they disputed the truth incarnate standing in their midst nor did they listen to God’s voice through him. Jesus came not as God’s Son surrounded by angels in glory, but as a simple man having only the impact of His words. He did not compel men to accept his Gospel but he came to reveal God’s love, grace and name. They refused this good news with contempt, and so they toyed with the thought of killing him. This contrasts with the qualities and deeds of Abraham; he heard, obeyed, lived and did in accordance with God’s revelation.
JOHN 8:42-43
42 Therefore Jesus said to them, “If God were your father, you would love me, for I came out and have come from God. For I haven’t come of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why don’t you understand my speech? Because you can’t hear my word.
Jesus proved to the Jews that Abraham was not their father and so he led them to discern the name of the actual father whom they were following. As he was, so they were also.
The Jews felt that Jesus had made plain the difference between him and them. They replied that they were not the children of fornication unlike the Moabites and Ammonites who were born of incest (Genesis 19:36–38). Nor were they a mixed race like the Samaritans since they claimed that God was their Father relying on the passage in Exodus 4:22 and Deuteronomy 32:6 as well as Isaiah 63:16. When Jesus pointed out that God was his Father they retorted that he was their Father also according to Scripture. This was a doctrine of their faith for which they had struggled and suffered. But their witness was false.
Jesus demonstrated briefly that they were deceiving themselves. He said, "If God were your Father, you would have loved me, because God is love not hate. He loves His Son who proceeds from Him, and the Son carries His essence." Jesus was not independent of the Father even for a moment, but obeyed Him as an obedient apostle.
Then Jesus asked the multitude, "Why do you fail to understand my language? I do not speak in alien tongues, but I offered my Spirit in simple words, that even the little ones would grasp." Jesus answered his own question, saying to his enemies, "You cannot listen; you are not free but slaves; your spiritual lives are lost. You resemble the deaf who do not hear the call."
Dear brother, how is your hearing spiritually, do you hear God’s word in your heart? Do you hear His voice eager to cleanse and order your inner being? Or are you proud and deaf, because a strange spirit has taken hold of you? Do you work for God in the power of the Gospel or does an evil spirit indwell you, and you follow its directions?
QUESTION:
- How did Jesus prove to the Jews that they were not the children of Abraham?