Normally my posts for Study of John are on Tuesdays but due to blogger error, I scheduled a post for yesterday meant for today. In case you missed it, it is A Woman In Danger Meets Jesus.
As we continue in John chapter 8, we see the conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders become more intense. However, the repeated theme in John of my time or my hour has not yet come shows up again in John 8:20:
Yet no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come.
In John 8:12 Jesus proclaimed:
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
This drew the Pharisees, religious leaders, attention. They were ready to debate. Thinking they could gain the upper hand they brought about the need for witnesses. Keep in mind Jesus had a purpose behind everything he said and did while on earth.
The Pharisees argued:
“Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.”
Jesus’ response opened up the dialogue that would lead to a major revelation about Jesus.
“I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”
Jesus claimed God the Father as his supporting witness. At other occasions he would refer to John the Baptist or the miracles Jesus did. Jesus intentionally brings up the Father as his witness to lead the conversation to where he wanted it to go. The Pharisees thinking they had Jesus due to rumors surrounding his birth asked::
“Where is your father?”
Jesus answered:
“You do not know me or my Father,”
Jesus made a statement to the Jews who believed him:
“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
This drew the immediate reaction of:
“We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”
They prided themselves on being descendants of Abraham.
Jesus replied:
“I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.”
Jesus is making a clear distinction between his Father, God the Father, and their father.Their response was an attempted dig at Jesus because of the controversy surrounding his birth, the rumors of being illegitimate
“We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”
Jesus did not back down:
“If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me.”
Jesus then lowers the boom:
“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. “
After more interaction, Jesus tells them:
“Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.”
The Jews thought they had the upper hand but it was all leading to Jesus revealing a huge truth about himself.
“You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”
The conversation comes to the point Jesus was getting to. He revealed his Deity by claiming for himself the title God used when he revealed himself to Moses by saying I AM.
“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”
How do we know that is what Jesus was claiming? Look at the response of the Jews.
At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.
They sought to stone him which was the punishment for blasphemy.
So what was the major revelation about himself that Jesus was getting to and guiding the conversation to?
Jesus is God the Son. He is a coequal member of the Holy Trinity-Father. Son, and Holy Spirit.
We see repeatedly in John that Jesus speaks of a distinct other person- The Father and of himself The Son. We will see in later chapters Jesus refers to a third distinct person- Holy Spirit.
The question is the same as Jesus Peter when Jesus asked,”Who do you say that I am?”
Who do we not only say but believe Jesus is?
Thank you for reading. God Bless.
Jesusluvsall's Blog 
Jesus is Christ, the Son of the living God. We are blessed! 🌺
Amen. We are so blessed 🙂
I loke the way you matched your comments into the scripture. It made the truths in the scripture stand out even more. And this discussion between Jesus and the Jews makes this section a pivotal point for all of scripture.
Thank you. I agree. Jesus revealing who he is makes this passage so pivotal.
I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. What a promise!!
A great promise 🙂
I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. What a promise!!
I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father. What a rebuke!!
Yes it was. Jesus did not back down from the hypocrites
We are so blessed to know Jesus, the Son of the living God. I am amazed He would come to live within our hearts.
It amazes me too
Jesus is the Christ, My Saviour, Son of the living God.
Amen!!!