You Are of Your Father The Devil
June 8, 2019
Commentary
The Jews claimed Abraham as their spiritual father, but Jesus responded by stating that spiritual descendants of Abraham do what Abraham did, believing and obeying God (v. 39). These Jews were very unlike Abraham (v.40). He listened to God’s truth and obeyed it, but these religious leaders were proud and rejected the truth. Our church membership and family connections will not make us true children of God. Our true father is the one we imitate and obey. The Jews claimed a heavenly father, but Jesus could see who their real father was (v. 41).
Love is a family affair. If these Jews really had God as their Father and really loved Him, they would have loved Jesus since He came from God (v 42). Jesus speaks to people, but their fundamental opposition to Him causes them to misunderstand His language (v. 43). Since they wanted to kill Jesus, and since they rejected the truth and embraced the lie, it was clear that they did not belong to God. Their father was Satan, who is the enemy of life and truth and keeps them in bondage (v.44). Satan’s children may be well versed in their traditions, but the have no understanding of the truth of God’s Word.
Since unbelievers love darkness not light, and falsehood not reality, they reject Jesus (v. 45). Many accusations had been made against Jesus. But He is so committed to doing God’s will that it is impossible to show any connection between Jesus and sin (v. 46). Belonging to God is the basis for hearing Him. To hear God is not a matter of being able to discern audible sounds but of obeying the heavenly commands. The Jew’s absolute rejection of the heavenly Word was a clear reflection that they did not belong to God (v. 47).
Application
No matter how much a person claims to know Christ, their rejection of the teaching of His Word it is a clear indication that they do not know Christ. I want to obey Christ in all His teaching.
John 8:39– 47 (NET)
39 They answered him, āAbraham is our father!ā Jesus replied, āIf you are Abrahamās children, you would be doing the deeds of Abraham. 40 But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth I heard from God. Abraham did not do this! 41 You people are doing the deeds of your father.ā
42 Jesus replied, āIf God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come from God and am now here. I have not come on my own initiative, but he sent me. 43 Why donāt you understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot accept my teaching. 44 You people are from your father the devil, and you want to do what your father desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I am telling you the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Who among you can prove me guilty of any sin? If I am telling you the truth, why donāt you believe me? 47 The one who belongs to God listens and responds to Godās words. You donāt listen and respond, because you donāt belong to God.ā
Illustration: Young Preacher Faced His First Trial Sermon
A young preacher-to-be, having passed his doctrinal examinations, faced his trial sermon. In a large auditorium sat three ministers and 75 others who came to listen. When he stepped into the pulpit, the vast room and the searching, critical eyes caused him to falter. Two weeks later his name appeared among the l05 rejected for the ministry that year. Later that day he wired his father the one word, ‘Rejected,’ and sat down to write in his diary: ‘Everything seems dark but He knows best.’ Quickly came the reply: ‘Rejected on earth. Accepted in heaven.’ Dad. (Source Unknown)