notes
Main point summary
The Jewish leaders claim to be the children of Abraham and God. Jesus explains why they are not the children of God nor the true spiritual descendants of Abraham. They disbelieve the Messiah against reason and truth. They do the deeds of their spiritual father the devil.
Notes
The passage teaches: People's fundamental core allegiances inevitably direct their long-term actions. For example, the Jewish leader's allegiance was with the devil; hence they desired to kill the Messiah. A person must be of God to believe and obey Jesus Christ. For example, the Jewish leaders were of the devil; hence they did not trust nor follow Jesus Christ. People who reject Jesus Christ defy God. God and Jesus are of the same source. One without the other is a counterfeit. How can God be perfectly righteous and yet love and forgive peoples' offences? The answer is found in Jesus Christ. Meditation: Truth is more than facts that are universally perceived to be valid, such as 2 + 2 = 4. Truth and lies are impersonated in God and the devil. God is truth and whoever deviates from the truth believes a lie from the devil. For example, God created people equally, yet some believe there is a hierarchy based on gender, skin colour, wealth etc. Critical race theory and communist Woke ideologies are fueled with lies. Doctrines like these have laid the ground for revolutions and world wars. Millions have died. German Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was part of the Resistance during Nazi Germany in the 30s and 40s, said, "It is worse for a lier to tell the truth than for a lover of truth to tell a lie." He appeared as a Nazi but was secretly opposing and plotting to assassinate Hitler because he believed in truth and would not stand by as lies destroyed people. The Nazis found out about Bonhoeffer's resistance, and Hitler orders his execution just before the end of the war.
Discourse2
editing
NT
John 8:39-47
nkjv
They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.”
Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children,
you would do the works of Abraham.
conditional
But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this.
concessive
You do the deeds of your father.”
inference
Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.”
Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me,
for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.
ground
Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.
You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do.
He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
ideaexplanation
But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.
Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears God’s words;
comparison
therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.”
progression
discourse