the Third Week after Easter
Click here to join the effort!
Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 4 of 5
John 8:37-59
In John 5:45 the Lord pointed out their inconsistency to the Jews; they were appealing to Moses but his writings were condemning them. Here they lay claim to their position as Abraham’s children. But their works are the devil’s who has been a liar and murderer from the beginning. It is sometimes said – like father, like son (cf. Ezekiel 16:44), and the Lord declares that the nature of our works shows whose children we are (cf. 1 John 3:7-10). There are only two great families on earth – God’s and the devil’s. To which one do you belong? The fact of being children of Christian parents does not confer any rights on anyone before God, as these proud Jews expected because they were Abraham’s descendants. On the contrary, it is an added responsibility.
"Thou hast a devil," repeat these despicable people (vv. 48, 52; cf. John 7:20; John 10:20). And we can admire the patience of the Lord Jesus. Before this flagrant insult, He leaves it to His Father to vindicate His glory. In this, He is once again our Great Example. Our only business is to know God and to keep His word (v. 55).
"I am", says the Lord Jesus in v. 58, not just "I was in existence before Abraham," but "I am eternally" (cf. Exodus 3:14).
