[:en]SCRIPTURE: JOHN 8
Bible Verses:
“ When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:7)
““I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)
“Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” (John 87:34)
“ Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” (John 8:47)
“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58)
Jesus went to the Mount of Olives and appeared in the temple courts at dawn. Many people went there to hear him teach. The Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery and asked Jesus what to do with this woman as Moses law was to stone her to death. Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground with his finger: “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her” (v. 7). Then one by one, they went away leaving Jesus and the woman only. Jesus did not condemn her but told her to leave her life of sin.
THE VALIDITY OF JESUS’ TESTIMONY (vs. 12-30)
Jesus said: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follow me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (v. 12) The Pharisees challenged his testimonies but Jesus affirmed his testimonies as follows:
- I know where I come from and where I am going (v. 14)
- I pass judgment on no one (v. 15)
- If I judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. (v. 18)
- I am going away and you will look for me and you will die in you sin. Where I go, you cannot come. (v. 21)
- You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world. (v. 23)
- You would die in your sins if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be. (v. 24)
- I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me (v. 28)
- I always do what please the one who sent me as he is with me and has not left me alone. (v. 29)
THE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM (vs. 31-42)
The Jews who believed in Jesus knew the truth and had been set free. But the descendants of Abraham questioned Jesus about the freedom he was talking since they had never been slaves. But what Jesus was talking about was: Everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Since they wanted to kill Jesus, they were slaves to sin.
THE CHILDREN OF THE DEVIL (vs. 42-47)
Since they did not hear what God says, they did not believe in Jesus. They did what they have heard from their father. They carried out the devil’s plan to commit murder.
THE CLAIMS OF JESUS ABOUT HIMSELF (vs. 48-59)
- I am not possessed by a devil (49a)
- I honor my Father (v. 49b)
- I am not seeking glory for myself (v. 50)
- My Father is the one who glorifies me (v. 54)
- I know my Father and keep his word (v. 55)
- Before Abraham was born, I am. (v. 58)
THOUGHTS:
- Jesus forgave the woman accused of adultery but he told her to leave her life of sin. Our sins can be forgiven, but confession and repentance are needed.
- Jesus is the Light of the world because he brings God’s presence, protection and guidance. We need his light to keep us from darkness.
- When Jesus said the truth shall set you free, he was talking about spiritual freedom. Receiving the truth in Christ sets us free from bondage of sin, from self deception and from deception of Satan. He gives us the freedom to follow Him.
- Jesus proclaimed his divinity when he said he existed before Abraham. He applied God’s holy name of “I AM” to himself. Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God?
- Those who put their faith in Christ become the children of God. Those who rejected Christ become children of devil who are liars, murderers, immoral and self-righteous.
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