Gene’s Daily Scriptural Postings

Being a Descendant of God: John 8:31-59

Focus Passage: John 8:31-59 (NIV)

Part way through Jesus’ ministry, as He is visiting Jerusalem for a festival, the gospel of John records a powerful discussion Jesus has with some Jews about Him and His ministry. In this discussion, we find Jesus pushing this crowd, and them missing Jesus’ point on several different points.

While talking about the truth setting people free, the Jews responded that they have never been slaves and that they are Abraham’s children. This statement might speak to their immediate lives, but not to the history of the Jewish nation, where slavery had been present on a number of occasions.

Picking up on this, Jesus tells this crowd a couple verses later: “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.” (v. 37-38)

The crowd responded by saying, “Abraham is our father.” (v. 39a)

Knowing what they were saying, but knowing how untrue they were, Jesus counters their statement by saying, “If you were Abraham’s children, then you would do what Abraham did. As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the works of your own father.” (v. 39b-41a)

Becoming more irritated at Jesus, the crowd protested, “We are not illegitimate children. The only Father we have is God himself.” (v. 41b)

Now that Jesus has their focus exactly where He wants it, He tells them, “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. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 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.” (v. 42-44)

In this challenge, Jesus calls these people out for being unable to hear what He is saying. Jesus attributes this to those present being children of the devil and not children of God the Father like they claimed to be. Jesus also challenges these people in regard to them looking for a way to kill Him. Jesus points out that because they are looking for a way to kill Him, they are more closely aligned with the devil, who is a murderer and a liar.

This conversation draws us to pay attention to an important point: Our actions speak louder than our words, and even though we can claim to follow God like these Jews, if our actions do not reflect God, we might have fallen into the trap these Jews fell into and be children of the devil. Jesus invites us out of sin and into a new life with God, and part of this new life is learning to reflect God accurately in our own lives.

This thought was inspired by studying the Walking With Jesus “Reflective Bible Study” package. To discover insights like this in your own study time, click here and give Reflective Bible Study a try today!

Read this article on the web on it's official page: Being a Descendant of God: John 8:31-59