The Gospel of John: John 8.12-30

Read and meditate on John 8.25-30.
The Jews keep trying to get Jesus to make His claims explicitly. He will not be trapped by their questions; at the same time, He will not deny that He is Who He claims to be.

²⁵They said to Him, “Who do You claim to be?”
He answered, “Just what I have said to you
from the beginning. ²⁶I have much more to
proclaim to you, and judge concerning you,
for He Who sent Me thus to you is true,
and I speak to the world what I have heard
from Him.” ²⁷They did not understand this word
was all about the Father. ²⁸Jesus then 
explained, “When you lift up the Son of Man,
then you will know that I am He; I do
of Myself nothing; what the Father to
Me shows, I speak these things. ²⁹And He Who sent
Me is with Me; the Father has not left
Me on my own, for that which pleases Him,
I do.” ³⁰So many then believed in Him.
           
- John 8.25-30

Reflect
1.  Remember: We’re at the Feast of Tabernacles, or just shortly after its conclusion. People are in Jerusalem from all over. Jesus is in the temple treasury, and His detractors want nothing more than to lay hands on Him and be done with Him. So they keep baiting Him, trying to get Him to make the claim that would justify their clapping Him in irons. Look at Jesus’ response to their question in verse 25. From what we have heard from Jesus at this feast (chapters 7 and 8), Who has He claimed to be?  Complete the following brief prayer: Lord, You have called me to explain You to others. I need to know You better, especially as…

2.  Meditate on Jesus’ comment in verse 26, especially the last part. Since we have been sent to the world as Jesus was sent (Jn. 20.21), what does this imply for our daily life in the world? If I am to be effective as Your witness, Lord, I need to hear…

3.  Either the Pharisees are having a hard time making sense of Jesus’ claims, or they’re trying to trap Him by their constant badgering and questioning – or possibly, some of both. John explains (v. 27) that they didn’t understand Jesus was talking about the Father as the One Who sent Him, and Whose Word He spoke (v. 26). But this seems clear to us, doesn’t it? How could they not understand what He was saying? What does this suggest about the power of sin? Give me grace and patience, Lord, as I bear witness of You to others, because I know…

4.  Clearly, Jesus knows where all this is headed (v. 28). That will only happen when He’s ready for it. What will happen once He has been “lifted up”? Will everyone know? Summarize the nature of Jesus’ relationship with the Father during His earthly sojourn, as He outlines it here (vv. 28, 29). In what ways do you experience this? Lord, let Your Spirit be at work in me, to make me willing and able to…

5.  How do you understand verse 30? Glance ahead to verses 31-33. How would you describe the nature of this believing in Jesus? Is this mature and trusting faith? Or something else? Explain. Is it possible for someone to believe in Jesus, and yet not really believe in Him? Explain. Bring together your prayers from questions 1-4 into one prayer.

Summary
“When he brought his speech down to a more human level, many believed in him. Do you still ask why he spoke so humbly? And yet, the Evangelist clearly alludes to the reason [here], all but proclaiming aloud: Do not be disturbed at hearing so humble a speech from Christ, for those who had heard the greatest doctrines from him and were still not persuaded that he was from the Father were persuaded by these more humble words so that they might believe. This explains why he spoke these things in such a humble way. These then believed on him, yet not as they ought but only because they were pleased with the refreshing humility of his words. The Evangelist, in fact, shows their imperfect faith in his subsequent narration, which relates their unjust proceedings against him” John Chrysostom (344-407 AD)

Clearly, “imperfect faith” is not where we want to be. How can believers help one another to grow into a more mature experience of believing in Jesus?

Closing Prayer
The LORD reigns;
Let the earth rejoice;
Let the multitude of isles be glad!
Clouds and darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
A fire goes before Him,
And burns up His enemies round about.
His lightnings light the world;
The earth sees and trembles.
The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord,
At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
The heavens declare His righteousness,
And all the peoples see His glory.
Let all be put to shame who serve carved images,
Who boast of idols.
Worship Him, all you gods.
Zion hears and is glad,
And the daughters of Judah rejoice
Because of Your judgments, O LORD.
For You, LORD, are most high above all the earth;
You are exalted far above all gods.

Psalm 97.1-9

Psalm 97.1, 6, 9 (Darwall: Rejoice, the Lord is King!)
Rejoice, the Lord is King! O earth, lift up your voice;
Be glad, you islands, shout and sing: Rejoice! Rejoice!
    Beyond, above all gods and nations be exalted, God of love!

The heav’ns above declare His glorious righteousness;
And tribes and peoples everywhere His Name confess.
    Beyond, above all gods and nations be exalted, God of love!
T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.