The Gospel of John: John 8.31-47

Read and meditate on John 8.37-40.
Abraham, Shmabraham – they were still slaves to sin, just like a lot of Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Catholics, and anyone else who thinks he can be saved by identity, rather than by the Son of God.

                                         ³⁷You claim to be
from Abraham descended, yet you seek
to kill Me, just because the words I speak
have no place in your soul. ³⁸I speak what I
have with My Father seen, and do not lie;
you do whatever you have seen with your
own father.” ³⁹They replied, “As we before
have said, our father’s name is Abraham.”
But Jesus said, “If you of Abraham
were children, you would do his works. ⁴⁰But you
intend to kill Me, since I told the truth
which I have heard from God. But Abraham
did not do such as this.”

- John 8.37-40

Reflect
1.  What did Jesus identify as the mark of a true descendant of Abraham (v. 39)? Look at Romans 4.13-16 as you contemplate your answer. Complete this prayer: Lord, today help me to do the works of Abraham by…

2.  What is suggested about the power of the Word of Jesus in verse 37 (cf. Heb. 4.12)? Do you experience that power? In what ways? Lord, let the power of Your mighty Word be at work in me today to…

3.  Let’s just remind ourselves that these folks who are quibbling with Jesus here are said to “believe in Him.” They “believe in Him,” but they object to His assessment of their true motives (vv. 37-39). Evidently, it’s possible for someone to say he believes in Jesus, yet to disagree sharply with Jesus’ words. How can that be? Lord, is this the case with me in any way? Am I holding off abiding in Your Word, so that I can continue living by my own? Help me to know, Lord, if…

4.  “Abraham is our father,” these “believers” insisted. What were they saying by this? How was Jesus using the word children in verse 39? Thank You, Lord, for making me a child of our heavenly Father. Today, let me live in such a way as that…

5. Jesus insisted that the father of these “believers” was someone other than Abraham. This was clear because they were not doing the works of Abraham, but were seeking to kill Jesus. Hold on: These people believed in Him! And they were seeking to kill Him? What are the implications of this for such “believers” today? Bring together into one prayer the prayers you wrote for questions 1-4.

Summary
“But the Lord wishes God the Father to be understood when he says, ‘I speak that which I have seen with my Father.’ I have seen the truth; I speak the truth because I am the truth. For if the Lord speaks the truth that he has seen with the Father, he has seen himself—he speaks himself because he himself is the truth of the Father, which he saw with the Father. For he is the Word—the Word that was with God.” Augustine (354-430 AD)

Jesus connected faith professed with works of faith, undertaken in obedience toward God, and with a view to gaining His promises – like Abraham. Merely professing faith in Jesus is not true faith. What is?

Closing Prayer
I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the LORD;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
I sought the LORD, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried out, and the LORDheard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Psalm 34.1-8

Psalm 34.1-9, 3 (Alleluia [Lowe]: Mighty God, While Angels Bless You)
I will bless the Lord at all times; I shall praise Him evermore!
My soul makes its boast in Jesus – Him we gladly all adore!
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

When I sought the Lord, He answered, and from fear delivered me.
Those who look to Him are radiant; shamed their face shall never be.
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

When I cried to God, He heard me, and from trouble rescued me.
‘Round their camp His angel lingers that they may delivered be.
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

Taste and see how good is Jesus; blessed are all who in Him hide.
None shall lack for any blessing who in Christ will e’er confide.
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

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.