João 8

João 8

Wesley wrote. It’s awe that inspires adoration. My first sight of the Grand Canyon left me speechless. The friend who had driven me there appreciated my reaction and stood silent beside me. I gazed in awe at this magnificent spectacle and thought, This is a glimpse of God’s majesty. But my awe, by itself, was not worship. My reaction is different when I come face to face with Jesus in the Scriptures. Awe changes into adoration as I behold Him in all His beauty. What grips my soul? His unsullied purity: “Which of you convicts Me of sin?” (John 8:46). His unrivaled wisdom: “No man ever spoke like this Man!” (John 7:46). His unbounded pity: “When He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion” (Matt. 9:36). And His overwhelming majesty: “He was transfigured before them” (Matt. 17:2). As I see Jesus in the Gospels, my awe changes to adoration. I bow in worship and exclaim with Thomas: “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). By: Vernon Grounds Behold Him there! The risen Lamb! My perfect, spotless righteousness; The great, unchangeable I AM, The King of glory and of grace. —Bancroft True worship of Christ changes admiration into adoration. One Exception Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears God’s words. —John 8:46-47 Today's Scripture: Isaiah 53:4-12 Are there any perfect people alive today? Not in the opinion of Harvard University psychiatrist Jerome Groopman. In his engrossing book How Doctors Think, he expresses agreement with the profound insights found in the Bible. He writes, “Everyone is flawed at some time, in thought or in deed, from Abraham to Moses to the Apostles.” But what about Jesus Christ? He challenged His listeners regarding Himself: “Which of you convicts Me of sin?” (John 8:46). The disciples’ verdict after they had opportunity to scrutinize His life for at least 3 years was that He was without sin (1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5). Was Jesus a moral miracle, the one sinless Person in the whole procession of sinful humans? Yes, He was the one spotless exception to this observation of the apostle Paul: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). And that word all includes both you and me! Because all humanity has sinned, we can rejoice that Jesus was qualified—He and He alone—to be the flawless Sacrifice we need. We give thanks for Jesus Christ, our sinless sin-bearer—the one exception! By: Vernon Grounds Guilty, vile, and helpless, we; Spotless Lamb of God was He; “Full atonement!” can it be? Hallelujah! What a Savior! —Bliss Only Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, can declare guilty people perfect. Who’s Telling The Truth? Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? — John 8:46 Today's Scripture: John 8:31-47 During the 2012 US presidential campaign, television coverage of speeches and debates often included “fact checking” by analysts who compared the candidates’ statements with their actual records. Were they telling the truth or manipulating the facts to their advantage? The apostle John recorded a debate between Jesus and a group of people who believed He was making false claims about Himself. Jesus told them, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32). They told Him that they had never been in bondage to anyone and asked, “How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” (v.33). As the debate continued, Jesus kept saying that He was telling them the truth (vv.34,40,45-46,51). Some believed Him, but others remained angry at Him and unconvinced. In a sense, that debate goes on today. Those who oppose Jesus seek to discredit His statements and twist them into lies. Jesus says, “I am telling you the truth,” and promises that He will give us a freedom we can find nowhere else. The Bible record of Jesus’ life is worth “fact checking” as we determine who we will follow. All of us have a choice to make. By: David C. McCasland Faith is believing, the promise is true, Trusting in Jesus your strength to renew; Resting so sweetly, secure on His Word, Shielded from danger with Jesus the Lord. —Teasley God’s truth stands any test. James Smith - WHY NOT BELIEVE ME? JOHN 8:46 “If I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?” “I have told you the truth”— 1. About My Character, John 8:12 2. About My Mission, John 8:18 3. About the Awfulness of Sin,John 8:24 4. About the Conditions of Discipleship, John 8:31 5. About Spiritual Freedom, John 8:36 6 About Your Own Condition, John 8:42–44 “Why do you not believe Me?” John 8:47 "He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God." AMP Whoever is of God listens to God. [Those who belong to God hear the words of God.] This is the reason that you do not listen [to those words, to Me]: because you do not belong to God and are not of God or in harmony with Him. LBP Anyone whose Father is God listens gladly to the words of God. Since you don’t, it proves you aren’t his children.” WNT He who is a child of God listens to God’s words. You do not listen to them: and why? It is because you are not God’s children.” BGT John 8:47 ὁ ὢν ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ τὰ ῥήματα τοῦ θεοῦ ἀκούει· διὰ τοῦτο ὑμεῖς οὐκ ἀκούετε, ὅτι ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ οὐκ ἐστέ. KJV John 8:47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. NET John 8:47 The one who belongs to God listens and responds to God's words. You don't listen and respond, because you don't belong to God." CSB John 8:47 The one who is from God listens to God's words. This is why you don't listen, because you are not from God." ESV John 8:47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God." NIV John 8:47 He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God." NLT John 8:47 Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don't listen because you don't belong to God." NRS John 8:47 Whoever is from God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear them is that you are not from God." NJB John 8:47 Whoever comes from God listens to the words of God; the reason why you do not listen is that you are not from God. NAB John 8:47 Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not listen, because you do not belong to God." YLT John 8:47 he who is of God, the sayings of God he doth hear; because of this ye do not hear, because of God ye are not.' GWN John 8:47 The person who belongs to God understands what God says. You don't understand because you don't belong to God." BBE John 8:47 He who is a child of God gives ear to the words of God: your ears are not open to them because you are not from God. RSV John 8:47 He who is of God hears the words of God; the reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God." NKJ John 8:47 "He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God." ASV John 8:47 He that is of God heareth the words of God: for this cause ye hear them not, because ye are not of God. MIT John 8:47 One who is from God is attentive to the words of God. The reason you do not listen is this: you are not from God." DBY John 8:47 He that is of God hears the words of God: therefore ye hear them not, because ye are not of God. NIRV John 8:47 "Everyone who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you don't hear is that you don't belong to God." Jn 8:37,43,45 1:12,13 6:45,46,65 10:26,27 17:6-8 1Jn 3:10 4:1-6 5:1 2Jn 1:9 3Jn 1:11 John 8 - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE HEARING TEST TO DISCERN WHO IS A CHILD OF GOD He who is of God (present tense - continually) hears (akouo) the words (rhema) of God - Hears does not mean just hearing the words audibly, for the Pharisees did that. Rather, hears means to hear so as to obey (cf Jn 8:39 = "do the deeds of Abraham"). In Jn 8:43 Jesus had just declared " you cannot hear My word." Believers hear and respond to the Word of God. NET = "The one who belongs to God listens and responds to God's words." Jesus' audience does not belong to God's family, and so they cannot hear Jesus' words. Children of God hear His words and respond positively to what they hear as of God. And they do not just hear His Word but they heed or obey what they hear. In Jn 8:43 Jesus made it clear these Jews could not understand His Word, because they could not hear with spiritual ears. Here we see that their inability to hear the words of God proved they were not of God. Jesus drives this point home in the following clause. Jesus words here are similar to those in John 10 “But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. 27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29“My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30“I and the Father are one.” (Jn 10:26-30) For this reason (dia touto) - This phrase conveys the sense of "therefore" or "because of this." While it often refers to what precedes, in this context it is more logical to see it refer to what follows. Thus the NET renders it "You don't listen and respond, because you don't belong to God." CSB has "This is why you don't listen, because you are not from God." ESV has "The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God." In other words the reason they don't listen to and respond to (heed, obey) God's word is because they do not belong to God. They are not His children. They have never been “in” a right relationship with God. Their entire religious life is not connected to God You do not hear (akouo) them, because you (present tense - continually) are (absolutely) not of God - Just in case they missed the meaning of what Jesus had just said in the preceding clause, He explains why they cannot hear the words of God. The reason is because they are not of God (the are of the devil). In other words, they were not born of God. To say it another way, they cannot understand God's words because they are spiritual words and they did not have the Holy Spirit to give them understanding (cf 1Cor 2:14+, cf 2Co 4:4). Not of God is a clear declaration from Jesus that these professed believers were not genuine believers. This would have added even more fuel to the anger they were already feeling toward Jesus! ESV Study Bible (borrow) You do not hear in the sense of hearing, believing, and following. Reformation Study Bible - Sin paralyzes our spiritual senses. Only an act of God's grace enables a sinner to hear His voice (cf. Jn 8:43; 10:3, 4, 16, 27). Words (4487) rhema from verb rheo = to speak - to say, speak or utter definite words) refers to the spoken word, especially a word as uttered by a living voice. Laleo is another word translated speak but it refers only to uttering a sound whereas rheo refers to uttering a definite intelligible word. Rhema refers to any sound produced by the voice which has a definite meaning. It focuses upon the content of the communication. For example in Luke we read "And they understood none of these things, and this saying (rhema) was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend the things that were said." (Luke 18:34) The significance of rhema (as distinct from logos) is exemplified in the injunction to take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, Eph 6:17+ "And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word (rhema) of God. In Ephesians 6:17 the reference is not to the whole Bible as such, but to the individual scripture which the Spirit brings to our remembrance for use in time of need, a prerequisite being the regular storing of the mind with Scripture. Rhema in John -Jn. 3:34; Jn. 5:47; Jn. 6:63; Jn. 6:68; Jn. 8:20; Jn. 8:47; Jn. 10:21; Jn. 12:47; Jn. 12:48; Jn. 14:10; Jn. 15:7; Jn. 17:8; John 8:48 The Jews answered and said to Him, "Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?" BGT John 8:48 Ἀπεκρίθησαν οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι καὶ εἶπαν αὐτῷ· οὐ καλῶς λέγομεν ἡμεῖς ὅτι Σαμαρίτης εἶ σὺ καὶ δαιμόνιον ἔχεις; KJV John 8:48 Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? NET John 8:48 The Judeans replied, "Aren't we correct in saying that you are a Samaritan and are possessed by a demon?" CSB John 8:48 The Jews responded to Him, "Aren't we right in saying that You're a Samaritan and have a demon?" ESV John 8:48 The Jews answered him, "Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?" NIV John 8:48 The Jews answered him, "Aren't we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?" NLT John 8:48 The people retorted, "You Samaritan devil! Didn't we say all along that you were possessed by a demon?" NRS John 8:48 The Jews answered him, "Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?" NJB John 8:48 The Jews replied, 'Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and possessed by a devil?' Jesus answered: NAB John 8:48 The Jews answered and said to him, "Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and are possessed?" YLT John 8:48 The Jews, therefore, answered and said to him, 'Do we not say well, that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a demon?' GWN John 8:48 The Jews replied to Jesus, "Aren't we right when we say that you're a Samaritan and that you're possessed by a demon?" BBE John 8:48 The Jews said to him in answer, Are we not right in saying that you are of Samaria and have an evil spirit? RSV John 8:48 The Jews answered him, "Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?" NKJ John 8:48 Then the Jews answered and said to Him, "Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?" ASV John 8:48 The Jews answered and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a demon? MIT John 8:48 The Jews answered him, "Oh, did we not speak correctly when we said you are a Samaritan and have gone out of your mind!" DBY John 8:48 The Jews answered and said to him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan and hast a demon? NIRV John 8:48 The Jews answered Jesus, "Aren't we right when we say you are a Samaritan? Aren't you controlled by a demon?" Say: Jn 8:52 13:13 Mt 15:7 Jas 2:19 You: Jn 4:9 Jn 7:20 Jn 10:20 Isa 49:7 53:3 Mt 10:25 12:24,31 Ro 15:3 Heb 13:13 John 8 - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: John 7:20 The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who seeks to kill You?” John 10:20 Many of them were saying, “He has a demon and is insane. Why do you listen to Him?” THE JEWS GO ON THE ATTACK! The Jews answered and said to Him, "Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon (daimonion) - NAB translates the whole accusation “you are a Samaritan, and possessed besides.” One is surprised these self-righteous, prideful men stayed silent so long, especially after Jesus declared the devil was their father. But now they are angered by Jesus' accusations and go on the attack with character assassination! To call Jesus a Samaritan was to put Him in the category of the people group which the Jews utterly detested and held in great contempt. They harbor the same feelings toward Jesus! Then note the irony! These children of the devil (Jn 8:44) have the gall to accuse Jesus of having a demon! By calling Jesus a Samaritan they could have meant either one who does not belong to the Jewish people or perhaps they may have intended a slur about His birth. The MacArthur Study Bible (borrow) - The Jews could martial no convincing evidence that could convict Him of sin in the heavenly court. Since the Jews could not attack Jesus' personal life and conduct (Jn 8:46), they tried an ad hominem attack of personal abuse toward Him. Reformation Study Bible - When cornered by the truth, Jesus' enemies turn to blasphemy (Matt. 12:24, 31). Related Resource: What is a Samaritan? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about demon possession / demonic possession? | GotQuestions.org Can a Christian be demon possessed? Can a Christian be demonized? | GotQuestions.org UBS Handbook - The question raised by Jesus’ antagonists indicated that they assume the answer is “Yes.” It is a rhetorical question and in some languages may be made a strong declarative statement, for example, “We were certainly right when we said that you are a Samaritan and have a demon in you.” David Thompson - No matter what you say to us, we believe we are right and you are wrong. Learn a very important lesson here - you may believe you are right in your theological grasp of something and you can be dead wrong. Until any person comes to terms with the fact that Jesus Christ is the only God/Savior, they are dead wrong, no matter how religious they may appear to be. What is so interesting is that the Samaritans clearly identified Christ as being a pure Jew (Jn 4:9, 22, 25), and many of them believed (Jn 4:41-42). The Jews considered the Samaritans to be beneath them. This verbal charge is a contemptible expression because the Samaritans were a mixed people, not pure blood Jews and the Jews viewed them as religious heretics.....When you present the truth about the Grace of God to a religious world proud of their works, many will oppose you and try to discredit you. John Calvin was called a “devil.” Martin Luther was called a “heretic.” You and I can expect the same kind of thing if we accurately proclaim truth. You may be called “harsh”, “dogmatic”, “power-crazed”, “dictatorial”, “egotistical”, “negative.” It all comes from the same source, the Evil One. Steven