In our Holy Gospel for today from John chapter 8, we see a confrontation between Jesus and His enemies. Within this debate, there are seven questions—three of them from Jesus and four from the Pharisees. This morning we will answer these seven questions.
Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees. He said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but He sent me” (v 42). In other words, if they truly believed in the one true God, they would love Jesus for He is God in human flesh. God the Father sent Jesus as the promised Savior. The Father is the Sender, and Jesus is the Sent One. To acknowledge the Son is to acknowledge the Father.
Here is the first question. Jesus asked the Pharisees, “Why do you not understand what I say?” (v 43).
How would you answer this question? Why do the Pharisees not believe that Jesus came from God the Father? Why do they not believe that Jesus is God in human flesh?
Jesus gives the answer. He said to them, “You do not understand what I say because you cannot bear to hear my word” (v 43). In other words, they cannot bear the truth. They have no faith. Their hearts are hardened, and in their anger they even seek to kill Him. Jesus goes so far as to say that they are doing the will of the devil.
Dearly beloved, you have been given faith to believe that God the Father sent His only-begotten Son to be your Savior. You believe that Jesus died for you and rose from the dead. You reflect the light of Christ in your words and actions. Yet beware of the devil. He speaks lies and he seeks to take your faith in Christ away. Be on your guard. By God’s grace, hold fast to the truth of God’s Word and remain faithful.
The second question also comes from Jesus. He asked the Pharisees, “Which one of you convicts me of sin?” (v 46).
The Pharisees tried to find fault with Jesus, but they could not. They looked for ways to trap Him in sin, but they failed. Later, when Jesus stood trial before the Sanhedrin, Caiaphas the high priest asked Him, “Tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus answered, “I am.” In response, Caiaphas, accused Jesus of blasphemy—claiming that Jesus made Himself out to be God. Yet this charge was false, for Jesus is God in human flesh. Though the Jewish leaders handed Him over to be crucified, even Pilate found no fault in Him.
No one could convict Jesus of sin because He is true God and true man. He is both divine and human. He is the sinless Lamb of God. He never lied. He never spoke falsely. His words are the very words of God.
But what about you? Can anyone convict you of sin? When we break the law of the land, a judge can examine the evidence and rightly declare us guilty. Even more, the Ten Commandments expose our sin. The law acts like a mirror showing us where we have sinned. It accuses us, because we are sinful in what we think, say, and do.
Yet, Jesus has paid for our sin by His precious blood on the cross. He died in our place and on our behalf. We gave Him our sin and He gave us His righteousness. His resurrection is proof that sin has been fully paid for and that there is the forgiveness of sins. In Christ, you are declared not guilty. You are justified by grace through faith in Christ.
The third question also comes from Jesus. He asks the Pharisees, “If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?” (v 46).
The answer is clear. They do not believe in Jesus because they do not receive the Word of God. They refuse to accept His Word as truth. They are not of God.
Dearly beloved, you are of God. You are baptized children of God. Your ears are open to hear God’s Word and you believe it even though you cannot fully explain it. You hear God’s Word and keep it. You confess with your mouth that Jesus is your one and only Savior.
The fourth question is asked by the Pharisees. They asked Jesus, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” (v 48).
No, they are not right. They are wrong. Jesus is not a Samaritan—half Jew and half Gentile; nor is He demon possessed. He is the Son of God in human flesh. He has come to defeat the devil through the cross and open tomb.
The Pharisees tried to insult Jesus by calling him a Samaritan. They also tried to discredit His authority by claiming that He is demon-possessed. This shows us that Jesus was a threat to their traditions and power. This also explains why they sought to kill Him.
Dearly beloved, do not insult people or tell lies about them. Do not gossip in order to make yourself look good. Instead, love your enemies and pray for them. Speak well of people and put the best construction on everything. Let others see Christ in you.
The fifth question is also asked by the Pharisees. But first of all, Jesus said that whoever keeps His word will never see death (v 51). Jesus meant that they would not see eternal death. They would die a physical death but not everlasting damnation. So, the Pharisees asked Jesus, “Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died?” (v 53)?
Yes, Jesus is greater than Abraham. Jesus is the eternal Son of God made flesh. He existed before Abraham. Abraham believed God’s promise and was saved by faith in the coming Savior. Though he died physically, he lives with our Lord in heaven.
Dearly beloved, keep God’s Word. Guard it from false doctrine. Hold on to it as your source of truth. Hear it read and listen to it being preached. God’s Word is a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path. It leads you to Jesus, your one and only Savior.
Though you will one day die a physical death, you will not face eternal death. You will walk through the valley of the shadow of death. But you will receive eternal life, because Jesus opened heaven for you and for all who believe. You will see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. You will see Moses and David. You will see all those who have gone ahead of you in the faith. Press on toward the goal of heaven.
The sixth question is asked by the Pharisees. They asked Jesus, “Who do you make yourself out to be?” (v 53). They asked this question because they do not believe that Jesus is superior over Abraham and the prophets, all of whom died. They were also challenging Jesus’ identity as God.
Who is Jesus? He is the eternal Son of God, the second Person of the Trinity. The Old Testament foretold His coming as the promised Savior. In the fullness of time, He became flesh. He was born of the virgin Mary. He is both God and man; human and divine. He fulfilled the law in our place, suffered and die for our sin. He was the perfect sacrifice for our sin and the sin of the whole world. Three days later, He rose from the dead. He defeated our enemies of death and the devil. Salvation is found in Jesus alone. Jesus is the only way to heaven. His Word is true, and He is our only source of life on earth and eternal life in heaven.
Dearly beloved, believe in your heart and confess with your lips that Jesus is your Savior. Do not be ashamed of the Gospel. It is power of God for salvation. It saved you from death and the devil. It is your source of forgiveness, life, and salvation. By God’s grace, remain in the faith.
The final question is also asked by the Pharisees. But first of all, Jesus said to them, “Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad” (v 56). How did Abraham see Jesus? He saw Jesus with the eyes of faith. He believed in the promise of a coming Savior. We call Abraham our father because we share the same faith in Christ.
This upset the Pharisees, so they asked Jesus, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” (v 57). They asked this question sarcastically challenging Jesus’ claim that He physically saw Abraham. The Pharisees believed that Jesus was simply a young man—under 50 years old. Therefore, they concluded that it was impossible for Jesus to have met or known Abraham, who died roughly 2,000 years ago. The Pharisees just don’t get it. They reject God’s Word. They are of the devil. They refused to hear and believe in the truth of God’s Word.
Jesus responded saying, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM” (v 58). Here Jesus declares that He is the eternal God. The phrase “I AM” identifies Jesus as the God who said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM” (Ex 3:14). Jesus just declared his pre-existence and divine nature before Abraham existed.
The Pharisees understood His claim and accused Him of blasphemy—claiming to be God. So, they picked up stones to kill him. But Jesus performed a miracle. He hid himself and went out of the temple. Jesus did not want to die that day by means of stoning. Rather, He wanted to die later a death by crucifixion on the cross.
There was opposition to Jesus back then, and there is opposition to Jesus today. There was unbelief then, and, there is unbelief today. Unbelief says no thank you to the Gospel. It rejects God’s Word, and resists the Holy Spirit. We pray that the Holy Spirit may bring people from unbelief to faith in Jesus by means of the Gospel.
Who is Jesus? Many today see Jesus only as an example to follow, a moral teacher and that His death was of no importance. They view Jesus merely as a coach, a lover, or a therapist. They don’t want a Jesus who is offensive to the world. They don’t want a Jesus who died upon the cross.
And who are you? You are a poor miserable sinner, yet you are a baptized child of God, redeemed by the blood of Christ. You are clothed with the robe of Christ’s righteousness. In Christ, your sins are forgiven. You see Jesus with the eyes of faith. You touch and taste His gifts here at the altar. This Gospel fills you joy.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
