John 8:41-51 CSB
You're doing what your father does." "We weren't born of sexual immorality," they said. "We have one Father-God." [42] Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, because I came from God and I am here. For I didn't come on my own, but he sent me. [43] Why don't you understand what I say? Because you cannot listen to my word. [44] You are of your father the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies. [45] Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. [46] Who among you can convict me of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me? [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." [48] The Jews responded to him, "Aren't we right in saying that you're a Samaritan and have a demon?" [49] "I do not have a demon," Jesus answered. "On the contrary, I honor my Father and you dishonor me. [50] I do not seek my own glory; there is one who seeks it and judges. [51] Truly I tell you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death."
In Him is no Wrong
There is a childish way to respond to someone who doesn’t hold your point of view. It usually happens when someone leads you to see an imperfection in your own life, or when you simply can’t find anything wrong with them—which is often enough to make them an enemy. Children say hurtful things when they don’t get their way. We’ve all heard the classics: “You stink!”, “Four-eyes!”, or the ultimate playground challenge, “My dad can beat up your dad!”
It is a way to try and win an argument without actually having anything worth saying. You see it when a kid realizes they are losing, so they just plug their ears and yell, “I’m not listening!” It’s a defense mechanism to keep from having to admit they might be wrong.
We see this in politics today. Instead of running on the merits of an idea, it is easier for a politician to go for the throat. They find a sentence from the past to twist out of context, or they attack a characteristic of the person or even their family members. It is a sad condition of the world, but it isn’t new.
Jesus warns the crowd that they are not of God, even though they are Jewish and have the very words of God in their hands.
We really only have two choices in this life: follow God or follow the enemy. The problem is that many religious people think they are following God when they are actually doing the desires of the “father of lies.” Jesus was plain about this in Matthew 7:21-23, warning that many would claim to do miracles in His name, only for Him to say, “I never knew you. Depart from me!” Even those of us who claim to be Christians need to check our motives and make sure we have truly accepted Jesus as Lord, not just as a religious hobby.
Jesus pulled no punches. He wanted the crowd to see clearly that Satan was a murderer from the beginning. We see this with Cain and Abel in 1 John 3:12, and we saw it in the Garden of Eden when the enemy twisted the Father’s words to destroy humanity. Jesus challenged them: “What sin can you find in me?” He spoke the truth, but they couldn’t hear it because they weren’t “from God.”
How did the crowd respond? Exactly like a child on a playground. Because they could find no wrong in Him, they started the name-calling. “You’re a Samaritan” (a massive insult to a Jew) and “You have a demon.” They tried to flip the script—claiming it wasn’t them who were of Satan, but Jesus Himself.
Jesus didn’t bite. He simply reminded them that everything He does points to and honors the Father and the Father honors the Son He stayed focused on the mission: to save mankind. There is one who seeks the glory of the Son however, and this is the Father. Jesus finishes this heated discussion with the core of the Gospel: “If anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” People can attack His character all they want, but they can’t stop the power of the life He offers.
Reflection Questions
- When someone points out a flaw in your life or your thinking, is your first instinct to look in the mirror or to “go for the throat” and find a flaw in them?
- Jesus warns that not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” is actually following Him. This week, ask the Holy Spirit to show you if any part of your “faith” is actually just religious habit rather than a relationship with the Son.
- Jesus didn’t defend His ego; He defended the truth. When people misunderstand or attack your faith, do you get defensive for your own sake, or do you keep the focus on honoring the Father?
Prayer
Father,
Keep us from the trap of the enemy. It is so easy to fall into the world’s way of attacking others to hide our own shortcomings. Give us the heart of a true listener—someone who can hear Your word and respond with love rather than defense. We thank You for the Son, in whom there is no wrong, and for the promise that if we keep His word, we will never see death. Help us to live for Your glory alone today.
Amen.
