Living Life

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2010.Feb.

09 Tue

Dazed and Confused

[ John 8:48 - 8:59 ]

Less than God
48. The Jews answered him, "Aren't we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?"
49. "I am not possessed by a demon," said Jesus, "but I honor my Father and you dishonor me.
50. I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge.
51. I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death."
52. At this the Jews exclaimed, "Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that if anyone keeps your word, he will never taste death.
53. Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?"

A Problem of Identity
54. Jesus replied, "If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.
55. Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and keep his word.
56. Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad."
57. "You are not yet fifty years old," the Jews said to him, "and you have seen Abraham!"
58. "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"
59. At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.

Reflection

Less than God (8:48-53)
There’s a qualitative difference between passively disobeying the law and actively breaking the law. It’s the difference between negligence and intent, and in today’s passage, the Jewish leaders take their accusations to a whole new level. In the previous passages, they refused to believe Jesus’ claims that He was God. But now, their outrage has so increased that they not only accuse Jesus of lying but also of being possessed by a demon. He’s not just “not-God” but a spawn of the devil. This is a serious accusation—they have raised the stakes, and ultimately their own punishment, by saying that Jesus is demon-possessed. They blaspheme His very essence and seeing that they have gone this far, Jesus leaves them to their own devices. We must be careful not to let our pride get the better of us. Let’s humble ourselves so we can accept the salvation of Christ.

A Problem of Identity (8:54-59)
Paul writes in Philippians chapter 2 that God will exalt His servant to the highest place. God will glorify Jesus when the time comes, just as He is saying in this passage. The Jewish leaders, however, take this to be blasphemy, and according to the Law, they prepare to stone Jesus. They are getting ready to stone the God they claim to serve, the same God who gave them the very Law by which they claim to be righteous. So who’s the real blasphemer? Jesus or the Jews? The hard-heartedness of the Jewish leaders is almost humorous if it didn’t have such dire consequences. But that’s what happens when our sights are so off and all we see is ourselves. We grow bigger in our eyes and all of a sudden everyone—including God and salvation—is second to our own desires and ambitions.

Application

- When we refuse to admit wrong, our mistakes grow bigger and bigger until we have no idea where we went wrong. Stop and repent, before God and those we’ve offended, and let’s get back on track.

- Arrogance is a hard task-master. It hardens our hearts and offends those around us. We lose touch with ourselves and, more significantly, with God. We become angry, selfish, self-righteous people. We are no longer God’s people.

A Letter to
God

Dear God, forgive me of my pride. Make me humble so that I might see You. I long to see You. Break me according to Your good and loving will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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