Demonizing the Son of God
October 20, 2013 Speaker: Ken Ramey
Topic: Diety of Christ Passage: John 8:48–59
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John 8:48-59
In this passage, Jesus responded to the Pharisees' childish counterattack by reaffirming that if anyone followed and obeyed Him they would have eternal life because He was God's Son, which He verified in the following three ways:
1. HE PROMISED LIFE AFTER DEATH (vv. 48-51)
The Pharisees could not refute the charges that Jesus leveled against them, so they resorted to calling Him blasphemous names and accusing Him of demon possession. Jesus responded to the false accusations by telling them that He was not demon possessed, by divinely possessed. Jesus's will was to honor the God the Father by doing His will (John 8:29), and by doing the Father's will, the Father bestowed glory and honor to the Son (Ephesians. 1:20, Philippians 2:9). Further, Jesus promised that if anyone keeps His Word (i.e., does His will), then they will never see <spiritual> death (i.e. die in their sins and spend eternity in Hell) (John 3:16, 5:24, 6:40). Jesus was implying that to believe is to obey and that obedience is born out of
The Pharisees could not refute the charges that Jesus leveled against them, so they resorted to calling Him blasphemous names and accusing Him of demon possession. Jesus responded to the false accusations by telling them that He was not demon possessed, by divinely possessed. Jesus's will was to honor the God the Father by doing His will (John 8:29), and by doing the Father's will, the Father bestowed glory and honor to the Son (Ephesians. 1:20, Philippians 2:9). Further, Jesus promised that if anyone keeps His Word (i.e., does His will), then they will never see <spiritual> death (i.e. die in their sins and spend eternity in Hell) (John 3:16, 5:24, 6:40). Jesus was implying that to believe is to obey and that obedience is born out of
2. HE PERFORMED HIS FATHER'S WILL (vv. 52-56)
In the Pharisees' minds, Jesus' claim to be the fulfillment of the promise God made to Abraham was impossible. Jesus explained to them that He could not glorify Himself, but it was God the Father that glorified Him. The Pharisees claimed to know and honor God, but they did not honor His Son. So, it was the Pharisees who were actually blaspheming God. Jesus indeed acknowledged that even though Abraham wasn't alive to witness the fulfillment of the promise (Hebrews 11:13), he believed God's promise that the Messiah would come through his descendants (Genesis 12).
In the Pharisees' minds, Jesus' claim to be the fulfillment of the promise God made to Abraham was impossible. Jesus explained to them that He could not glorify Himself, but it was God the Father that glorified Him. The Pharisees claimed to know and honor God, but they did not honor His Son. So, it was the Pharisees who were actually blaspheming God. Jesus indeed acknowledged that even though Abraham wasn't alive to witness the fulfillment of the promise (Hebrews 11:13), he believed God's promise that the Messiah would come through his descendants (Genesis 12).
3. HE PREEXISTED WITH GOD IN HEAVEN (vv. 57-59)
Jesus declared that before Abraham was born, "I AM." This expression was the original name that God gave to Moses to declare His eternal nature so that His character would be known to Pharaoh. Jesus was declaring to the Pharisees that He was the promised Messiah - the very Son of God. Ironically, by demonizing Jesus, the Jews were accusing God Himself of Blaspheming God!
Jesus declared that before Abraham was born, "I AM." This expression was the original name that God gave to Moses to declare His eternal nature so that His character would be known to Pharaoh. Jesus was declaring to the Pharisees that He was the promised Messiah - the very Son of God. Ironically, by demonizing Jesus, the Jews were accusing God Himself of Blaspheming God!
Thank God for providing you the ability to understand and believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died to save you from sin. Ask God to demonstrate the same grace to unbelievers you know who are still clutching stones and pray that they would cling to Christ instead as their Savior and Lord.