seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
John 8:48 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 Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.”
52 At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word 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?”
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 obey 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,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”
58 “Very truly I tell you,” 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."
3012025301202530120253012025
Here's the link to thecommentary I read.
Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon? The enemies of Jesus were frustrated and exasperated. They were unable to make Jesus look bad, and even more had believed on Him (John 8:30). So they launched their last attack: name-calling.
- You are a Samaritan (one of the most despised races to the Jews).
- And have a demon (saying that Jesus was demon possessed).
I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father: Jesus’ desire to honor God and His personal humility disproved any charge of demonic possession. Since those who have Satan as their spiritual parent will have some of the characteristics of Satan, they will have an evident pride and self-seeking — things that were and are absent in Jesus.
If anyone keeps My word he shall never see death: This is another remarkable claim that only makes sense if Jesus is God, and is one with God the Father. Jesus promises eternal life to those who keep His word.
Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead: The great claim of Jesus delighted the religious leaders; they believed they finally caught Him in a clearly blasphemous claim. They denied the claim Jesus made to grant eternal life.
We note that the religious leaders slightly twisted the words of Jesus. He said that the one who keeps His word would never stare death face to face; they claimed He said that this one would never taste death. The believer will indeed taste death, but is not terrorized by this defeated foe.
Are you greater than our father Abraham: They put the question plainly to Jesus. Hoping Jesus would be further caught in a trap, they asked “Whom do You make Yourself out to be?”
Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him: The religious leaders claimed that the Father in heaven was their God, but it was not a true claim. In truth, they did not know God, but Jesus did.
I do know Him and keep His word: Jesus could not lie and deny His true knowledge of God the Father, demonstrated by a life of obedience to God’s word.
Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad: Jesus made another remarkable claim, answering their questions in John 8:53. Jesus claimed that not only was He greater than Abraham, but Abraham himself also acknowledged this.
You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham? The remarkable statement that Abraham saw and acknowledged the greatness of Jesus was more than they could understand. They asked, “How could you know Abraham rejoiced in You? Were You there?”
Before Abraham was, I AM: With this dramatic phrase Jesus told them that He was the eternal God, existing not only during the time of Abraham but before unto eternity past. Jesus claimed to be the great I AM, the voice of the covenant God of Israel revealed at the burning bush (Exodus 3:13-14).
3012025301202530120253012025
The Pharisees and the Sadducees were in charge of the Temple and the Worship of God. They claimed to be the only ones who knew the mind of God.
If the Pharisees or the Sadducees said that you were a whore who should be stoned to death, on their word, they would be stoned to death. They controlled the message. They told the witnesses what they needed to hear. The witnesses were intimidated by their power.
If the Pharisees or the Sadducees said that you were a Samaritan, they were tagging you as a demon, someone who would spit in the face of an Israelite. No one would do business if you were a demon or a Samaritan. Remember, Jesus had been to the well by the time this standoff happened. He didn't make the trip around Samaria to avoid the people, He went right to Jacob's well and had a conversation with a Samaritan woman who had come to the well alone, in the middle of the day.... a whore.
If they claimed you were sick... No one would come near you. If the Pharisees and the Sadducees claimed you were a liar and a cheat.... No one would do business with you. If the Pharisees and the Sadducees said you were a Bastard who should be hung on the cross... it would come about. They were connected to everything that went on in Jerusalem.
People couldn't poop on the Sabbath!!!! Well, they could poop, but they couldn't clean themselves up if the poop got out of control. The Pharisees would charge them for working on the Sabbath and they would be shunned.
Then on top of that, Jesus claimed in front of large crowds, that He is the Son of God, the Messiah.
The Pharisees and the Sadducees could not believe Jesus. God didn't send them a telegram or a messenger to tell them to plan the coronation. God didn't make the sun walk back eight steps to announce the Birth of the Messiah. God didn't come to earth and marry Mary in a huge gaudy ceremony. God didn't make Mary His Bride in front of everyone on earth and Declare Jesus as His Son. God didn't cover the Temple with His Cloud and shine down on Mary and Jesus as the saviors of the world, so it just didn't happen.
Jesus wasn't afraid to die. He was looking forward to it. He wanted to go home. Jesus was there to conquer death so that everyone would know that God controls life and death.
Jesus wasn't afraid of the Pharisees or the Sadducees. What could they do to Him? If they killed Him, He would just go home... to Heaven.
The Worship Leaders hated Jesus!
Last edited: