John 8:31-59
Challenge to the Claim to Be Children of Abraham
Jesus spoke to the Jews who had believed him. “If you obey my teaching,” he said, “you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth. And the truth will set you free.”
They answered him, “We are Abraham’s children. We have never been slaves of anyone. So how can you say that we will be set free?”
Jesus replied, “What I’m about to tell you is true. Everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave has no lasting place in the family. But a son belongs to the family forever. So if the Son of Man sets you free, you will really be free. I know that you are Abraham’s children. But you are looking for a way to kill me. You have no room for my word. I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. You are doing what you have heard from your father.”
“Abraham is our father,” they answered.
Jesus said, “Are you really Abraham’s children? If you are, you will do what Abraham did. But you are looking for a way to kill me. I am a man who has told you the truth I heard from God. Abraham didn’t do the things you want to do. You are doing what your own father does.”
“We have the right to claim to be God’s children,” they objected. “The only Father we have is God himself.”
Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me. I have come here from God. I have not come on my own. God sent me. Why aren’t my words clear to you? Because you can’t really hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil. You want to obey your father’s wishes. From the beginning, the devil was a murderer. He has never obeyed the truth. There is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his natural language. He does this because he is a liar. He is the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you don’t believe me! Can any of you prove I am guilty of sinning? Am I not telling the truth? Then why don’t you believe me? Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you don’t hear is that you don’t belong to God.”
Jesus Makes Claims About Himself
The Jews answered Jesus, “Aren’t we right when we say you are a Samaritan? Aren’t you controlled by a demon?”
“I am not controlled by a demon,” said Jesus. “I honor my Father. You do not honor me. I am not seeking glory for myself. But there is one who brings glory to me. He is the judge. What I’m about to tell you is true. Whoever obeys my word will never die.”
Then they cried out, “Now we know you are controlled by a demon! Abraham died. So did the prophets. But you say that whoever obeys your word will never die. Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died. So did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”
Jesus replied, “If I bring glory to myself, my glory means nothing. You claim that my Father is your God. He is the one who brings glory to me. You do not know him. But I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you. But I do know him. And I obey his word. Your father Abraham was filled with joy at the thought of seeing my day. He saw it and was glad.”
“You are not even 50 years old,” they said to Jesus. “And you have seen Abraham?”
“What I’m about to tell you is true,” Jesus answered. “Before Abraham was born, I am!” When he said this, they picked up stones to kill him. But Jesus hid himself. He slipped away from the temple area.
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