Jesus tells the Truth, like it or not

Article for June 15, 2025

      John 8:46–47 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”

      Jesus is giving the Jews around Him a talk that tells them they are from their fathers who are from the devil.  These Jews Jesus is talking to are the Pharisees and those who follow them.  Jesus is not pulling any punches here, actually, Jesus is telling them the truth whether they like it or not.

      These Jews are related to those who God first called to be His people.  The history of God’s chosen is mixed with loyalty and betrayal.  Many at one time followed God closely and many if not more fell away to serve themselves rather than God.

John 8:48–50 48The Jews answered [Jesus], “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 49Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. 50Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge.

The Pharisees may have had the right to question Jesus.  There had been others who claimed to be the messiah.  If the Pharisees had done their homework they might have found much scripture that would prove who Jesus is.  But like all experts, the Pharisees put their trust in their selves rather than in the word of God.

You cannot interpret the Holy Scripture through osmoses.  One needs to study all of scripture in order to interpret scripture correctly.  Once you let your ego get in the way you lose the connection with the Holy Spirit who guides you through the correct interpretation.

For these so-called experts to say Jesus the Son of God has a demon is indeed sacrilegious.  To have such an argument with Jesus is to hope you can win and therefore show off to those who still follow you instead of following Jesus. 

To call Jesus a Samaritan was an act of prejudice even though the Samaritans were known to mix religions.  Truthfully, the Pharisees were mixing God’s word with their own sinful desires.  Not much different than the Samaritans.

John 8:51–53 51Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” 52The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ 53Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died!

      Understanding Jesus is understanding the scriptures and what they say about our God.  God has never been about losing His people, instead God tries constantly through the history of the chosen ones to save them to be His people.  You would think that reading about all the times God’s chosen chose the wrong paths and separated themselves from God that they would change their ways.

      We are very guilty of the same narcissistic acts that we constantly try and separate our selves from God as well.  We read and see the vile path of God’s chosen people and follow along thinking if we call it a different name it will be different.  Who do we think we are?  And who do we think we are fooling.  Certainly not God, He knows everything.

      John 8:53–55 Who do you make yourself out to be?” 54Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ 55But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word.

      Is it me or do we have a humble God who has humbled Himself as the Son born of a virgin?  Jesus is not one to boast in Himself and He tries to help these Jews see that.  Experts are not humble, neither are Pharisees.  What Jesus does again, as He did in earlier verses of this chapter, is tell the truth.  But these Jews and Pharisees are bent on making Jesus out to be a liar.

      Jesus knows the Father and the Father knows the Son.  Knowing the Father, Jesus keeps the Father’s word, which is the same as saying Jesus keeps the Father’s will as the Father wants it to be kept.

      John 8:56–59 56Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” 57So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” 58Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

      And here it is!  Jesus tells the Pharisees who He is! Jesus is the, “I AM.”  Jesus who was with the Father when the world was created, “I AM.”  Jesus who was with the Father when God said let us create man in our own image, “I Am.”  Jesus who came from the Father to be our savior, “I AM.”  Jesus who died on the cross for our sin and was resurrected for our salvation by the Father who is the Great I AM.  And Jesus who sent us the Holy Spirit, “I AM.”  Amen.

      Written by Pastor Curtis A. May