Introduction
John 8:31–47: Today’s reading continues a debate over Jesus’s opponents’ claim as children of Abraham and Jesus’s claim that God is his Father. The opponents claim Abraham as their father (verse 39), but Jesus declares that they are children of the devil because they will not listen to him.
Today’s Key Verse: John 8:31–32
Jesus said to those who believed in him, “If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples; you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”
Reading
31 So Jesus said to those who believed in him, “If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples; 32 you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
33 “We are the descendants of Abraham,” they answered, “and we have never been anybody’s slaves. What do you mean, then, by saying, ‘You will be free’?”
34 Jesus said to them, “I am telling you the truth: everyone who sins is a slave of sin. 35 A slave does not belong to a family permanently, but a son belongs there forever. 36 If the Son sets you free, then you will be really free. 37 I know you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are trying to kill me, because you will not accept my teaching. 38 I talk about what my Father has shown me, but you do what your father has told you.”
39 They answered him, “Our father is Abraham.”
“If you really were Abraham’s children,” Jesus replied, “you would do the same things that he did. 40 All I have ever done is to tell you the truth I heard from God, yet you are trying to kill me. Abraham did nothing like this! 41 You are doing what your father did.”
“God himself is the only Father we have,” they answered, “and we are his true children.”
42 Jesus said to them, “If God really were your Father, you would love me, because I came from God and now I am here. I did not come on my own authority, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to listen to my message. 44 You are the children of your father, the Devil, and you want to follow your father’s desires. From the very beginning he was a murderer and has never been on the side of truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he is only doing what is natural to him, because he is a liar and the father of all lies. 45 But I tell the truth, and that is why you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you can prove that I am guilty of sin? If I tell the truth, then why do you not believe me? 47 He who comes from God listens to God’s words. You, however, are not from God, and that is why you will not listen.”
Reflect
Reread verses 31 and 32. What does Jesus describe as the sequence for being set free? Do you find parts of Jesus’s teaching hard to accept? What does he say needs to happen to know the truth? How would you describe your desires? Have you experienced freedom from sin? In what way?
Pray
Lord Jesus, your Word is truth, and you have promised eternal life to all who believe in you and obey your teachings. Teach me to be obedient to your will and give glory to you. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
John 8:48–59: Jesus’s opponents accuse him of having a demon.
