Jesus says, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” The only source of truth that we have is the Word of God. And truth is what releases people from the bondage of sin and the enemy.
But the Jews say they are all good bc they are descendants of Abraham and have never been in bondage. So Jesus says to the Jews that Abraham believed in God but you are trying to kill Me. “If God were your Father, you would love Me; for I proceeded forth and came from God…You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him…He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.” 😳 Since they do not accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, Jesus tells them they are on team Satan, the father of lies. There is no in-between. You are either with God or with the devil.
The Jews ask Jesus if He is greater than their father Abraham. “Jesus said to them, ’Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.’” So the answer to their question is YES! Jesus is greater than Abraham bc He is God. This is why Jesus can say He was around about 2,000 years ago, before Abraham and declare His name to be I AM. I AM is the same name that God used to describe Himself to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). However, the Jews don’t like Jesus claiming to be God so they pick up stones to throw at Him but Jesus escapes.
We end the reading with Jesus again teaching the disciples about prayer. “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone?…If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” The best gift anyone can receive is the Holy Spirit, the Helper, who seals the believers’ salvation, sanctifies us, provides wisdom, convicts us of sins, empowers us to be bold witnesses, and gifts us for the work of the ministry!
More teaching from Jesus tomorrow. Keep reading.
(John 8:21-59, Luke 10:1-11:13)
#bibleliteracymovement #chronologicalbibleteaching
Chronological Bible in Layman's Terms 