Scripture:
John 8
2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them.
27 They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father.
28 So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he,
29 And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.
44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires.
Observation:
Jesus is again teaching at the temple. He is telling them that he is the one they’ve been waiting for. He is the Messiah sent by the Father. He distinguishes himself from everyone else, especially the other teachers in their midst.
He is of his Father, God. They are of their father, the devil.
Not everyone is able to accept this hard truth.
In fact, even though he is telling them the good news, some wanted to kill Jesus after hearing this.
Application:
Everyone has a father, whether they know him or not.
Everything I do will please a spiritual father, either God or the devil.
Jesus said He “always does the things that are pleasing to God”.
Jesus tells his listeners that their “will is to do the things your father (the devil) desires.”
I will please one or the other.
I will fulfill ones desires.
But who? Who am I pleasing? God or the devil?
I say my will is to always please God the Father. But is it?
Jesus said their “will” was to do the devil’s desires.
And these were people at the temple!
Jesus was telling the “good” people, the “church going” people that they willed to do the desires of the devil. Ouch!
Religious people need to be cautious.
I need to be cautious.
Even the people wanting to hear what Jesus had to say, often didn’t really want to hear it.
I can fool myself. Maybe I can others. But I can’t fool God.
Am I walking in the light? In the Truth? Is my will to please the Father?
And then, do I actually do it?
Prayer:
Thank you again God, for your word.
Help me know your will.
Give me strength and courage to live it.
Keep me from the devil.
Thank you for the cross.
Thank you for experiencing a death that I never will.
Thank you for your forgiveness.
In Jesus name
Amen