Thursday 26th October
Read John 8:38-41a
“I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.’
‘Abraham is our father,’ they answered.
‘If you were Abraham’s children,’ said Jesus, ‘then you would do what Abraham did. 40 As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. 41 You are doing the works of your own father.’” (NIVUK)
The sting in the tale is slowly sneaking up on the Jews. The outline becoming dimly discernible. Throughout the discussion Jesus has been increasingly plainly asserting His divine paternity. He is explaining what He knows and He knows because of where He is from. His actions back up His words and claims.
Now He challenges the Jews on their paternity. He does not question their physical descent from Abraham, that remains common ground. But He is challenging their spiritual and moral descent from Abraham – which is why they repeat their claim that Abraham is their father. Unlike Jesus, their actions betray their claims though. Abraham listened to God’s voice. Abraham could hear God. Yet they are deaf to God’s voice as spoken through Jesus and seek His death. Their works, their words and actions, reveal who their father really is. They rely on Abraham for their standing before God. But if their actions don’t match their claim how much trouble are they in?
Is the sting in the tale slowly creeping up on you too?
