In your face! We think of Jesus as being gentle and soft spoken, even a little meek. Why is that because he's anything but that in John 8:31-59? In fact, I'd say he was downright offensive. So what went through your mind when you read this scripture? And what can we learn and do with it? I know, this one's kind of hard. So think about it and send in your comments (or questions if you have some). Tami W.
P.S. Just a little reminder that Dr. Kroll is teaching in John on Back to the Bible. We'd love for you to join in our personal Bible study time as well.
What went through my mind when reading this passage? What hit me squarely in the center of the face? If I am God's child then I will be about doing as God would do?
Many times life hands me situations where I should be sharing the truth of God's Word. Usually I rack-up a miserable failure because I am too much worried about what is the right way to present the Word in this situation. God's Son was not worried about offending the people. God's Son was about doing what is right in the eyes of His Father in heaven. God's Son was about doing what God would do. If I am God's child I need to be about doing what God would do.
I think hear you see Jesus very concerned with the truth. Because of His love for his own, Jesus had no commendation for false teaching. No where in the Bible does one see anything good about false teaching, lies, etc. Satan said from the beginning, "Did God really say" when Eve entered into Dialog with the Father of lies. Jesus told Pilate that one reason he came into the world was to "Testify to the truth". This is one such occasion and those who propagate lies never like the answer, it is usually offensive to their framework and system. I love it when the Lord of authority speaks and gets right to the heart of the matter, leaving those in opposition with little, to say, and exposing their hearts. In other places, when Jesus is direct, he does it out of love, exposing the lie because He wants people to know the truth. That is why He warned people of hell and eternal separation from the love of God. If you do not love someone, you rarely warn them. When Jesus spoke this way, it was because of His love for people to know the truth. But here, Jesus is showing that He has only condemnation for the false teachers, and those in the audience around Him knew exactly what He was saying. Great text. Thanks...
Wow! Talk about intense! I do agree that we often see Jesus as a meek, humble and often soft-spoken man. To read this bold exchange of words was very interesting, and it was, in a way, an eye opener. He drives home a very valid point that I believe is particularly true today as well. He said that the people claim to know God, but their actions and attitudes don't reflect it in the least bit. To go a step further, reading this passage reminded me of another I had read in Paul's letter to Titus. He said, "Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good." (Titus 1:16) My point is this: these two passages really made me stop and think...am I really walking the walk, or just talking the talk?
Dear Tami:
John 8:32/NKJV, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
For some reason, I always note the use of the word "make" here in the NKJV translation. I think John 8:32 sets the tone for the entire conversation here. The truth shall "make" or the truth shall "set" you free. Both are powerful thoughts but which is the stronger thought? I just think that "make" is the stronger word, because it implies that there is a power behind God's truth that is doing something permanent within those who commit to that truth each day. I understand that it might seem like just a matter of semantics, but "make" has a permanent implied power to gently "push us" towards freedom when we drift away. Jesus does not have any fear in speaking the truth to those who oppose Him. There seems to be an intimacy (like shown by the words Abba(Arabic)or Father or Daddy-Ref Galatians 4:6). Intimate power with the Father that keeps Him firmly walking in His truth. Jesus does not hold back the truth when it needs to be spoken. He speaks the truth because He is the truth (John 14:6). His strength is the same strength that we need as His disciples each day. As I see it, truth is the source of this remarkable strength that the child of God receives when we walk in a right relationship with our Lord each day. It's sometimes a struggle, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, we (I)(You) can do it!
That my spin of this text. I just love it!
Good Morning,
His truth has set me Free.His strenght has enabled me.The Holy Spirit has indeed helped me,as well as other people brought across my path in life. God is awesome.Thank you Jesus. indeed! I also agree.