Title: The Jewish Misunderstanding / John 8:48
Title: The Jewish Misunderstanding/John 8:48-
Introduction
This text is the final scene of the long discourse about Jesus going up to Jerusalem at the Feast of Tabernacles, which began in Chapter 7.
He said to the Jews who were hostile to him, [If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink], and in chapter 8 he forgave the woman caught in adultery, and then leads an ongoing debate with the Jews.
John 8:44 You are of your father the devil.
This further intensified the debate.
To the Israelites who claimed to be the proud descendants of Abraham, Jesus aroused a controversy between the Jews and the descendants of True Abraham by calling them the children of the devil. This caused a sharp confrontation between Jesus and the Jews.
1. Jewish attack
John 8:48 The Jews answered and said, Isn't it true that we say that you are a Samaritan or that you have a demon?
1) When the Jews became logically disadvantaged, they finally replaced their words with personal attacks and slander.
2) You are a Samaritan
To refer to Jesus Christ as a Samaritan is to say that Jesus Christ was not a serious Jew, and less than a pagan.
The Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans.
John 4:9 The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew, so why are you a Samaritan woman asking for a drink of me?"
For the Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans.
3) or possessed by a ghost
In other words, they are attacking whether they are performing these miracles through the power of the devil and deceive people.
4) Always [personal attacks] and [blasphemy accusations] are the obstacles to any discussion.
When it comes to an introductory debate in any meeting, meeting, or discussion, the main [topic]
Discuss what is involved, not use it as a weapon to criticize someone else's personality.
In particular, you should know that revealing personal secrets in public is a fatal blow to human relationships. Even in a couple's quarrel, you have to argue about what was at issue at the time, and you shouldn't pull up all the other things like pulling out sweet potato stems.
2. Jesus' Apologetics
1) Jesus is not glorified by men.
① When Jesus revealed that he was not possessed by a demon, he was not outraged or angry toward the Jews, but maintained his coolness and composure.
John 8:49 Jesus answered, I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you ignore me.
②Jesus is revealing that he is not glorified by men.
John 5:41 I take no glory from men.
③ The judgment between good and evil will be made by God.
John 8:50 I do not seek my glory, but there is one who seeks and judges.
2) Lessons from Jesus
John 8:51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.
① Even though Jesus was a hostile Jew, he testified of the gospel in season and out of season.
②Truly, truly, I say to you,
The expression [truly, truly] is an introductory word that appears when Jesus makes special words in the Gospel of John.
③ a person
It means [anyone] [any person].
④If you keep my word
[My words] refer to all the teachings and precepts of Jesus, not just the words Jesus said now.
[He who keeps the precepts of the Lord]
⑤ I will never see death
To not taste death
ａ. Spiritually, it means that the soul has already been saved through faith in Jesus.
John 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in the one I sent has eternal life and will not be condemned.
passed from death to life
ｂ. Physically, it means that even if you go into physical death, you will eventually rise again.
ｃ. Second death, which means not going to hell at the time of judgment on the last day.
3. The closed mind of the Jews
1) They did not recognize anyone greater than Abraham and the prophets.
John 8:52 The Jews said, "Now I know that you have a demon. Abraham and the prophets are also dead, but you say that if a man keeps my word, he will never taste of death."
John 8:53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who is already dead? And the prophets are also dead. Who do you say you are?
2) Their ears were darkened to hear the truth of Jesus Christ.
① Let’s talk about the Old Testament words of Jesus
John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day, and was rejoicing when he saw it.
Genesis 17:16 I will bless him, that he will bear you a son, and I will bless him and make him the mother of nations; and kings of nations will come from him.
Genesis 17:17 Abraham fell on his face and laughed, saying in his heart,
How can a hundred-year-old man have children? How can Sarah be ninety years old?
*This means that Abraham looked and laughed at what would appear in the future.
②But the Jews misunderstood
John 8:57 The Jews said to him, "You are not yet fifty, and have you seen Abraham?
Jesus said that Abraham looked to the future, but the Jews are asking, Have you seen Abraham?
③ A wise answer to a stupid question
John 8:58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.”
Jesus is saying that He was God and existed from eternity.
④ Disconnection of conversation
John 8:59 As they were picking up stones to strike, Jesus hid and went out of the temple.
conclusion
1. Let's take the attitude of the Jews as a reason for thinking.
① Do not commit the folly of [personal attack] [insulting accusation] [disconnection of conversation] in discussion.
② Let's have an open mind to the truth
2. Let's learn from the image of Jesus
① He was not angry with the Jews who criticized him.
② Rather, he preached the gospel in season and out of season.
3. Let us also focus on the truth.