Month: September 2012

There is no better way to get to know the Lord Jesus Christ than to listen to him. In John 8:48-59, using compressed, condensed language, he tells you who he really is. As you listen to him notice how references to Abraham are intertwined with the theme of God’s glory. If you want to glorify God you have to know him in his Son.

A basic truth becomes evident–you cannot remain neutral about Jesus Christ. Jesus had pointed out that those opposing him were really children of the devil, the one who was a liar and murderer from the beginning. His opponents, who were seeking his death, accused him of being a Samaritan and being possessed by a demon. Jesus ignores the first accusation and responds to the second by affirming that instead of seeking his own glory, his Father, the judge, seeks his glory. The lines are drawn. Either you join in the Father glorifying the Son (by keeping the word of Jesus, which means you ultimately never see death), or you side with the powers of Continue reading “Do you see what Abraham saw?”

“She certainly has her mother’s eyes!” “He looks just like his daddy!” Not only do you hear those comments about a baby, but as the child grows you begin to see reflections of the parents’ conduct acted out by the child. We learn from our parents. Jesus makes a sobering statement in John 8:42-47: we are by nature imitators of a lying, murderous father, the devil. Even more sobering, Jesus’ words are addressed to “those who had believed in him” (John 8:31).

The devil is a liar and murderer. Genesis 3 recounts how Satan, having taken the form of a serpent, tempted Adam and Eve. He lied, denying that the consequence of eating would be the death that God had threatened. In enticing them to sin, he brought death into the world.

Jesus wants you to know how deceptive Satan is, how he lies, how he tries to make you think that the consequences of sin don’t really apply to you. Children, and adults as well, need to recognize that thoughts like, “Nobody will ever find out,” or “Everybody is doing it,” or “Just trying this once is not a big deal,” are lies from Satan. God’s standard of right and wrong, of black and white, is replaced by Continue reading “Your Family Likeness”

Jesus’ words, “The truth will set you free,” (John 8:31-32) are sometimes pulled out of context, used as a slogan, or even engraved on buildings on university campuses, where any connection with Jesus is considered politically incorrect! Truth, as it comes from the mouth of Jesus, is not an abstract concept.

John tells us that Jesus was addressing those who had believed on him. Yet, as the conversation progresses, it becomes clear that he considers his hearers, not children of Abraham as they claimed, but followers of their father, the devil. Apparently there are believers and there are believers. Many who had believed on him in some sense (as a provider of food or a great teacher) were unwilling to place their trust in him as the one who redeems from sin, perhaps because that would involve admitting to a problem that they were unwilling to face–their alienation from a holy God. Similarly today many have a one-sided view of Jesus. They want him to fall back on when life is difficult, but are much less enthusiastic about Continue reading “The Truth Will Set You Free!”

The people of Israel, newly delivered from Egypt, were terrified. God had led them out of Egypt, but then Pharaoh had changed his mind about letting his slaves go. His army pursued them, trapping them against the shore of the sea. It was night, and while God opened a path through the sea for his people, the pillar of cloud and fire which had led them moved between Israel and the approaching Egyptians. It provided light to Israel as they started through the seabed, while darkness kept the army from overtaking them. The pillar of cloud by day and fire by night continued to lead Israel through the wanderings in the desert as Continue reading “The Light of the World”