These ‘believers’ (verse 30) show their true colours as they attack and slander Jesus. They reveal that they are prideful, easily offended, concerned with their own status rather than seeking to obey God – the people, more than any others, who should be ready and welcoming the Messiah reject Him.
They judge Jesus as condemned by God because they don’t like what He is
saying. As Christians we will face people's judgement and we even condemn ourselves at times. Jesus knew that what He believed, His mission and His identity were shaped by His Father; He was therefore impervious to
So let's make it our priority to spend time in devotion to Jesus each day.
You may want to take 10 minutes to meditate (read slowly, repeatedly, prayerfully) on Romans 5:1 and 8:1
'Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ' (Romans 5:1)
'Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus' (Romans 8:1)
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Going deeper
– Personal daily study notes on 8:48-59
Monday: read John
8:48 and Matthew 10:24-25
Jesus is attacked and slandered
for telling the truth. They accuse of Him of being ‘a Samaritan and demon
possessed’. They are seeking to discredit Him in the most culturally pernicious
ways they can. What are the modern forms of ‘mud-slinging’ that Christians
might be discredited with?
Read Matthew 10:24-25, what does this say about suffering in a
Christian’s life?
Leon Morris has said, ‘Jesus is not concerned that people should give him
the glory that is His due; God is looking after that.’ He sets us a great example of doing God’s will
regardless of the backlash, entrusting Himself and His reputation to the
Father, who is the only real judge anyway.
Tuesday: read John
8:49-50 and Proverbs 29:25
Paul experienced similar
dishonour from people whilst being honoured by God. He wrote, ‘through glory and dishonor, bad report and good
report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown…’ (2 Cor.
4:6-9) How might fear of disrespect stop us from sharing our faith? Is fear of
man being a ‘snare’ for you?
Wednesday: read John 8:49-50
& 59, 1 Corinthians 4:1-3 and Romans 8:1
As we see in 5:18; 8:59; 10:31-33, these Jews were judging Jesus as
condemnable; they thought they were defending God’s glory, when they were
actually opposing God and were under His judgement. Jesus sets us an example,
as does Paul when he says, ‘I care very
little if I am judged by you or by any human court’ (1 Corinthians 4:1-3)
of allowing God alone to be His judge- no one can really condemn you except God
and God says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in
Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 8:1)
Thursday: read John
8:49-50 and Romans 8:33-34
If you are a Christian, reject
all human attempts to judge (I’m not talking about speeding and the legal
system!); in Christ, God has declared you justified! Don’t lose confidence in
God’s perfect justice – Jesus has taken the wrath of God for all who will put
their faith in Him! Take a moment to meditate on Paul’s words from Roman
8:33-34
Friday: read John 8:50 & 54
The Father is committed to the glory of Jesus. We will face difficulties
and many people are hostile to the message of Jesus, which can tempt us into
losing confidence. How does the Father’s commitment to Jesus’ glory help us
when it seems that so many disbelieve and even mock Christianity?
Saturday: read John 8:51-59
This is both a staggering promise
and dire warning. Have we believed and obeyed Jesus’ word? Read Hebrews
2:14-15, are we living with freedom from the fear of death?
Jesus reveals His eternal, uncreated, divine nature, “before Abraham was
born I am”. The Jews’ violent reaction
reveals that they understood that Jesus was claiming to be God.
