Interesting verses! I am in the middle of John 8.
Verse 33 fascinates me, because after Jesus tells those who have believed in him, "...you will know the truth and the truth will set you free" they answered him, "We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, 'You will become free'?"
First of all, the antecedent isn't clear. From what Jesus states further down in this record, it wouldn't appear the question came from those who believed, but from those who challenged his claims of equality with God. Second, what short-term memories! Never been enslaved? The Hebrew history was punctuated with being enslaved and/or exiled . . . 400 years in Egypt prior to the exodus under Moses' leadership. . . the 70 year exile during the lifetime of Daniel. Not to mention dominated by other kingdoms. In fact at this time in history, they were under Roman rule. Never been slaves? Hmmmm.
Verse 34 intrigues me because of Jesus statement that, "...everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin." I generally think of 'practicing' being related to something I want to get better at. It occurs to me that there are those who definitely practice sin - but the thought comes as a new thought.
One of the lessons I love inherent in this section of John 8, is that Jesus is the One who makes us free. We all come to Him unworthy and undone. We cannot break the chains of sin without His intervention - but when we invite Him to, He sets us free. Sin loses its hold. Even though we still sin on occasion, we are no longer a slave to sin. And - Jesus doesn't call us sinners any longer. We are his saints. Sin will not be in our 'house' forever - but the Son will be! What we cannot do for ourselves, even though we might want to, He does, through His blood shed for us on the cross. Amazing love!
Next, on this day particular at the temple, Jesus addresses those who are trying to find a way to have Him eliminated and tells them they are of their father the devil, and defines clearly what that means. They retaliate by calling him a Samaritan and demon-possessed. Those were the most derogatory references they had in their arsenal of verbal assaults.
It makes me stop and pay attention. Jesus was misunderstood and maligned in a vicious verbal barrage, and He was God. It should be no surprise when we are misunderstood and maligned. And when we are, we need His grace....
In this passage, Jesus provides excellent teaching that goes over their heads. "If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death." Of course, He was talking about eternal death...but they didn't understand. After all of the dialogue about Abraham and their failure to live up to Abraham's legacy as father; they then claim God as their Father, which Jesus disputed. "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God...."
Some of what He says sounds caustic when it is just the words on the page - but those who were present could look into His eyes and hear the tone of His voice.... They were blind. His words were intended to get them to want sight.
This chapter ends with a final reference to Abraham. Jesus tells them that Abraham looked forward to the day when Jesus would come. And, then He declares, "...before Abraham was, I am." Instead of falling at his feet, they picked up stones He created, intending to stone Him, but He hid himself and went out of the temple.
During the February 2011 trip to Israel, we visited Temple Mount. I know the area where this interchange took place...and it is the area Jesus will return to when He comes again! The pictures I have included were taken on Temple Mount - on Mt Moriah, where Abraham 'offered' Isaac, which is the present site where the Dome of the Rock sits....
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