The Way
John 8:21-32
How many today believe they will die in their sins?
Photo by Micah Camper on Unsplash
Again he said to them, "I am going away, and you will search for me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come." Then the Jews said, "Is he going to kill himself? Is that what he means by saying, 'Where I am going, you cannot come'?" He said to them, "You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am he." They said to him, "Who are you?" Jesus said to them, "Why do I speak to you at all? I have much to say about you and much to condemn; but the one who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him." They did not understand that he was speaking to them about the Father. So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak these things as the Father instructed me. And the one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him." As he was saying these things, many believed in him. Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." - John 8:21-32
Most believe they can put themselves in good stead with God by repenting of their sins. Even the Jews who Jesus was talking to believed that
So, why is Jesus so upset with them?
Jesus had to deal with two types of reception by the people. We are approaching Palm Sunday, when the crowds will come out and sing praises to him, acknowledging him as the Messiah. That is a grand welcome.
But most of the time, he is treated like any other man. That had to be challenging for him.
Here, he tells everyone that it is not enough to repent. You have to acknowledge who Jesus is.
If you don't, you will die in your sins.
So, what about all the other people who believe in God and follow His commandments?
This is where the modern church struggles. How can you be inclusive and preach John's gospel of exclusivity?
We struggle with that, sometimes omitting lines from the Gospel to avoid sounding too exclusive. But Jesus gives us a way to understand this.
If we follow him, we will come to the truth and the truth will set us free.
So, that may be the answer. Acknowledge who Jesus is, so you can follow him, and by following him, you can discover who you truly are.
More to come...