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The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ (John 8:48-54 ESV)
Now this is only one section of a very long conversation that the Lord Jesus had with this particular group of Jews. All throughout the conversation the Jews were accusing Jesus falsely of what he did not do and of being who he was not. For they did not like his teachings, and they did not like it that he healed people on the Sabbath, and they were jealous of him and threatened by him because of his (temporary) popularity among the people. So they tried to find ways to trip him up with his words and to discredit him.
So, in response to Jesus’ teachings and proclamations, they claimed that his testimony about himself was not true. And they sought to kill him, to get rid of him so that they didn’t have to listen to him anymore. And even though Jesus told them the truth, they did not believe him. And then they accused him of being a Samaritan (mixed breed) and of having a demon. And when Jesus told them the truth of who he was, they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.
And Jesus told us, when he lived on the earth, that if we follow him with our lives that we will be treated as he was treated. We will have people who will accuse us falsely of what we did not do and of who we are not. We will have people in our lives who will malign our good character, and who will accuse us of motivations and actions that are not true. And they will not have any more proof of their false accusations than these Jews had of their false accusations against Jesus’ character and of why he did what he did.
Now, were Jesus’ words to them all flowery and feel-good? No! They were not! Why? Because true love tells people the truth and not the lies. Why? Because true love is more concerned about the salvation of human souls than one’s own reputation and whether or not they will be liked and accepted by others. And as followers of Christ, and as ministers of the gospel, we need to be telling people the truth of the gospel, even its hard truths, because we want to see people delivered out of slavery to sin.
So, what were some of the hard truths that Jesus was teaching these Jews? He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” He said that if we do not believe in him that we will die in our sins. But then he said, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” And He said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.” So, by faith we do not walk in sin but in obedience to God.
And he said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” Now that’s some very hard truths (John 8:42-44; cf. 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10).
So, why was Jesus so strong in what he said? Wasn’t he concerned that he might offend the Jews? No! He wasn’t! Why? Because he loved them more than he cared about what they thought of him. He loved the people of this earth enough to tell us the truth that got him killed. And we should love the people of this earth with that same love that is willing to be hated and persecuted in order to get the truth out to the people for their salvation from sin and for their eternal life with God. But he still defended his own honor.
[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 1:12-13; John 6:44; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 2:6-8; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Galatians 5:16-21; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-13; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:5-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10]
Oh, to Be Like Thee, Blessed Redeemer
Lyrics by Thomas O. Chisholm, 1897
Music by W. J. Kirkpatrick, 1897
Oh, to be like Thee! blessèd Redeemer,
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.
Oh, to be like Thee! full of compassion,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
Seeking the wandering sinner to find.
O to be like Thee! lowly in spirit,
Holy and harmless, patient and brave;
Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,
Willing to suffer others to save.
O to be like Thee! while I am pleading,
Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love;
Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,
Fit me for life and Heaven above.
Oh, to be like Thee! Oh, to be like Thee,
Blessèd Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.
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