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The challenge of the Jews

Text: John 8 : 12-59

THE CHALLENGE OF THE JEWS

Jesus had mentioned God as His “Father” time and again. When He spoke of judgment, He made reference to God His Father giving Him the power and authority to judge (John 5:19-30). When He spoke about how God provided manna for the children of Israel, He also spoke of Him as “Father” (John 6:32-33). Once again, He spoke of His Father as One who bore witness for Him.

THE CONCEPT OF GOD AS FATHER IN THE PROPHETIC WRITINGS

The concept of God as Father was not unknown to the Jews. Isaiah the prophet addressed God as Father.

“Doubtless You are our Father,
Though Abraham was ignorant of us,
And Israel does not acknowledge us,
You, O Lord, are our Father;
Our Redeemer from everlasting is Your Name.”
Isaiah 63:16

God spoke of Himself as Father to Israel, so Jeremiah the prophet proclaimed.

“…For I am a Father to Israel,
and Ephraim is My firstborn.”
Jeremiah 31:9

What Jesus did was not invalid. His appeal to God as His witness meant that The Jews would have to check every word that Jesus said against the Scriptures. The Jews believed that God had given them the Scriptures, both the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Writings (Psalms, etc.). To concede that Jesus could call God as His witness would mean that The Jews would have to research the Scriptures carefully. Obviously, they were not prepared to do that at all.

THE JIBE OF THE JEWS

Despite obvious knowledge of the doctrine of the Fatherhood of God, the Jews sneered at Jesus and queried,

“Where is Your Father?”
John 8:19

The Jews figured that Jesus could not “produce” God as a physical material witness. They figured that if they dared Jesus to bring forth God as His witness, He would falter and be shaken. Of course no one could call on God as a witness the way Jesus did, so thought the Jews. What would Jesus say to them if they queried Him thus?

Jesus was not to be intimidated. He refused to back down from His statement appealing to God the Father as His witness. Instead, He turned the table on The Jews with this devastating statement.

“…You know neither Me nor My Father,
If you had known Me, you would have
known My Father also.”
John 8:19

Jesus knew that it was futile to discuss the doctrine of God as Father and as His witness further. The tone of the Jews revealed that they had not understood Him at all. If they had not understood Him, how could they understand the Father? Quite obviously, they had not known Jesus after all this while! They had not understood the way He spoke, nor of the doctrines He espoused! How could they ever understand what He would say further about God the Father? With these words, Jesus closed this dialogue. John made this observation,

“These words Jesus spoke in the treasury,
as He taught in the temple; and no one
laid hands on Him, for His hour had
not yet come.”
John 8:20

“THE TREASURY”

The “Treasury” was not a separate building in the Temple. Rather this term was used to describe thirteen special chests that were set outside “The Court of Women” in the Temple. There was a special section devoted for women worshippers. There was strict segregation of worshippers in those days.

The wooden chests had trumpet-like funnels through which people donated to the upkeep of the Temple precincts. Tribute money, special love gifts for the poor, etc. were put into these chests.

Jesus spoke to the people who had gathered around him. The crowds listened attentively as He spoke about how He was the Light of the world. The symbol of light was as well known and appreciated as the symbol of water celebrated at the Feast of Tabernacles. He spoke of how He could light up their life (John 8:12). Those who followed Him would not have to fear walking in darkness (John 8:12). Jesus could do more than just bring light to them. He was the very Light of the world Himself!

THE IMPOTENCE OF THE JEWS

The Jews could do nothing to stop Him from preaching to the growing crowd of people. His words must have brought much hope, cheer and encouragement to their hearts. Anger and resentment gnawed at The Jews. They would have liked nothing better than to arrest Jesus, but they found that they just couldn’t do that. Why that was the case, they could not understand. What was so hard about arresting Jesus?

John gave the most profound answer. There was only one reason why they could not arrest Jesus – “His hour had not yet come”! This thought was of course beyond the understanding of The Jews!