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Daily Devotions

John

John 
Day 
Day 120

Not of God!

Text: John 8 : 12-59

“NOT OF GOD!”

Jesus had said some very sobering words to the Jews. He concluded His statement with a query.

“Which of you convicts Me of sin?
And if I tell the truth, why do you not
believe Me? He who is of God hears
God’s words; therefore you do not hear,
because you are not of God.”
John 8:46-47

Jesus had said His piece now. Had He said anything that was wrong or sinful? Had He said anything that was contradictory to God’s Word? The Jews had every right to refute what He had said. But if the Jews could not refute any of the things that Jesus said against them, then He was right. He had proven the point of this intense dialogue. The Jews did not hear, and could not abide the truth that Jesus proclaimed. The simple fact was that they were not of God, despite their fierce declaration that they were the sons of Abraham!

ANOTHER SPURIOUS CHARGE

Jesus allowed the Jews to answer His solemn charge. He waited for them to give an answer. What they said in reply should not surprise us at all.

“Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan
and have a demon?”
John 8:48

Was that the best that the Jews could come up with as a reply? How absolutely pathetic was their answer. Instead of making a pointed reply to the charges laid against them, all they could do was to resort to rhetoric!

They counter-charged Jesus on two counts. They accused Him of being a Samaritan and being possessed by a demon!

The first wild charge against Jesus that He was a Samaritan was more a vitriolic expletive than a serious accusation. Of course they knew that Jesus was not a Samaritan. This was a derisive term hurled at Jesus because they were frustrated and because they wanted to show that they despised Him!

The second charge that Jesus had a demon was more damaging and that had to be refuted. This charge was too serious to go unchallenged.

REFUTATION OF A DEADLY ATTEMPT AT DEFAMATION

The Jews showed great skill and cunning in the way they attacked Jesus. Where they could not answer Jesus they resorted to defamatory tactics. The defamatory statement that Jesus had a demon could not go unchallenged.

In direct contrast to the way in which the Jews spoke, Jesus quietly responded to their defamatory words.

“I do not have a demon; but I honour My Father,
and you dishonour Me. And I do not seek My
own glory; there is One who seeks and judges.
Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps
My word He shall never see death.”
John 8:49-51

Jesus had charged the Jews with being so wicked in their ways, that they could be said to be children of the Devil. The Jews figured that they could as easily charge Jesus with a similar accusation. They charged that He had a demon! How would Jesus prove otherwise?

There was a clear distinction between God the Father and the Devil. He who is of the Devil would never seek to honour God the Father. He would be diametrically opposed to any attempt to honour the Father. Jesus had always maintained that He sought only to honour the Father. His words, His deeds, and His very life – all had one intention! They were geared towards honouring the Father! How could anyone who possessed a demon desire to please God the Father?

Jesus knew what the Jews were trying to do. They were trying to discredit and dishonour Him, and thus they resorted to name-calling. Thus they called Him a Samaritan and accused Him of having a demon!

ANOTHER WORD OF WARNING

The Jews were guilty of a great sin! They had accused none other than the Messiah Himself of being in league with the Devil. They had dishonoured Him. Did they know that one day they would have to stand before God, the One who will seek out the truth and judge all things?

As we read this dialogue between Jesus and the Jews, we are reminded of what Matthew wrote. The context was different, but the words of truth that Matthew wrote are apt and applicable.

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart
brings forth good things, and an evil man out of
the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak,
they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
For by your words you will be justified,
and by your words you will be condemned.”
Matthew 12:35-37

Despite the obvious and typical reaction of the Jews, Jesus still gave out a word of invitation. It was still not too late to turn away from the Devil. It was still possible to open the heart to Jesus and receive the Word that He preached!

If only the Jews would give serious thought and consideration to the words of Jesus, they would find eternal life. They would be forgiven. They would never see death! Would they respond to these gracious words of Jesus?