Thursday 23 July 2026
- Bible Book:
- John
Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing what Abraham did, but now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. You are indeed doing what your father does.” (vs 39-41)
Background
Those debating with Jesus repeat that Abraham is their father. Jesus responds making clear that it is not inheritance that means an individual is part of Abraham’s family, rather being 'a child of Abraham' requires the individual to follow Abraham’s example. Jesus can see that those he speaks intend to kill him and asks why when he only speaks the truth which he has learned from God, his father.
Through John’s Gospel the deepest sin is identified as failing to respond when faced with Jesus, the one representing God. Throughout John 8 we see a combination of those coming to believe in Jesus and those failing to acknowledge or recognise him. This was a crisis, a moment of judgement in which people, both individuals and institutions, were shown up for what they really were. In Jesus' arguments with those who asked him questions but were not really interested in his answers, Christ sharpened this judgment and bore the consequences.
In verse 44 Jesus accuses those who refuse to listen to what he says of belonging not to God but to the devil. This may jar with our impression of Jesus, indeed in this chpater of John's Gospel it is hard to see Jesus as a peaceful man. It is worth noting that the use of the word ‘devil’ is not unusual in Jewish debates at the time. For example, in the Dead Sea Scrolls IQH IV, 7, the sectarian Jews at Qumran wrote: "And they, teachers of lies and seers of falsehood, have schemed against me a devilish scheme."
John shares in this tradition highlighting how much is at stake in who can claim to be children of God. Jesus’ words make it clear that those who belong to God hear what God says and act accordingly – with love, not violence.
To Ponder:
- Are there similar debates in society today relating to who is ‘in’ and who is ‘out’?
- How do you hear what God says?
Prayer
Help me God
Through my actions
Through my words
To show I belong to you. Amen
Bible notes author: Dr Tom Lunt
Dr Tom Lunt is a Methodist local preacher, prison chaplain and lecturer. He lives with his wife Liz in East Sussex.