Who is your Father?

John 8 is a challenge for a preacher because the whole chapter has a single point. I would prefer to break this down into three or four sermons, but the text keeps demanding that we keep the big picture in view. The whole chapter comes back to one question: "who is your father?" 8:12-30 Who is Jesus' father? 8:31-59 Who is the father of the Jews? Abraham? (31-40) God? (41-47) Or the Devil? (48-59) Your Bibles may have a section called John 7:53-8:11 I think it is likely that this episode actually happened, (it is certainly consistent with all that we know of Jesus) but it may not have originally been part of John's gospel. The earliest manuscripts of John's gospel do not have these verses, and some early manuscripts put it at the end of Luke or John, or even earlier in John 7. Most likely the early church was convinced that this story belonged in the gospels, but couldn't decide where. But it doesn't quite seem to fit the flow of what John is doing in this section of his gospel. In John 8:12 Jesus is responding to the Pharisees' question at the end of chapter 7 as to where he comes from.

They said that "no prophet arises from Galilee." Jesus doesn't bother to correct them. It would serve no practical purpose to tell them that he was from Bethlehem. So instead Jesus says "I am the light of the world"

Remember that this is still the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles. Earlier Jesus has said that he was the fountain of living water -the rock in the wilderness that provided rivers of living water for his people. He did this on the same day that the priests in the temple were preparing their annual water ceremony.

Another ceremony that the priests had developed was focused around reminding the people of the pillar of fire. Not surprisingly, in our text today Jesus calls himself "the light of the world."

Jesus claims to be the pillar of fire and cloud that Israel is to follow. "Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." This echoes John's statement in 1:4-5 "In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." The light of the world has come. The one who follows him will never walk in darkness, because the light of life will shine before his path.

The Pharisees have had enough. They are tired of Jesus' claims. Jesus had said in chapter 5 that if he testified alone, then his testimony is not valid. Now they complain that he is testifying alone. No Jewish court would accept his claims! There must be at least two witnesses to establish any claim. In John 5 Jesus had pointed to John the Baptist, Moses, and the works that he did. Now, however, Jesus is willing to go toe to toe with them. (Verses 14-18). The Father and the Son both testify.

But the Pharisees are not going to let him get away with this. "Where is your father?" You claim that he testifies of you, but we haven't heard him! This is exactly where Jesus wants them. They set themselves up beautifully! "If you knew me, you would know my Father also." (And John points out that Jesus said this in the temple, still on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles. They want to arrest him, but no one does yet, Because "his hour had not yet come.") So instead Jesus says (verse 21). Jesus is answering their question. Where is his father? He is going to his father-and they cannot come. Since they do not believe in him, they will die in their sins. Jesus is the one who comes from above. "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 unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins." (23-24). If you do not believe that Jesus is the one who came down from heaven for us and for our salvation, you will die in your sins.

Who are you? Jesus is unlike anyone they have ever met. He knows the scriptures intimately, and he doesn't appear like a madman, but the things he says are loony! He is claiming to be "from above"-that he, unlike everyone else, is "not of this world." Who are you, Jesus?

You can almost see Jesus' smile at this. "Just what I have been telling you from the beginning!" Jesus speaks what he has heard from his Father. As the Father speaks, so the Son speaks. As the Father judges, so does he judge. And then, pointing to the cross, he says (verse 28). The cross-when he is lifted up-will demonstrate the truth of his claims. At the cross, the Father will speak, vindicating the Son, because (verse 29). John's gospel portrays the cross as the glorification of Jesus. Yes, it is also his great humiliation, but at the cross, his glory is revealed. On the cross, Jesus is revealed as the exalted Son of God.

And such was the power of Jesus' words that many believed in him (verse 30). Do you remember what happened the last time the Jews believed in him? In John 6 Jesus chases away almost all of his disciples except the twelve. At the Passover he insisted that those who believe in him must eat of his flesh and drink of his blood. Here in John 8 he does the same. At the Feast of Tabernacles-the feast celebrating the provision of God for Israel, Jesus insists that Israel is a bastard in bondage.

The Pharisees have questioned his parentage, now Jesus' turns the tables on them. Who is your Father?

He turns to those Jews who had believed in him and says, (31-32). Every free Jew would have prayed to God, thanking him that he was not a slave. But Jesus says that only his disciples are free. What does it mean to "abide in my word"? In the light of verse 37, it means to believe in Jesus. But it adds a further nuance. Because these Jews have "believed" in Jesus. But they do not abide in his word. "Abiding in my word" means to dwell in the Word of Christ. It means that you see your life in the middle of the Word of God. Regular bible reading and study is indispensable for this, but abiding in my word does not mean simply that you read your bibles. Verse 38 says it all. Abiding in Christ's word means not only that we read and believe, but also-and most importantly-that we do what we have heard from Jesus. The Jews do not understand this. They insist (verse 33)

But, Jesus says, "everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin." Yes, the Jews are "offspring of Abraham," but they are no better than slaves. (Paul makes the same point in Galatians 3-4) And if all of Israel is enslaved to sin, then that means that there is no son to set them free. That is why Jesus had to come down from heaven. There had to be a holy son-a son who was not corrupted and enslaved to sin- so that God could redeem his children. And therefore "if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

Jesus is a son who speaks of what he has seen with his Father. And so are the Jews. "You do what you have heard from your father." (38)

Immediately the Jews reply with some heat, "Abraham is our father!" (39)

No, Jesus says, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing what Abraham did, but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did." (39-40)

Jesus is not interested in biology. Sure, they were physically descended from Abraham, but that does not mean anything where salvation is concerned. They are doing what their father did.

Jesus has now called them both slaves and bastards. In anger they cry out "We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father-even God!"

There, they did it. They walked right into the trap Jesus laid for them. (42-47)

Back in Exodus 4 God declared "Israel is my son, my firstborn." Ever since, the Jews had prided themselves on their privileged status. But they misunderstood the nature of their sonship. Israel's theocratic sonship was not the point of God's adoption. It pointed beyond itself to the eschatological Son. Israel was the son of God-the children of Abraham indeed partook of the covenant, but only insofar as they looked to Christ. The first son of God, Adam, had failed to live like the son of God, and so he exchanged his the fatherhood of God for the fatherhood of the Serpent. And all those who do not "kiss the Son" are but children of the devil. The children of God will recognize their brother, because they will see him doing what their father did. Jesus declares that the Seed of Abraham are only those who rejoice at his coming. As John 1:11 puts it: "He came to his own, and his own did not receive him." Jesus said in verse 34 that "everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin." Now in verse 46 he asks, "which one of you convicts me of sin?" God had called Israel, his son, to love and obey him. But Israel is enslaved to sin. Now the eschatological Son has come, the one who came down from heaven, and he demonstrates by his life that he is the Son of the Father, because he does not sin. But if Jesus is the eschatological Son who speaks the truth that he has heard from his father, then there can be only one reason why they do not hear him: "You are not of God." (47)

There is a warning here for us. And not just for unbelievers. It is not simply for the children-though they should listen too! Do not think for a minute that your profession of faith exempts you from this warning. Because Jesus speaks it to those "who had believed in him." (Verse 31) You who have believed in Jesus, do you hear him? You were once children of the devil. Is it still your will to do your old father's desires? "Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God." (47) If you hear Jesus, then repent and believe, and abide in his word. The Jews do not hear Jesus. They reply (48) Not only do they reject Jesus' word, but they turn around and insult him! Of course, if anyone else had said what Jesus said, they would have had a demon. But Jesus is not concerned for his own glory (49-51)

But for the Jews, this merely confirms their suspicion. (52-53) This Jesus belongs in the loony barn. Not even the prophets dared to say that if anyone kept their word they would never taste death! Who do you make yourself out to be?

But Jesus insists that he is not trying to glorify himself (54). You claim that he is your God, but you are unwilling to hear the one he has sent. Therefore it is plain that (55) Jesus can give as well as he takes! Finally Jesus lowers the boom: "Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad." (56) This was too much. Not only does this guy claim that God is his father, but he says that Abraham saw his day. Abraham died 2000 years ago, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?!" (57)

"Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am."

Everything Jesus has said before this point pales in comparison with the force of these words. Now debate becomes pointless. Jesus has declared himself to be Yahweh. There is nothing more to be said. Having witnessed open blasphemy (they think), there is nothing to be done but to immediately kill Jesus. Deuteronomy 13 made it clear that blasphemers were to be stoned, so the Jews reach for the nearest rock pile and come after him.

And Jesus makes a run for the temple gate. The light of the world now eludes those who walk in darkness.

From this point on, Jesus' interactions with the Jews will be briefer -and will generally end with an attempt to arrest or kill him.

Who is your father? Whether you are adopted or biological, you will look like your parents. Because the family resemblance is not merely physical. Children, have you noticed that you act like your parents? If you haven't seen it yet, ask them, "Dad, how do I act like you?" "Mom, what do I do that reminds you of yourself?" We still live in between the ages, as those who have been born again, but who still resemble the devil, in our flesh. But think about what adoption means. My brother just adopted three children. They still look like their biological father-at least outwardly. But in their behavior they are looking more and more like my brother. We have been adopted by God. We are no longer the heirs of the devil, we are heirs of God together with Christ. Outwardly, yes, sometimes we look too much like our old father. But our old man has died with Christ. We have been adopted. We have a new life. And now we are beginning to look more and more like our new father.

As Jesus says: I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. Whoever is of God hears the words of God. Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.

Copyright © 2003 Peter J. Wallace