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Sunday School Lesson
Some of the people who heard the teachings of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, as he taught in the temple in Jerusalem, were steeped in their own self-importance. These religious leaders were, obviously, familiar with the history of their nation. They saw their "level of knowledge" as being "superior" to any of the "common run" of people. These people did not accept Jesus Christ as anybody except "just another philosopher or teacher" who was "upsetting their political apple-cart." The teachings of this man from Nazareth was being accepted by the "common people" (Mark 12:37), which seemed to be undermining the petty "religious theories" that they had woven into a politico-religious system. In some areas, the "popular tide" seemed to be "turning against" Jesus. However, this fact did not prevent his going to Jerusalem for the "feast of tabernacles." John 7:2. While he was there, he made a call to all who had a spiritual thirst. John 7:37- 39. This call seemed to "divide the house." John 7:40-44. The encounter with the "woman taken in adultery" (John 8:1-11) did not end as the accusers had envisioned. John 8:11b, c. This fact led to further "confrontation" with these "religious authorities." Mercy and forgiveness did not "fit" their point of view. This "upstart from nowhere" (John 1:46b) declared, "If ye continue (abide; remain) in my word (expression of thought), then are ye disciples indeed (truly); and ye shall know (recognize; understand) the truth (signifies the reality lying at the basis of appearance), and the truth shall make (set) you free (not confined or restrained)." John 8:31, 32. These religious leaders were some of the first "scholars" to "rewrite history." "They answered (responded to) him, we be Abraham's seed (offspring), and were never (not yet; not even one) in bondage to any man (one): how sayest thou, ye shall be made free?" John 8:33. Jesus did not remind them of their national history- and their present condition as subjects of the Roman Empire. He, simply, declared, "whosoever (any one who) committeth (practices) sin (to miss the mark) is (to exist as) the servant (the lowest of slaves) of sin." John 8:34. After "dropping this bombshell," he continued, "And the servant abideth (remains) not (absolute negative) in the house for ever: but the son abideth ever (to the ages)." John 8:35. The "fallen nature" of mankind allows us to think that we can hide actions and motives from God. Genesis 3:7, 8. Earlier in his gospel, John wrote of Jesus, that he "needeth not that any (anyone) should testify (witness) of (concerning) man (humans): for he knew what was in man." John 2:25. There in the temple, Jesus told his critics, "I know that ye are Abraham's seed, but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place (space; region; pass or enter) in you. I speak that which I have seen with (from beside of) my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with (from beside of) your father." John 8:37, 38. This declaration led to our master naming the father of those who opposed him and the gospel. "Ye are of (out of) your father the devil (slanderer; accuser), and the lusts (desires) of your father ye will do. He was (to exist as) a murderer (manslayer) from the beginning (first), and abode (stood) not (absolute negative) in the truth, because there is (exists) no (absolute negative) truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." John 8:44. Obviously, the speaking of this truth did not "sit well" with these men. The religious leaders began to hurl accusations toward the Son of God. "Then answered (responded) the Jews (the Jewish religious leaders), and said unto him, say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast (posses) a devil (demon, as an inferior pagan deity?") John 8:48. The strength of these derogatory words did not make them "truth." Jesus declared, "I have (possess) not a devil; but I honour (revere; prize; fix valuations on) my father, and ye do dishonour me." John 8:49. These religious leaders had been allowed to possess a minor measure of "authority" under the Roman government. They were very "protective of their turf." Jesus declared, "And I seek (strive after; desire) not mine own glory (praise; worship): there is one that seeketh and judgeth (to determine; pronounce judgment.") John 8:50. There were two major "religious parties" in the politico-religious leadership of that day. One of the parties - the Pharisees - believed in "life after death," while the Sadducees saw no life beyond that which existed at the time. Jesus declared, "Verily (truly), verily (truly) I say unto you, If (conditional) a man (anyone) keep (guard; preserve) my sayings (expressions of thought), he shall never see (be a spectator of) death (separation of man from God.") John 8:51. This statement really "set them off." "Then said the Jews unto him, now we know that Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, if a man keep my sayings, he shall never taste (used of 'experience') of death. Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?" John 8:52, 53. Jesus of Nazareth declared, "If I honour myself, my honour is nothing (not any thing): it is my father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: yet ye have not known; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his sayings." John 8:54, 55. The master, then, turned their thoughts back to Abraham. "Your father Abraham rejoiced (to jump for joy) to see my day: he saw it , and was glad (rejoiced)." John 8:56. This declaration brought an immediate angered response. "Then said the Jews unto him, thou art not yet 50 years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?" John 8:57. The next statement made by Jesus became a great revelation to any spiritually hungry heart, but was blasphemous to those who did not understand that God had sent his son into the world. "Jesus said unto them, verily, verily, I say unto you, before Abraham was (existed), I am." John 8:58. We are told that , "then took they up stones to cast (throw) at him: but Jesus hid (to conceal; to cover) himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by." John 8:59.
The "point of anger" that sparked the attempted assassination of the Son of God came from the fact that he applied the words "I am," to himself. These are divine words. Exodus 3:14. Thus, these men did not want to admit that Jesus was "from above." Do you?
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