Boys Life Application Study Bible Gospel of John Sampler - Flipbook - Page 84
John 9 // 1259
JESUS AND ABRAHAM
31 Jesus said to the people who believed
in him, “You are truly my disciples if you
remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And
you will know the truth, and the truth
will set you free.”
33 “But we are descendants of Abra
ham,” they said. “We have never been
slaves to anyone. What do you mean,
‘You will be set free’?”
34
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth,
everyone who sins is a slave of sin. 35 A
slave is not a permanent member of the
family, but a son is part of the family forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you are
truly free. 37 Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of
you are trying to kill me because there’s
no room in your hearts for my message.
38 I am telling you what I saw when I was
with my Father. But you are following the
advice of your father.”
39 “Our father is Abra
ham!” they declared.
“No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were
real
ly the children of Abra
ham, you
would follow his example.* 40 Instead,
you are trying to kill me because I told
you the truth, which I heard from God.
Abraham never did such a thing. 41 No,
you are imitating your real father.”
They replied, “We aren’t illegitimate
children! God himself is our true Father.”
42
Jesus told them, “If God were your
Father, you would love me, because I
have come to you from God. I am not here
on my own, but he sent me. 43 Why can’t
you understand what I am saying? It’s
because you can’t even hear me! 44 For
you are the children of your father the
devil, and you love to do the evil things
he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth,
because there is no truth in him. When
he lies, it is consistent with his character;
for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 So
when I tell the truth, you just naturally
don’t believe me! 46 Which of you can
truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I
am telling you the truth, why don’t you
8:39 Some manuscripts read if you are really the children
of Abraham, follow his example.
8:54 Some manuscripts
read You say he is your God.
8:57 Some manuscripts
read How can you say Abraham has seen you?
8:58 Or
before Abraham was even born, I have always been alive;
Greek reads before Abraham was, I am. See Exod 3:14.
BoysLASB_repk.indb 1259
believe me? 47 Anyone who belongs to
God listens gladly to the words of God.
But you don’t listen because you don’t
belong to God.”
48 The people retorted, “You Samarit
an
devil! Didn’t we say all along that you
were possessed by a demon?”
49 “No,” Jesus said, “I have no demon
in me. For I honor my Father—and you
dishonor me. 50 And though I have no
wish to glorify myself, God is going to
glorify me. He is the true judge. 51 I tell
you the truth, anyone who obeys my
teaching will never die!”
52 The people said, “Now we know you
are possessed by a demon. Even Abra
ham and the prophets died, but you say,
‘Anyone who obeys my teaching will
never die!’ 53 Are you greater than our
father Abraham? He died, and so did the
prophets. Who do you think you are?”
54 Jesus answered, “If I want glory for
myself, it doesn’t count. But it is my Father who will glorify me. You say, ‘He is
our God,’* 55 but you don’t even know
him. I know him. If I said otherwise, I
would be as great a liar as you! But I do
know him and obey him. 56 Your father
Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward
to my coming. He saw it and was glad.”
57 The people said, “You aren’t even
fifty years old. How can you say you have
seen Abraham?*”
58 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth,
before Abraham was even born, I Am!*”
59 At that point they picked up stones to
throw at him. But J esus was hidden from
them and left the Temple.
JESUS HEALS A MAN BORN BLIND
9
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a
man who had been blind from birth.
2 “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why
was this man born blind? Was it because
of his own sins or his parents’ sins?”
FREE
(8:31-36) Jesus spoke of the freedom he offered.
What’s your idea of freedom? Is it being able to
make your own choices? But some choices aren’t
good. In fact, making their own choices caused
trouble for Adam and Eve (see Genesis 3). As a
consequence of Adam and Eve’s bad choices, we are
all born with a desire to do wrong. That’s why Jesus
said, “Everyone who sins is a slave of sin” (John
8:34). But the freedom Jesus offers is the freedom
to choose not to do wrong. Are you free?
2/28/2018 2:45:37 PM
