Inspire Faith - Flipbook - Page 17
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JOHN 8
28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross,
then you will understand that I Am he.* I do nothing on my own but say only
what the Father taught me. 29 And the one who sent me is with me—he has
not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him.” 30 Then many who heard
him say these things believed in him.
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 Abraham,” 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 Abraham!” they declared.
“No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, 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 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 Samaritan 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
Abraham 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
8:28 Greek When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am. “Son of Man” is a
title Jesus used for himself. 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.
know
truth,
“and you will
the
truth
and the
free.
will set you
”
