NLT Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition - Flipbook - Page 42
J ohn 8
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page 1816
and much to condemn, but I won’t. For I say only what I have heard from the one who
sent me, and he is completely truthful.” 27But they still didn’t understand that he was
talking about his Father.
28So 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. 29And the one who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me. For I always do what
pleases him.” 30Then many who heard him say these things believed in him.
8:28
John 3:14; 5:19;
8:24; 12:32
8:29
John 4:34; 6:38;
8:16; 14:10; 16:32
Jesus Speaks about God’s True Children (128)
8:30
John 7:31
faithful to my teachings. 32And 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’?”
34Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. 35A slave is
not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. 36So if the
Son sets you free, you are truly free. 37Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abra
ham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there’s no room in your hearts
for my message. 38I 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.* 40Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I
heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. 41No, you are imitating your real father.”
They replied, “We aren’t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.”
42Jesus 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. 43Why can’t you understand
what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me! 44For 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. 45So when I
tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe me! 46Which of you can truthfully accuse
me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47Anyone
who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you
don’t belong to God.”
8:31
John 15:7
2 Jn 1:9
31Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain
8:32
Rom 8:2
2 Cor 3:17
Gal 5:1, 13
8:33
Matt 3:9
Luke 3:8
8:34
Rom 6:16, 20
2 Pet 2:19
8:35
Gen 21:10
Gal 4:30
8:39
Matt 3:9
John 8:33
Gal 3:7, 14, 29
8:41
Deut 32:6
Isa 63:16; 64:8
Mal 1:6
8:42
1 Jn 5:1
8:44
Gen 3:4; 4:9
1 Jn 3:8
8:45
John 18:37
8:47
1 Jn 4:6
Jesus States He Is Eternal (129)
48The 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
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.
8:32 Jesus himself is the truth that sets us free (8:36). He is the source
of truth, the perfect standard of what is right. He frees us from continued slavery to sin, from self-deception, and from deception by Satan.
He shows us clearly the way to eternal life with God. Thus, Jesus does
not give us freedom to pursue harmful actions or dangerous beliefs
but freedom to have new and overflowing life as we follow him (see
10:10). As we seek to serve God, Jesus’ perfect truth frees us to be all
that he created us to be.
8:34-35 Sin has a way of enslaving us, controlling us, dominating us,
and dictating our actions. Jesus can free you from this slavery that keeps
you from becoming the person God created you to be. If sin is restraining,
mastering, or enslaving you, Jesus can break its power over your life.
8:41 Jesus made a distinction between illegitimate children and true
children. The religious leaders were descendants of Abraham (the
founder of the Jewish nation) and therefore claimed to be children of
God. But their actions showed them to be children of Satan, for they
were living under Satan’s guidance. True children of Abraham (faithful
followers of God) would not act as they did. Your church membership
and family connections will not make you a true child of God. Your real
father is the one you imitate and obey.
8:43 The religious leaders were unable to understand because they
refused to listen. Satan used their stubbornness, pride, and prejudices
to keep them from believing in Jesus.
8:44-45 The attitudes and actions of these leaders clearly identified
them as followers of Satan. They may not have been conscious of this,
but their hatred of truth, their lies, and their murderous intentions indicated how much control the devil had over them. They were his tools
in carrying out his plans; they spoke his language of lies. Satan still uses
people to obstruct God’s work (Genesis 4:8; Romans 5:12; 1 John 3:12).
8:46-47 In a number of places Jesus intentionally challenged his listeners to test him. He welcomed those who wanted to question his claims
and character as long as they were willing to follow through on what
they discovered. Jesus’ challenge to the Jewish leaders here clarifies
two reasons why people often miss out on a life-changing encounter
with Jesus: (1) They never accept his challenge to challenge or test him,
or (2) they test him but are not willing to believe and respond to what
they discover. Have you made either of those mistakes?
