The encounter of Jesus with the Jews in this chapter is fascinating.
In a way it’s a bit like children bickering – the Jews accuse Jesus of being demon possessed, Jesus responds by calling them children of the devil.
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free,you will be free indeed. (John 8:35, 36)
The bigger picture of the conversation is how explosive the claims of Jesus are – the Light, the Son, greater than Abraham. The sheer temerity to make such claims would surely mark someone out as being mad or possessed indeed – if it wasn’t for the fact that the acts that He did and the way He behaved reinforced the claims.
It confounded His critics. They were left to threaten to kill him. Yet the words and actions evidently made an impact on some people who heard Him and believed.
The claims of Jesus go way beyond being a good person. The claims of Jesus goes far further than just having good morals and lovely teaching. What Jesus claims is about faith in Him and who He is and who we are in the light of who He is.
The challenge remains for those who believe to live out the truth of how much greater Jesus is than any other teaching, any other source – and how free are made in the light of the Son.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 