DESERVING OF HONOR
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Opening Prayer
Lord, where I lack understanding, teach me by your Holy Spirit. Help me to grasp more and more of what you have for me in your Word.
Read JOHN 8:48–59
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Jesus’ Claims About Himself
48 The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?”
49 “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. 50 I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.”
52 At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”
54 Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. 55 Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.”
57 “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”
58 “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” 59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
As you serve God today, think of all he has accomplished for you; serve him with praise and thanksgiving.How do we respond when we are confronted with unpalatable truths? Do we weigh the comments with humble self-reflection, or do we lash out? The Jews responded with insults (v. 48)! The Samaritans were of mixed ethnicity and worshipped on their own sacred mountain instead of in Jerusalem, so the Jews’ use of the word ‘Samaritan’ insulted Jesus’ Jewishness and implied he was a heretic. Jesus overlooks the personal attack but takes issue with the insult (v. 49) that dishonored the Spirit of God within him. Jesus claims they should honor him because God the Father desires it (vv. 50, 54), because he knows God better than they do (v. 55), and because he has power over death (v. 51).
Each of these statements is shockingly audacious, but the one that most riled his listeners is Jesus’ claim to precede Abraham and his use of the name of God in the phrase ‘before Abraham was born, I am!’ (v. 58; see Exodus 3:14). Jesus is effectively claiming to be God. For the Jews this is blasphemy warranting the death penalty (v. 59), which only proves that Jesus, the true Judge, has been right about them all along (vv. 40, 44)!
Apply
What do we do when people insult Jesus? Do we remind them of who Jesus claimed to be and why he deserves our honor, or do we keep silent?
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, you deserve all honor and glory. Holy Spirit, give me courage and prepare me with words to proclaim who Jesus is and give those who would offend him ears to hear the truth.
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