John 8:1-59
8:1-2 How instructive it is that Jesus is always teaching. He values every opportunity before Him because it's an opportunity for Him to share His kindness, His love, His guidance with humanity (who He had endless, abundant love for). Our lives are our opportunities to do the same: to share our kindness, our love and guidance if we are asked for it.
8:3 Attempting a scheme, the Pharisees concoct a situation they believe will be difficult for Jesus - they underestimate the wisdom of His compassion. Unfortunately, while on earth, there are people who will try to undermine others. Our best weapon against them is our wisdom, our perception and our compassion. Truth and kindness always have a way to solve and accomplish, to find answers when others do not see them.
The Pharisees bring to Jesus a woman who has committed one of their crimes.
8:4-5 In these versus we learn what the Pharisees scheme is. They capture this woman who has been unfaithful to her partner and also to the law they follow, the guidance given by Moses in the Old Testament which they subscribe to. Remember that these people, adversaries of Jesus, do not follow these laws as guidance... ways to navigate life without too much trouble. Instead, they use this guidance to impose strict laws upon people... they love the power and control they have over citizens.
Knowing that Jesus acknowledges and supports the Old Testament guidance from Moses, the Pharisees want to trap Him between 1) going against it in order to save the woman or 2) to stick with the words of Moses and thereby condemn the woman. They will be unsuccessful in forcing Jesus to choose between those 2 options.
8:6 Their plan is revealed -- they do not care about the woman or the law, they only wish to debunk Jesus and regain their corrupt power over the people. They have turned off their common sense and compassion in order to strictly govern, satisfying their greed for power.
We are not given the details of what Jesus wrote on the ground, but knowing His quick wisdom we can presume that whatever He wrote, He made it clearly known that He was well aware of what's written in the Old Testament... and likely pointed out that He was also well aware of how the Pharisees had twisted what was written to benefit themselves. In the Old Testament, adultery is taught to be handled differently than the punishment the Pharisees want to inflict upon her. Essentially, (although another study altogether) The Book of Numbers, Chapter 5 demonstrates that a guilty woman should bear her guilt of betraying her partner... but not be killed for it.
Deeper Metaphor: Our unification with God (platonic) is symbolized as marriage often in the Bible, for us to better understand a complex idea. Each of us has been "unfaithful" to God at times in our lives: this means that there have been times in our lives, as individuals and as societies, that we have been as compassionate or humble as we should have been. This message teaches us that our mistakes are looked at by God with understanding and forgiveness and so: we always have the chance to redeem ourselves. To be more kindhearted. A mistake does not warrant death or punishment.
8:7 This is a popular biblical verse. It reminds us that before we judge and punish another person, we must acknowledge our own mistakes (and we all have them). When we realize that we are all living in this complex world, sometimes letting it get the better of us, we can more easily understand and forgive others when they make a mistake.
8:8-9 Whatever Jesus wrote, it reminded the woman's accusers of their own transgressions and they then abandoned their argument against her (realizing that they were not more innocent than she). Punishing her would be hypocritical.
The fact that the accusers left in a specific order leads us to believe that Jesus individual addressed each of them, reminding each of them (with detailed precision and accuracy) of their own mistakes. Jesus has all knowledge and all wisdom. He knows each person better than they even know themselves -- none of their mistakes were hidden to Him. When they learned that, they left -- they had no foundation to support their argument any longer.
Only the woman remained with Jesus.
8:10 With humility, Jesus points out that she is not the only person who has made a mistake. For Jesus to do this, we can understand that she likely felt very badly about hurting her husband (symbolically: transgressing from God). Jesus wanted her to know that every person makes the same mistake of transgressing from God and that every person is given forgiveness and guidance by Him.
8:11 None of them could accuse her without hypocrisy. Jesus wanted her to know that He, and God, would not condemn her for a mistake. Instead, they would work with her to be more compassionate. God does not punish; God allows the ramifications of our own decisions. When we make a bad decision, consequences logically follow... but God will lead us out of those consequences if we want and work to start making good decisions. God does not punish; God heals and loves and guides.
8:12 Jesus is explaining to all of humanity: The message of God is our guidance through difficulty. It teaches us how to be compassionate, wise and humble -- the three qualities which purchase us happiness, purpose and life. God's light is love and it is generous and bountiful for whoever wishes to be a part of His family.
Some people only understand this on its surface -- they believe that saying they follow Jesus means they actually follow Him... wrong. To follow Jesus means to follow the advice He gives, which comes from God. If you follow the advice... so much light will light up your life. I would not, and could not say these things without personally receiving their truth in my life.
8:13 The Pharisees reject Jesus' statements. Be aware of why they reject Him: because they do not want to lose their power, status and wealth (obtained corruptly and challenged by His message). Yet, trying to be clever and subtle, they claim that Jesus cannot speak for Himself His truth.
In a daily-life perspective their deceptive claim might work, but only superficially. For example, if you know who you are, where you are from and what you believe in, you do not need someone else to speak it for you in order for it to be true. Sure, people may not believe what you say... but your actions speak for themselves (as a second witness). Likewise, everything Jesus said, He lived. The proof was in every moment of His life.
8:14 Jesus is teaching us about who He is and what He stands for. Although the truth of our relationship with God is revealed in a million moments of love, guidance and patience, our initial understanding of Him comes through Jesus (and, I believe, can come from other sources for different people). Right here anyway, in this verse, Jesus brings to us the nature of God: the embodiment of truth without exception. Whether these adversaries want to believe it or not, Jesus is speaking of His unwillingness to ever be or do anything except what is truth. We all get our opportunities to see His truth unfold (during or at the end of our lives on earth) and Jesus wants us to know that we can expect, trust and find comfort that from Him we are only given the truth.
The direct message at the end of this verse is toward the evil adversaries with whom He is conversing: they cannot exist in the spiritual truths and comforts because of their rejection of them. God's love is proffered to all but unless one reaches out and accepts it, they cannot obtain it. Because these adversaries are not reaching out (are not making any effort to understand because their ideologies are in opposition to it) they cannot logically have it, or be where Jesus is. It's not a punishment -- it's a choice.
8:15 Jesus did not come to the earth to judge and condemn. Quite contrarily, He came to the earth with patience and understanding. He is our living example -- accepting and perceptive. Jesus knew very well that each individual faces a series of challenges in their lives and that during them, mistakes are made and sometimes the lessons mistakes teach are ignored. He came to help, guide, support. He knew that the surface of what a person appeared to be, did not always (or even usually) reflect the core of their soul. Humans are flawed but Jesus taught us that flaws are also opportunities to be better, kinder, wiser than we were before. He dug deeply to uncover the true soul beneath the mess and chaos humans often get themselves into.
The wonder and beauty of God is evidenced in His passionate effort to retrieve the lost and broken. Jesus did not come collecting gems (metaphorically or otherwise); He came to find the oppressed, the crooked... and to realign them, lead them to the home of compassion and comfort.
Sometimes He met a person who, when presented with His alternate route, would reject it. But very, very often He met people who opened their minds and hearts to His message of compassion... and therefore, He saved so many from themselves and others (from the ways of life which bring us discontentment and frustration).
8:16 Jesus wants them (and us) to know that although He does not judge, He wants us to find comfort in the fact that God is omniscient. Nothing is hidden from Him; He understands each of the complexities of every person's thought and life. If ever there were a hand to be in, it would be His (full of compassion and understanding).
Exploring the word "Judgement" for a moment: It's instinctive and wise to discern the character of a thing, person and idea. In fact, it's imperative that you are able to observe and analyze. In this way, it's fair and wise to develop your own understanding. The trouble of judgement comes when we use our understanding (and remember it's always limited, we are not omniscient) to condemn others. The trouble comes when we hate or segregate others, labeling them "bad," when we have no understanding of them.
When God judges someone, it is without motive. God judgement is simply this: Him identifying us as we have presented ourselves during our lives. He does not determine if we are good or bad, or anything else... we determine the definition of our character by how we live, treat others, and make decisions.
Humans, however, tend to judge people with motive, and often we decide something is bad without considering all of the complex evidence. We therefore neglect sometimes to see the good in something we labelled incorrectly. Example: Racism. Groups of humans decide certain people are bad (a selfish motive) and unfairly judge (through that selfish motive) ignorant of the truth. This happens broadly, and individually: from racism in a country to bullying on a school bus.
Be happy that God's judgement is ENTIRELY different from humans'. God essentially allows us to judge ourselves... and then we walk to path we ourselves chose. His omniscience allows Him to be patience with us because it uncovers the reasoning behind the mistakes that we make (and sometimes we're guiltless).
Back to the verse: Jesus came as a manifestation of everything God embodies. That makes Him a vessel through which God's wisdom and truth can arrive.
8:17-18 Jesus is explaining that His witness (the witness who proclaims His truth) is God. They seek a second opinion and they definitely receive one. God surely is all around us, but until we open our minds to perceptive, spiritual thought, we miss His presence.
8:19 I love this verse for its depth: it would be useless for Jesus to explain where God is because these people refuse to believe in Him. Keep in mind that there is a difference between people who do not believe out of corrupt, selfish reasons and people who just, frankly, have a difficult time conceiving the idea.
Jesus explains that the people who receive His compassionate message are opened to the understanding of where and who God is... it does not need to be explained to them. God's magnitude, His spiritual presence is explained to them (and to you, you'll realize) subtlety yet skillfully and prominently.
How could they understand that God is everywhere? Within each breathe we take in, flowing through the veins of every leaf and rooted tree? Within the animated life of the planet and its surroundings. As you develop your relationship with God, you will understand more and more just how alive and present He really is. Aware, adept, vibrant in every moment.
8:20 His hour had not yet come: Every moment of Jesus' life was allowing and orchestrated by God in order to teach, heal, and guide as many people (through generations and geographical locations) as He could. God would allow Jesus' death because from it would come a great message. Therefore, Jesus was shielded by God and no person, hatred or strength could penetrate that protection until and unless God lifted it. (But we know Jesus remained protected by God even while allowed to be vulnerable to His adversaries). Likewise, we are protected by God. Nothing can triumph over us with Him as our guide and protector -- give Him permission (by way of giving Him your trust) to shield you.
When we do not trust God, He is patient and respectful of that -- without our permission, He will not intervene in our lives. That is not a punishment! He is respecting our freedom. When we do give our trust to God, He is eager and passionate and flawless in living up to it. He really does await our permission and He loves nothing more than shielding us, guiding us, loving us.
In a daily-life perspective their deceptive claim might work, but only superficially. For example, if you know who you are, where you are from and what you believe in, you do not need someone else to speak it for you in order for it to be true. Sure, people may not believe what you say... but your actions speak for themselves (as a second witness). Likewise, everything Jesus said, He lived. The proof was in every moment of His life.
8:14 Jesus is teaching us about who He is and what He stands for. Although the truth of our relationship with God is revealed in a million moments of love, guidance and patience, our initial understanding of Him comes through Jesus (and, I believe, can come from other sources for different people). Right here anyway, in this verse, Jesus brings to us the nature of God: the embodiment of truth without exception. Whether these adversaries want to believe it or not, Jesus is speaking of His unwillingness to ever be or do anything except what is truth. We all get our opportunities to see His truth unfold (during or at the end of our lives on earth) and Jesus wants us to know that we can expect, trust and find comfort that from Him we are only given the truth.
The direct message at the end of this verse is toward the evil adversaries with whom He is conversing: they cannot exist in the spiritual truths and comforts because of their rejection of them. God's love is proffered to all but unless one reaches out and accepts it, they cannot obtain it. Because these adversaries are not reaching out (are not making any effort to understand because their ideologies are in opposition to it) they cannot logically have it, or be where Jesus is. It's not a punishment -- it's a choice.
8:15 Jesus did not come to the earth to judge and condemn. Quite contrarily, He came to the earth with patience and understanding. He is our living example -- accepting and perceptive. Jesus knew very well that each individual faces a series of challenges in their lives and that during them, mistakes are made and sometimes the lessons mistakes teach are ignored. He came to help, guide, support. He knew that the surface of what a person appeared to be, did not always (or even usually) reflect the core of their soul. Humans are flawed but Jesus taught us that flaws are also opportunities to be better, kinder, wiser than we were before. He dug deeply to uncover the true soul beneath the mess and chaos humans often get themselves into.
The wonder and beauty of God is evidenced in His passionate effort to retrieve the lost and broken. Jesus did not come collecting gems (metaphorically or otherwise); He came to find the oppressed, the crooked... and to realign them, lead them to the home of compassion and comfort.
Sometimes He met a person who, when presented with His alternate route, would reject it. But very, very often He met people who opened their minds and hearts to His message of compassion... and therefore, He saved so many from themselves and others (from the ways of life which bring us discontentment and frustration).
8:16 Jesus wants them (and us) to know that although He does not judge, He wants us to find comfort in the fact that God is omniscient. Nothing is hidden from Him; He understands each of the complexities of every person's thought and life. If ever there were a hand to be in, it would be His (full of compassion and understanding).
Exploring the word "Judgement" for a moment: It's instinctive and wise to discern the character of a thing, person and idea. In fact, it's imperative that you are able to observe and analyze. In this way, it's fair and wise to develop your own understanding. The trouble of judgement comes when we use our understanding (and remember it's always limited, we are not omniscient) to condemn others. The trouble comes when we hate or segregate others, labeling them "bad," when we have no understanding of them.
When God judges someone, it is without motive. God judgement is simply this: Him identifying us as we have presented ourselves during our lives. He does not determine if we are good or bad, or anything else... we determine the definition of our character by how we live, treat others, and make decisions.
Humans, however, tend to judge people with motive, and often we decide something is bad without considering all of the complex evidence. We therefore neglect sometimes to see the good in something we labelled incorrectly. Example: Racism. Groups of humans decide certain people are bad (a selfish motive) and unfairly judge (through that selfish motive) ignorant of the truth. This happens broadly, and individually: from racism in a country to bullying on a school bus.
Be happy that God's judgement is ENTIRELY different from humans'. God essentially allows us to judge ourselves... and then we walk to path we ourselves chose. His omniscience allows Him to be patience with us because it uncovers the reasoning behind the mistakes that we make (and sometimes we're guiltless).
Back to the verse: Jesus came as a manifestation of everything God embodies. That makes Him a vessel through which God's wisdom and truth can arrive.
8:17-18 Jesus is explaining that His witness (the witness who proclaims His truth) is God. They seek a second opinion and they definitely receive one. God surely is all around us, but until we open our minds to perceptive, spiritual thought, we miss His presence.
8:19 I love this verse for its depth: it would be useless for Jesus to explain where God is because these people refuse to believe in Him. Keep in mind that there is a difference between people who do not believe out of corrupt, selfish reasons and people who just, frankly, have a difficult time conceiving the idea.
Jesus explains that the people who receive His compassionate message are opened to the understanding of where and who God is... it does not need to be explained to them. God's magnitude, His spiritual presence is explained to them (and to you, you'll realize) subtlety yet skillfully and prominently.
How could they understand that God is everywhere? Within each breathe we take in, flowing through the veins of every leaf and rooted tree? Within the animated life of the planet and its surroundings. As you develop your relationship with God, you will understand more and more just how alive and present He really is. Aware, adept, vibrant in every moment.
8:20 His hour had not yet come: Every moment of Jesus' life was allowing and orchestrated by God in order to teach, heal, and guide as many people (through generations and geographical locations) as He could. God would allow Jesus' death because from it would come a great message. Therefore, Jesus was shielded by God and no person, hatred or strength could penetrate that protection until and unless God lifted it. (But we know Jesus remained protected by God even while allowed to be vulnerable to His adversaries). Likewise, we are protected by God. Nothing can triumph over us with Him as our guide and protector -- give Him permission (by way of giving Him your trust) to shield you.
When we do not trust God, He is patient and respectful of that -- without our permission, He will not intervene in our lives. That is not a punishment! He is respecting our freedom. When we do give our trust to God, He is eager and passionate and flawless in living up to it. He really does await our permission and He loves nothing more than shielding us, guiding us, loving us.
8:21 Jesus predicts His return to God, to His spiritual life. Meanwhile, evil will construct its own death. Acts of greed and injustice are burdens which inevitably suffocate the unkind. Those who trade their lives for wealth and power will have done just that, traded their lives. Without a life, one cannot join Jesus, it's simply illogical.
8:22 These hardhearted men do not understand the metaphor, the message within Jesus' words. They do not understand that their accumulated unkindness will wither away their lives, making them unable to continue into the spiritual.
8:23 Above, Not of This World: These a symbols for the qualities God, Jesus and God's children embody and promote in the world. God's eternity does not exist in these societies we have build in the world. This world is corrupted in some ways as materialism and greed have nearly consumed it. Above is the spiritual, the light and warm of God placed prominently above all else because of it's purity and empathy.
Beneath, Of This World: To be proclaimed "of this world" is a metaphor for a person who values the materialistic greed which poisons the world. Beneath is symbolic of the powerlessness of that which is not born from above: man, soul or idea.
8:24 A person who will die of their sins is a person who becomes so consumed with evil, deception, greed, power and control that they lose sight of the value of life -- others' and their own. To disregard the life and well-being of another is to relinquish your own.
Their sins bring them to death, not necessarily out of punishment, but out of consequence. Evil works are of death and therefore workers of evil meet their master.
8:25-26 They are not listening. Jesus continues to tell them the same truth He has proclaimed from the beginning. Jesus came, a voice for the world, to teach of our creator. These men could have chosen to disagree with Jesus and simply move along. The reason they persisted and eventually killed Him is because of their love of money and power. Jesus' testimony threatened their control (Jesus taught people to be free and kind and wise) and they wanted Him dead for it.
8:22 These hardhearted men do not understand the metaphor, the message within Jesus' words. They do not understand that their accumulated unkindness will wither away their lives, making them unable to continue into the spiritual.
8:23 Above, Not of This World: These a symbols for the qualities God, Jesus and God's children embody and promote in the world. God's eternity does not exist in these societies we have build in the world. This world is corrupted in some ways as materialism and greed have nearly consumed it. Above is the spiritual, the light and warm of God placed prominently above all else because of it's purity and empathy.
Beneath, Of This World: To be proclaimed "of this world" is a metaphor for a person who values the materialistic greed which poisons the world. Beneath is symbolic of the powerlessness of that which is not born from above: man, soul or idea.
8:24 A person who will die of their sins is a person who becomes so consumed with evil, deception, greed, power and control that they lose sight of the value of life -- others' and their own. To disregard the life and well-being of another is to relinquish your own.
Their sins bring them to death, not necessarily out of punishment, but out of consequence. Evil works are of death and therefore workers of evil meet their master.
8:25-26 They are not listening. Jesus continues to tell them the same truth He has proclaimed from the beginning. Jesus came, a voice for the world, to teach of our creator. These men could have chosen to disagree with Jesus and simply move along. The reason they persisted and eventually killed Him is because of their love of money and power. Jesus' testimony threatened their control (Jesus taught people to be free and kind and wise) and they wanted Him dead for it.
8:27 They did not understand because they did not want to even try. These deep and informative metaphors are only available for understanding to anyone who seeks to learn from them.
8:28 Jesus explains that upon His death on the cross, God will make Jesus' truthful message known. After Jesus' death, Jesus returned to the earth in His spirit and revealed that His message was true: God gives life and light to the kind.
Sometimes when these more complex, spiritual contexts come up it becomes difficult to reconcile the seeming reality of our world and another, a spiritual world. If it's too deep, stick with the core concepts: God loves you. God is as involved in your life as you'll let Him be. The more perceptive you become, the more you work on your personal philosophy, the more apparent that truth will be.
8:29 Jesus draws strength and direction from the truth that God is always with Him. We also can draw strength and guidance from God. He loves us, He wants us to succeed in happiness and compassion and when we work with Him, we always achieve it.
8:30 To those who were listening, Jesus' message resonated. The words of an honest soul are comforting and guiding. These people heard a man (Jesus) speaking of kindness, justice, love, and life and they saw that He also exemplified those things... it enabled them to see His truth and believe.
8:31-32 Whoever listens to and agrees with the philosophy of God becomes His student. God's students double (triple, quadruple, etc.) as other things: teachers, friends, doctors,... God's children fill a great many positions in the world to bring and foster compassion.
Truth is made up of perceiving, observing, analyzing, understanding and wisdom. With those tools in your mind, truth will indeed set you free: truth will enable you to logically and triumphantly escape injustice. Those tools are given by God... if our head is thought of as a toolbox, He loads us with the exact equipment we need to build strong foundations for our minds and souls to live.
God's compassionate truth sets people free because it breaks the chains which hold people onto sadness, frustration, desire. He enables us to see and think clearly which results in our making better decisions but also in having the strength to stick with them.
Truth is made up of perceiving, observing, analyzing, understanding and wisdom. With those tools in your mind, truth will indeed set you free: truth will enable you to logically and triumphantly escape injustice. Those tools are given by God... if our head is thought of as a toolbox, He loads us with the exact equipment we need to build strong foundations for our minds and souls to live.
God's compassionate truth sets people free because it breaks the chains which hold people onto sadness, frustration, desire. He enables us to see and think clearly which results in our making better decisions but also in having the strength to stick with them.
8:37 In the Old Testament, Abraham was a great and faithful child of God. These men proclaimed their holiness because of their relation to Abraham... but Jesus explains that it is the philosophy of life we live that determines a place in God's family. Each person is individually responsible for what they do on earth -- and that's beautiful to people who are kind.
They seek to kill Jesus because His word of compassion has no place in their hearts -- they are not compassionate. No matter who or what we try to tie ourselves to, we are made up of only the decisions we, personally make.
8:38 Subtlety, Jesus explains that there are two fathers. The Father, of Jesus' is the creator and inspiration behind life and love. The father of these men (and of all the unkind) is the promoter of injustice and greed. Good and evil are not of the same family. Each person must choose which they would like to be a member of.
8:39 Although they passionately professed their relation to Abraham, Jesus explains that if they were indeed of Abraham (sharing his faith and kindness) they would do works of faith and kindness like Abraham did. With common sense, Jesus reveals the wide holes in their argument.
8:40 Certainly Abraham never rejected, threatened, or mocked God's philosophy (which Jesus was/is the embodiment of).
8:41-42 No matter how desperately they cling to their relation with Abraham, their evil works (the way they live their lives) identify them as members of evil and unkindness.
A message within this conversation is to always be able to identify a weak argument. Many people proclaim many things and we need to be able to discern truth from lies. These men claim to be one thing but only hypocritically -- the claim to be of kindness but how they live their lives is unkind.
Everything Jesus teaches He also lives. His truth is apparent because is compassionate in all moment. He is observant and wise. He is guided by God and the fulfillment of His tremendously complex purpose is evidence of that.
8:43 Jesus explains that a deceitful, selfish heart cannot understand compassion. Unfortunately, many of us know the truth of that statement. Jesus wants them (and us) to understand that those hateful kinds of souls are not members of God's family.
8:44 A bold and accurate character assessment by Jesus. The devil, Satan, the adversary... however you want to refer to him/it, is the embodiment of deceit and greed. People who promote those things are symbolically related to him. (Cain is subtlety referenced in this verse, a person from the Old Testament who killed his brother out of jealously and greed).
They seek to kill Jesus because His word of compassion has no place in their hearts -- they are not compassionate. No matter who or what we try to tie ourselves to, we are made up of only the decisions we, personally make.
8:38 Subtlety, Jesus explains that there are two fathers. The Father, of Jesus' is the creator and inspiration behind life and love. The father of these men (and of all the unkind) is the promoter of injustice and greed. Good and evil are not of the same family. Each person must choose which they would like to be a member of.
8:39 Although they passionately professed their relation to Abraham, Jesus explains that if they were indeed of Abraham (sharing his faith and kindness) they would do works of faith and kindness like Abraham did. With common sense, Jesus reveals the wide holes in their argument.
8:40 Certainly Abraham never rejected, threatened, or mocked God's philosophy (which Jesus was/is the embodiment of).
8:41-42 No matter how desperately they cling to their relation with Abraham, their evil works (the way they live their lives) identify them as members of evil and unkindness.
A message within this conversation is to always be able to identify a weak argument. Many people proclaim many things and we need to be able to discern truth from lies. These men claim to be one thing but only hypocritically -- the claim to be of kindness but how they live their lives is unkind.
Everything Jesus teaches He also lives. His truth is apparent because is compassionate in all moment. He is observant and wise. He is guided by God and the fulfillment of His tremendously complex purpose is evidence of that.
8:43 Jesus explains that a deceitful, selfish heart cannot understand compassion. Unfortunately, many of us know the truth of that statement. Jesus wants them (and us) to understand that those hateful kinds of souls are not members of God's family.
8:44 A bold and accurate character assessment by Jesus. The devil, Satan, the adversary... however you want to refer to him/it, is the embodiment of deceit and greed. People who promote those things are symbolically related to him. (Cain is subtlety referenced in this verse, a person from the Old Testament who killed his brother out of jealously and greed).
8:45-46 All of this commotion around Jesus and they have no sin to accuse Him of. Jesus was constantly kind, productive, humble... healing people's minds and hearts and bodies. These men do not want to accept the truth of Jesus' words because it condemns them and highlights their poor character.
8:47 I love this verse for it's truth and simplicity: He who is of God hears God's words... children of God are able to identify His presence in their lives -- develop your faith and relationship with Him, it's beautiful and eternal.
8:48-8:49 Jesus' adversaries try to label him as being ill or deranged. Their attempts to discredit Him will not work -- people are observing the truth and clarity of His words. Jesus' full respect and devotion is toward God and He exemplifies that in His life and interactions with others.
8:50 Those who dishonor the message of Jesus dishonor God because the message is compassion and to go against compassion is evil.
8:51 God's family is eternal; nothing can thwart God's river of lighted love. The spirit is resilient.
8:52-53 This proclamation of eternal life is not comprehended by them. Life after death is not a concept they (even try to) understand. Even people today believe that death is final... but children of God understand that death is only final for the evil. Life experience on earth allows each soul (human) to decide which family they belong to... light lives forever and dark is extinguished.
My personal belief is that our minds, bodies, souls, planet... is far too beautiful and complex, scientifically extraordinary to be accidental or final. I see God's eternal, resilient creation everywhere I look. After all, how would I even have eyes to see with without Him?
8:54 Humility. Everything Jesus is and promotes is of God and is done selflessly. He wants no glory for Himself, He wishes solely to bring love and comfort to people who are kind and in need of it.
8:55 It's very easily to identify a person who holds God's philosophy in their heart. Kindness is revealing of a person's character. Likewise, unkindness reveals a person's character. Jesus' actions speak of His truth, His familiarity with God.
(Also: Am I the only one who loves the sense of humor in this verse?)
8:56 Maybe it's just my own sense of humor that is tickled in this verse but -- how wonderful is it that Jesus speaks of the eternal, spiritual place of God, of Abraham being alive and also of Abraham's support and love of Jesus and His mission all at once (despite these adversaries denials and rejections)? So wonderful.
It's like He's saying "Not only is Abraham alive... but also he wants nothing to do with your evil acts and is in fact a big supporter of mine." These evil men march around proclaiming their ties to Abraham, thinking they can get away with lies because they do not believe Abraham exists any longer.
Or, "I just got off the God-phone with Abraham and he actually requests you stop comparing yourselves to him..." Okay, now I'm running with it but you get the point. Children of God are alive and well. Jesus is very familiar with Abraham because God's family is informed and close-knit. We are each loved deeply and individually by Jesus and God -- our specific, particular selves are entirely known and loved by them.
8:57 They truly refuse to contemplate the idea of the eternal spirit.
8:58 Beautiful verse. Comforting. Before anything, anyone... was God. God always is. His name translates to I AM, because He IS, always. Long before the frivolity humans got themselves entangled in... God was here, The Creator of the universe... the sun, each atom and particle that makes up these things. Jesus brings the message home, neatly and boldly. These men hypocritically worship Abraham, but even the great Abraham is a human soul, made by God... a tiny part of everything that is God. Not only does God know Abraham... he created him. As a manifestation of all that God is, Jesus knows and has fostered his life as well.
All of the joking and back-and-forth of the conversation is brought home -- God's mighty, eternal presence is proclaimed.
8:59 Symbolically, Jesus is not vulnerable to their anger and evil. Jesus is fulfilling a humble, compassionate purpose and their anger cannot entrap Him unless and until God allows it for a reason.
8:50 Those who dishonor the message of Jesus dishonor God because the message is compassion and to go against compassion is evil.
8:51 God's family is eternal; nothing can thwart God's river of lighted love. The spirit is resilient.
8:52-53 This proclamation of eternal life is not comprehended by them. Life after death is not a concept they (even try to) understand. Even people today believe that death is final... but children of God understand that death is only final for the evil. Life experience on earth allows each soul (human) to decide which family they belong to... light lives forever and dark is extinguished.
My personal belief is that our minds, bodies, souls, planet... is far too beautiful and complex, scientifically extraordinary to be accidental or final. I see God's eternal, resilient creation everywhere I look. After all, how would I even have eyes to see with without Him?
8:54 Humility. Everything Jesus is and promotes is of God and is done selflessly. He wants no glory for Himself, He wishes solely to bring love and comfort to people who are kind and in need of it.
8:55 It's very easily to identify a person who holds God's philosophy in their heart. Kindness is revealing of a person's character. Likewise, unkindness reveals a person's character. Jesus' actions speak of His truth, His familiarity with God.
(Also: Am I the only one who loves the sense of humor in this verse?)
8:56 Maybe it's just my own sense of humor that is tickled in this verse but -- how wonderful is it that Jesus speaks of the eternal, spiritual place of God, of Abraham being alive and also of Abraham's support and love of Jesus and His mission all at once (despite these adversaries denials and rejections)? So wonderful.
It's like He's saying "Not only is Abraham alive... but also he wants nothing to do with your evil acts and is in fact a big supporter of mine." These evil men march around proclaiming their ties to Abraham, thinking they can get away with lies because they do not believe Abraham exists any longer.
Or, "I just got off the God-phone with Abraham and he actually requests you stop comparing yourselves to him..." Okay, now I'm running with it but you get the point. Children of God are alive and well. Jesus is very familiar with Abraham because God's family is informed and close-knit. We are each loved deeply and individually by Jesus and God -- our specific, particular selves are entirely known and loved by them.
8:57 They truly refuse to contemplate the idea of the eternal spirit.
8:58 Beautiful verse. Comforting. Before anything, anyone... was God. God always is. His name translates to I AM, because He IS, always. Long before the frivolity humans got themselves entangled in... God was here, The Creator of the universe... the sun, each atom and particle that makes up these things. Jesus brings the message home, neatly and boldly. These men hypocritically worship Abraham, but even the great Abraham is a human soul, made by God... a tiny part of everything that is God. Not only does God know Abraham... he created him. As a manifestation of all that God is, Jesus knows and has fostered his life as well.
All of the joking and back-and-forth of the conversation is brought home -- God's mighty, eternal presence is proclaimed.
8:59 Symbolically, Jesus is not vulnerable to their anger and evil. Jesus is fulfilling a humble, compassionate purpose and their anger cannot entrap Him unless and until God allows it for a reason.
