(1) 8:49 Jesus answered, “I am not possessed by a demon, but I honor my Father—and yet you dishonor me. 8:50 I am not trying to get praise for myself. There is one who demands it, and he also judges.
Jesus' teaching received the biggest insult when the Son of God was considered as someone possessed by a demon.
(BKC) When accused, Jesus did not seek to justify Himself (cf. John 8:54). He committed His case to the heavenly Judge, knowing that even if people judge the Son falsely, the Father will reverse their verdict and vindicate Him.
Reflection: How about you? When people do not honor you, or they dishonor you, what is your reaction? Are you able to give it up to God and to let Him be your judge. People can do whatever they want to us. We will be ok as long as God will honor us and judge for us. Can we?
(2) v.51 I tell you the solemn truth, if anyone obeys my teaching, he will never see death
The Judeans challenged Jesus why His teaching could be that powerful that people will never see death if they obey His teaching.
8:55b But I do know him, and I obey his teaching
Jesus' teaching was the Father's teaching. They were supposed to recognize that because they calm God is their Father v.54b. "The one who glorifies me is my Father, about whom you people say, ‘He is our God.’"
It is like a triangle, God the Father is in the middle. The true believers of the Father are on the bottom left. Jesus is on the bottom right. If the believers knew the Father they should know Jesus and they could recognize Jesus' teaching.
Reflection: The reaction of the Judeans at the end was trying to stone Jesus to death. We, as Jesus' followers, may experience something similar when people do not accept us. We should have no surprise because this is how the unsaved treat the saved.
In addition, for the true believers, they are supposed to have a sense of recognition of truth. As long as we minister people with the Word of God, the truth, and the teaching of Jesus the true believers will follow. There is no use to give pressure and there is no reason to feel disappointed when people do not follow your ministry to them.
Audrey
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