God's Gospel Truths
John 8:21-30
Dispute Over Who Jesus Is
21 Once more Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come.”
22 This made the Jews ask, “Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, ‘Where I go, you cannot come’?”
23 But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.”
25 “Who are you?” they asked.
“Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied. 26 “I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is trustworthy, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.”
27 They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. 28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. 29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” 30 Even as he spoke, many believed in him.
Pondering Point
Following Jesus’ path includes taking Him at His Word, believing that what He says comes from God and is truth to be acknowledged. Some believe and teach that there are many paths to God, but Jesus is not one of these teachers. Nor should you be.
Read Acts 4:12 and see how Jesus’ first disciples handled this question of paths to God.
Acts 4:12
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Prayer for the Day
Jesus, You are the Truth, and One full of truth. Lead me to know this truth, to handle it well and to share it with kindness and gentleness. Amen.
Notice, Jesus came out of the wilderness with all sorts of clarity about his identity and calling. He was grounded. Centered. In touch with God and himself. From that place of emotional equilibrium and spiritual succor, he knew precisely what to say yes to and, just as importantly, what to say no to. Hence: as the gospels go on, you quickly realize the quiet place was top priority for Jesus.
~ J.M. Comer, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, pp. 126, 127