JOHN 8

WHOEVER KNOWS JESUS, KNOWS GOD

When Jesus is teaching at the temple, a woman who was caught in adultery is brought to the temple by the Pharisees. Testing Jesus to see if He would follow the law, they ask if the woman should be stoned. Jesus, showing compassion on the woman and displaying His authority, states that whoever is without sin should cast the first stone. Knowing they had all fallen short and broken the law, the people leave and do not stone the woman. Jesus, the only one qualified to stone the woman, does not condemn her. He lets the woman live, but challenges her to sin no more.

Jesus boldly declares that He is the light of the world, promising that whoever follows Him would never walk in darkness, but would have the light of life. The Pharisees question Jesus, but He responds confidently, saying that God has sent Him and affirms His testimony. He tells the Pharisees that they cannot know God without knowing Him.

Jesus encourages the Jewish people who believe Him, explaining that abiding in the word of Jesus will make them disciples. Once they know the truth, the truth will set them free. The Jewish people respond, remembering their history from Abraham and the oppression of the Hebrew people. Because they are no longer enslaved, how can they be set free? Jesus explains that everyone who lives in sin is a slave to sin, but whoever trusts in Him to cover their sins will become forever free.

Jesus questions the Jewish people and tells them that if they are really the sons of Abraham, they would follow in Abraham’s righteousness. He protests their belief of the truth, claiming that they believe lies over the truth. Because they are rejecting the words of Jesus, they are rejecting the words of God.

Jesus tells of His promise for eternal life, claiming that whoever keeps His word will never see death. Confused by His teaching, the people question Jesus, referencing the death of Abraham and the prophets. Jesus explains that He was present before Abraham. Similar to God’s description of Himself to Moses in Exodus 3, Jesus calls Himself “I am,” noting His eternal existence. The people reject this message, finding it blasphemous and offensive, and throw rocks at Him.