John 8:48-59

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Jesus, Giver of Immortal Life

People from History has been searching for the cure to the problem called death. People in the past has been formulating what we call “the elixir of life” or “elixir of immortality” to renew the youthfulness, prolong life and possibly reverse aging and death.

Interestingly, In 9th Century, the Chinese monks created a mixture of different materials to hopefully come up with the life extending elixir of life. Instead, they were able to create the first gun powder. Ironically, it is now used in killing.

Here in our passage, Jesus laid down the secret in achieving immortal life.

Key passage: John 8:51 “51 “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he will never see death.””

Of course, the people did not immediately believe Him.

Here in our passage, John 8:48-59, they accused Jesus of being an untrustworthy Samaritan, and Demon possessed because they can’t accept the teachings of Jesus, and they tried stoning Jesus to kill Him, but he got away because it was not yet His time.

No matter how good you are, there will be people who will hate you and will malign you. That is the reality of the world we are living in. Jesus himself have experienced being hated and maligned by evil people.

Jesus was hated for telling the the truth, even now You will be hated for telling the truth.

I. There are those who will try to destroy the character and testimony of Jesus

At the beginning of John 8 (1-11), we read that the enemies of Jesus tried to discredit Jesus by putting him in a difficult situation – to judge whether to stone or not stone the woman caught in adultery.

In John 8:12-30, they did not accept Jesus’s testimony that He is from above, sent by the Heavenly Father.

In John 8:31-47, they wanted to kill Jesus for speaking the truth – that they were enslaved to sin and were acting like the devil, the father of lies.

False Claims: Unbelief

Jesus was a Samaritan and demon-possessed (v.48, v.52)

Jesus is not God and is not greater than Abraham (vv.57-58)

This hatred is targeted to the followers of Jesus.

So do not be surprised if people will hate you for following Jesus. It just means that you are doing a good job. On the one hand if the world (evil) will love you, then it would mean that you do not belong to Christ.

II. But in all of these attacks against Jesus, Jesus showed grace and truth to them.

Truth Claims by Jesus: Invitation to believe

I don’t have demons. (v.49) - contrast - they have demons and it is evident in their actions.

I honor the Father and I don’t seek my glory (v.49) - contrast - they dishonor God with their behavior and they seek their own glory.

I give eternal life to those who keep my word (v.51) - contrast - those who do not keep Jesus’s words will die.

I know the Father and I kept His word (whom you call God) (v.54) - contrast - they don’t know the Father.

I am greater and older than Abraham (v.58) - contrast - Abraham is younger than Jesus and he rejoiced when he saw the pre-incarnate Jesus (The angel of the Lord - Theopany - the visible manifestation of God)

The Gospel:

Jesus extends the invitation to receive immortal life even to those who malign and attack him (v.51)

Jesus knew that their sins blinded them, and they were under the influence of the devil.

They could not accept the truth because their sins had spiritually blinded them. (chapter 9 talks about blindness).

And only Jesus can make them see (spiritually) and set them free from the lies of the enemy.

Grace for sinners to receive immortality (v.51)

A. The character of a believer

If anyone keeps My Word - A follower of Jesus is the one who keeps/obeys His Word

Keep / Obey = to guard, preserving to the end

= acceptance to the Revelations of Jesus as the Messiah (faith that results in obedience)

The Words of Jesus is not just to be received, but keep, not only to have, but hold.

Obedience is reqJesus kept the commandment - He obeyed the Father (v.55)

His followers (disciples) must obey too (cf. v.31)

Keeping or Obeying is closely related to FAITH.

2 Timothy 4:7 “7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;”

Illustration:

The Pharisees, know the Bible fully well, but they don’t obey what is written in it.

"My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice" (Ezekiel 33:31, NIV).

James 1:22 (NASB95)

22But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

Reflection:

Unfortunately, many want to go to heaven, but they don’t want to go to Jesus because they don’t want to obey His commands.

It’s like going to the moon without a vehicle (space rocket) – It’s impossible.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life! (John 14:6)

Application:

Believe and guard the commands of Jesus close to your heart.

Be a doer, not just a hearer.

B. The Privilege of a believer

He will never taste of death - Jesus is talking about spiritual death, not physical death.

The Work of Jesus is to give eternal life to those who believe in Him

Romans 6:23 “23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Salvation is not a reward for the righteous but a gift for the sinner.

Application:

Don’t waste your time for this world, prepare for eternity by practicing the things you will do in the new heaven and new earth.

III. Jesus is God and He will do what He promised.

Yes He can give immortal life because He is the great I AM (v.58)

I Am is a title of Deity (cf. Ex. 3:14; Isa. 41:4;

- Jesus, because of His equality with God.

Philippians 2:6 “6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,”

Colossians 2:9 “9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,”

- the Jews responded in anger and readiness to stone him (v. 59) It showed that they understood it that way.

John 10:30–33“30 “I and the Father are one.” 31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. 32 Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?” 33 The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.””

Application:

1. Do not deny the deity of Jesus - Denying the deity of Jesus is denying the authenticity of the Scriptures and God.

Illustration:

One of the most inspiring examples of courage in the history of the church was the martyrdom of Polycarp, who was burned at the stake for his faith. The aged Polycarp had been arrested by the Roman authorities and brought to the arena for execution in front of the cheering crowd. The proconsul pressed him hard and said, “Swear, and I will release you. Revile Christ.” Polycarp replied, “Eighty and six years have I served him, and he never did me wrong; and how can I now blaspheme my King that has saved me?” (Cited in Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, chapter 15.)964

Michael P. Green, 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000), 261–262.

Conclusion:

Like Polycarp, Keep the faith even if it means physical death. For we have assurance of eternal life in Christ.

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