Sermon Tone Analysis

Recap...

Chapter 8 so far...

What have we learned about the Jews?

What has our study taught us about Christ?

“I know you are, but what am I?”

“You are a Samaritan”

You’re a heretic AND we aren’t sure where you come from.

The relationship between Jews and Samaritans, which was rocky during the Persian period, grew more hostile during the Hellenistic era.

Sirach (late third century) records the earliest evidence for Jewish hostility toward the Samaritans, stating that “the foolish people who live in Shechem are “not even a people” (Sirach 50:25–26).

Both Samaritans and Jews were affected by the persecutions of Antiochus IV; however, 2 Maccabees and Josephus provide different interpretations of the Samaritans’ reaction.

According to 2 Macc 6:2, Antiochus IV forced the Samaritans to dedicate their sanctuary to Zeus Xenios; in contrast, Josephus claims that the Samaritans did this willingly.

The Samaritans’ religious practices were similar to the Jews with a few major exceptions—mainly, the Samaritans thought of Mount Gerizim, not Jerusalem, as the proper place of worship.

The Samaritans, like the Sadducees, were more “conservative” than other Jews in that they the rejected the authority of the prophets and writings, and relied exclusively on their edition of the Pentateuch (Samaritan Pentateuch).

The Samaritans also did not celebrate Purim or Hanukkah.

A primary difference between Samaritans and Jews is that they believed that Yahweh should be worshiped in Shechem rather than Jerusalem.

Jesus’ encounter with a Samaritan woman in the Gospel of John highlights this difference (John 4:20–21).

Look back to verse 39:

“AND you have a demon”

They are kind of saying, “you’re crazy!”

What else do you see here?

The Truth Comes Out

“I have no demon”

Notice that He doesn’t even answer the first insult.

Have you ever been in a verbal confrontation with someone else and afterward said to yourself, “oh, I should have said this or that!”

Notice how Jesus didn’t even acknowledge the first insult.

Wouldn’t we do well to leave the ridiculous alone and respond to that which matters?

What does Jesus do right here by answering the “you have a demon” accusation?

In what ways was Jesus honored during His time on earth?

Listen to how Jesus lovingly, after they’ve insulted Him, shares how He is the Good News and that salvation comes alone through Him:

Turn to and read this silently.

Friends, do you believe this?

If no, I want to encourage you today to repent of your sins and turn to Christ and live.

If you say yes, ask yourself these two questions:

When others look at our lives would they agree with what they know about us?

In the quietness of our homes and through interacting with those most dear to us, would this still remain true?

“I know you are but what am I infinity!!”

All of the prominent prophets are dead!!

Look at verse 53 and see that they simply don’t get it.

Not only do they not get it, but they are implying He is guilty of blasphemy.

Remember

Later on they are very specific about the blasphemy charge.

The Bomb is Dropped

Jn 8:

A. T. Robertson says of verse 54, “Actually, my Father is the one...”

Verse 55, He is telling them that they have not “experienced” the Father.

They truly do not know Him.

It is Jesus who in fact truly knows the Father.

Jn

Jn 8:

it means: you have not even indirectly made His acquaintance, but I have made His acquaintance directly; I. have looked at Him and know Him by intention.

Notice the word, “rejoiced” in verse 56:

Abraham’s belief in the coming promise was the cause of His joy.