John 7 - 9

Your Father, The Devil

Today's reading contains many claims by Jesus to be the One sent of the Father, the I AM of His day. The religious leaders, the Pharisees, and Sadducees could not accept that Jesus was from God.  In spite of the miracles He performed and His knowledge of the Law, and His ability to teach in the synagogue, the leaders would not accept Him as the Messiah.

In chapter 8, the leaders press Jesus to identify the source of His power.  He continually refers to the Father and the the Old Testament promises that He would come in their day.  In verse 33, they claim their lineage from Abraham.  Jesus explains that they cannot be from Abraham because Abraham prophesied that one like Jesus would come (Gen 22:17-18).  Next they claimed Abraham as their father, but once again Jesus rebukes them for trying to kill Him - proving that Abraham was not their father.

In verse 41, the leaders claim the God Himself is their father.  This statement is outrageous in Jesus' thinking.  How can they be from the Father and hate Him who is also from the Father?  The answer is obvious, they have the Devil as their father. This ties back to Genesis 3 when the devil entered the serpent and had sexual relations with Eve producing Cain.

Jesus clearly identifies the hypocritical leaders with Cain (v. 44).  Cain was a murderer and they are murderers (v. 44).  Cain hated the truth refusing to offer a proper sacrifice and these leaders hate the truth (v. 44).  Cain was a liar not owning up to the murder of righteous Abel and these are liars (v. 44).  Cain did not accept the offer of repentance from God and neither do the leaders (v. 47).  At this, they are so flustered they resort to racism calling Jesus a Samaritan devil (v. 48).

In the same way John presents Jesus as the Divine One, the I AM and the Messiah, He also identifies the religious spirit that rails against the truth of God's Word and substitutes man-made traditions. Lord help us to believe Your Word and obey Your Will.