John
8:23-30 (NIV) 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 [the one I claim to be], you will
indeed die in your sins."
25
"Who are you?" they asked.
"Just
what I have been claiming all along," Jesus replied. 26 "I have much
to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is reliable, 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 [the
one I claim to be] 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 put their faith in him.
NOTE: Verse 24 is
very close to God's reply to Moses' question about God's name, "I am."
And Jesus points to the crucifixion and his coming resurrection as future proof
of his claims. Jesus says that he is from above, distinctly different from the
audience who are from below. He is not of the world, they are of the world. And
if they are not willing to believe that fact, they will die in their sins.
Again, these are not the words of a good teacher, nor are they the words of
just a prophet, because they are personal (concerning himself) and direct. As a
result many do understand and many put their faith in him. Today, people do not
like to admit Jesus' claim to be God's one and only son. Even passages like
this are used since they are not as direct as mockers demand. But there was
little doubting his claims among the Jews, for he was killed for this very
reason, claiming to be equal to God (see John 19:7 and Matt 26:63-66).
Ultimately, every person must come to terms with the claims of Christ. Will I
believe? Or will I cling to some falsehood as my excuse for not believing,
thinking that I am so intelligent as not needing a savior?
John
19:7 (NIV) The Jews insisted, "We have a law, and according to that law he
must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God."
Matt
26:63b-66 (NIV) … The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by
the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God."
64
"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of
you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the
Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
65 Then
the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why
do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What
do you think?"
"He
is worthy of death," they answered.
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