Anyone on God’s side listens to God’s words. – John 8
As we see from the photos above, most people’s view of words comes in the form of books and teachers. We teach our children at a young age the importance of listening to what their teacher’s say. We also stress the importance of reading books. In fact; in Jesus time, it was very similar. It was the words of God and the scholars teaching those words that were viewed as the people that should be listened to. The words to take to heart.
Then Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him. “If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.”
…Jesus said, “I tell you most solemnly that anyone who chooses a life of sin is trapped in a dead-end life and is, in fact, a slave. A Slave is a transient, who can’t come and go at will. The Son, though, has an established position, the run of the house. So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through.
I was in sixth grade and in choir class. I had recently switched schools because we had moved. It was new peers and new teachers to acclimate to. I remember sitting in desks and the teacher was going around listening to each of us sing a particular part of a song. When it was my turn, the teacher listened and then she told me I needed to enunciate the letters in my words when I sing. By enunciating, people could hear the words I sang.
I am not a singer. But for whatever reason those words have stuck with me. To this day I still hear those words when I’m singing at church or in the car and I make sure to enunciate clearly and precisely. I listened to the words of that elementary school choir teacher and let them become a part of my life.
“If God were your father,” said Jesus, “you would love me, for I came from God and arrived here. I didn’t come on my own. He sent me. Why can’t you understand one word I say? Here’s why: You can’t handle it. You’re from your father, the Devil, and all you want to do is please him. He was a killer from the very start. He couldn’t stand the truth because there wasn’t a shred of truth in him. When the Liar speaks, he makes it up out of his lying nature and fills the world with lies. I arrive on the scene, tell you the plain truth, and you refuse to have a thing to do with me. Can any one of you convict me of a single misleading word, a single sinful act? But if I’m telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? Anyone on God’s side listens to God’s words. This is why you’re not listening – because you’re not on God’s side.”
That is exactly what Jesus wanted from his followers. He wanted them to hear his words, to understand them, and to follow them. To be on the side of God. To listen and act with truth. I know that I want to treat Jesus like my choir teacher. I want his words to penetrate into my heart and become an extension of myself. What do you want to do with his words?
STUDY – John 8 (If the Son Sets You Free) – The Message Bible
Then Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him. “If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.”
Surprised, they said, “But we’re descendants of Abraham. We’ve never been slaves to anyone. How can you say, ‘The truth will free you’?”
Jesus said, “I tell you most solemnly that anyone who chooses a life of sin is trapped in a dead-end life and is, in fact, a slave. A slave is a transient, who can’t come and go at will. The Son, though, has an established position, the run of the house. So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through. I know you are Abraham’s descendants. But I also know that you are trying to kill me because my message hasn’t yet penetrated your thick skulls. I’m talking about things I have seen while keeping company with the Father, and you just go on doing what you have heard from your father.”
They were indignant. “Our father is Abraham!”
Jesus said, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would have been doing the things Abraham did. And yet here you are trying to kill me, a man who has spoken to you the truth he got straight from God! Abraham never did that sort of thing. You persist in repeating the works of your father.”
They said, “We’re not bastards. We have a legitimate father: the one and only God.”
“If God were your father,” said Jesus, “you would love me, for I came from God and arrived here. I didn’t come on my own. He sent me. Why can’t you understand one word I say? Here’s why: You can’t handle it. You’re from your father, the Devil, and all you want to do is please him. He was a killer from the very start. He couldn’t stand the truth because there wasn’t a shred of truth in him. When the Liar speaks, he makes it up out of his lying nature and fills the world with lies. I arrive on the scene, tell you the plain truth, and you refuse to have at thing to do with me. Can any one of you convict me of a single misleading word, a single sinful act? But if I’m telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? Anyone on God’s side listens to God’s words. This is why you’re not listening – because you’re not on God’s side.”
Simply. Honestly. Emily. 