Who Are you?

In yesterday’s reading, Jesus clearly stated “I am with you for only a short time, and then I am going to the one who sent me . . .” John 7:33

Today he repeats himself with some additional, forceful words:

“I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come” John 8:21

He also said,

“You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.” John 8:23

This sparked quite a discussion between Jesus and many of the Jews who were following him. They asked him a fundamental question:

“Who are you?” John 8:25

People didn’t always understand what Jesus was talking about when he spoke about his relationship with his heavenly Father:

“He who sent me is trustworthy, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.” John 8:26

But Jesus persisted in this dialogue, and eventually some of those present began to believe that he was indeed who he claimed to be – the Son of God. Look at how Jesus communicated with his puzzled listeners:

“When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” John 8:28-29

“Even as he spoke, many believed in him.” John 8:30

Children of Abraham

While some in the crowd believed, others were incredulous and felt threatened by some of Jesus’ claims. He observed,

“’I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you heard from your father.’

‘Abraham is our father,’ they answered.

‘If you were Abraham’s children,’ said Jesus, ‘then you would do what Abraham did. As it is you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things.’” John 8:37-40

Jesus said to them,

“If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me.” John 8:42

Children of the Devil

The tension around this debate grew when Jesus stated:

“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires . . . when he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” John 8:44-47

The Jews answered him,

“Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?” John 8:48

Jesus stated that he was not seeking glory for himself. It was his heavenly Father who deserved glory and the Father is the ultimate judge of all men.

“I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge.” John 8:49-50

Jesus, the Great I Am

Jesus claimed that Abraham knew of him and honored him. It was no surprise that this claim triggered an angry response.

“Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?” John 8:52-53

Some of those present are ready to stone Jesus for what they considered his blasphemous statements, but he didn’t back down.

“’You are not yet fifty years old,’ they said to him, ‘and you have seen Abraham!’

‘Very truly I tell you,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am!’

At this they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.” John 8:57-59

Jesus got the last word, but his life was definitely in danger now.

Jesus Sends 72 Followers On a Mission

He appointed 72 followers and sent them out two by two to the towns he planned to visit next. He told them:

“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.” Luke 10:2-3

The 72 were encouraged to find a peaceful, welcoming household, that would provide a place to stay along with food and drink. Jesus also instructed them to,

“Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’” Luke 10:9

If there was no welcome, they were to leave the town and say,

“Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you . . . I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.” Luke 10:11-12

When they returned and reported back to Jesus, they said “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” Luke 10:17

Jesus replied, “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20

The Holy Spirit filled Jesus and he prayed to his heavenly Father with a heart full of praise. Then he told the disciples they were seeing things that Old Testament prophets and kings longed to see, but never did.

What Must I do?

An expert lawyer asked Jesus “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”  Jesus asked him how he read the Law.

The expert recited it accurately:

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all of your soul and with all of your strength and with all your mind; and, love your neighbor as yourself.’

‘Do this and you will live’ Jesus replied.

But he wanted to justify himself so he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’” Luke 10:27-29

Then Jesus told the familiar story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-35).

As he concluded, Jesus questioned the lawyer, asking which of the three—the priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan—acted as a true neighbor.

“The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’

Jesus told him, ‘Go and do likewise.’” Luke 10:37

Jesus visits Mary and Martha

Two sisters, Mary and Martha opened their village home to Jesus. One sat at his feet, while the other bustled around preparing a meal for their unexpected guests. Martha, the busy one, complained:

“Lord don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” Luke 10:40

“‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’” Luke 10:41

Modeling the Practice of Prayer

A curious and observant disciple noticed Jesus was praying one day. So he asked Jesus to teach the disciples how to pray, just as John the Baptist taught his disciples.

Jesus’ reply is known around the world as “The Lord’s Prayer.” Set aside some time to review it phrase by phrase, and to pray each phrase slowly and meditatively.

Think about Mary’s attitude towards Jesus, and incorporate something of her spirit into the moments you spend praying through the Lord’s Prayer.

Luke expands Jesus’ lesson on prayer with the story of the man who goes to a friend at midnight to ask for bread to give to an unexpected late-night guest. His conclusion:

“‘So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.’” Luke 11:9

Finally, we finish with another vivid word picture from Luke’s scroll:

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg will give him a scorpion. If you then though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” Luke 11:11-13

Guest Post by Bern Thompson