Sermon - Judica 2023 - John 8:42-59

All Saints, in the church of All Saints in Přeskače.

Jesus’ word gives life

1. The words of this world are devilish lies

1. Even if these words are rational

2. These words bring death

2. Jesus’ word is truth from the Father

1. The one who believes Jesus’ word is born of God

2. Those who keep the Word shall never see death

It’s a common assumption that Christianity is a nice religion which never says anything harsh, but that’s clearly not true, because Jesus isn’t very nice. “Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but He sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear My word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires… Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” Jesus just called these Pharisees children of the devil, which isn’t particularly the nicest thing you could say, but it is clear. Jesus’ word is God’s word, and their words contradict His, therefore their words are from the father of lies, the devil. The devil’s lies murder, but Jesus’ word gives life.

We must not mince our words: worldly teachings which contradict God’s word are devilish lies, the teachings of demons. This doesn’t mean everything the world says is satanic though. God is the Creator of all things, which means that you can study this creation, learn good things, and speak the truth, even if you’re not a Christian. So Christians have for centuries read Plato and Aristotle, not believing everything they say since they were pagans, but realizing that they did say some things in a helpful way. Similarly, I might find a good recipe from an unbeliever, and I’d use it! These things don’t contradict God’s Word, these pagans have merely discovered something true in this creation.

However, we need to be discerning. Plato might say many wise things, but he wasn’t a Christian, so he must be read with discernment. Similarly, we need to be discerning with all worldly wisdom, especially because the devil is a liar, and a convincing lie is going to contain many elements of truth mixed in with the lie. The devil is often rational and makes believable and attractive arguments. We see the Pharisees do this with Jesus: “The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?”” This is a very rational argument. Abraham, the patriarch of the Jews, kept God’s word, yet he died. Therefore, what Jesus said must be false or He is making Himself God. Since they didn’t believe He was God, they believed He was blaspheming, and that this was the work of the devil.

This is all very rational, but it’s premised on two assumptions: that Jesus isn’t God, and that Jesus was speaking about temporal death. Only with faith in Jesus as the Son of God does what Jesus says make any sense. Jesus said: “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” This is absolutely the truth, it is not a lie, but this truth can only be grasped with faith. Human reason obviously observes that Christians die and are buried; well human reason is wrong in this case, it’s a lie from the devil! Because with faith in Jesus as God we understand that we have eternal life, and that when we die our soul goes to heaven with God (not dead), and after the resurrection our bodies shall be raised imperishable and reunited with our soul and we will live forever in paradise (not dead). 

Nevertheless, the children of the devil, those deceived by satan and living under his delusion, believe that Christians are irrational idiots, bigots, and dangerous religious zealots. The Jews called Jesus a Samaritan with a demon. Calling Jesus a Samaritan was a serious cultural offense and carried great weight. It would be today’s equivalent of calling Him a Nazi or a racist, it was like playing the Hitler card: “that sounds like something Hitler would say.” It’s an ad hominem attack, a logical fallacy, in which you attack the person instead of the argument, which is why Jesus doesn’t even respond to their accusation. He simply says that they dishonor Him, and thus dishonor the Father. So it is dear Christians when you are dishonored by the world for your Christian beliefs, not only are you dishonored, but so is Christ and the Father. Don’t seek your own glory, only seek to speak the truth, like Jesus.

The reason Jesus even bothered to continue speaking with these Jews who mocked Him was because He knew that their unbelief was eternally dangerous. Only Jesus has the words of eternal life, no one else. Thus, these devilish lies which the Jews believed were eternally damning. The devil is a murderer, and he seeks to kill the body and the soul with his wicked lies. So Jesus counters their lies with the truth of the Gospel, because it’s their only hope. Jesus’ harsh words of truth are spoken in love for those who ridicule Him. We speak for the same reason: because we love those who are deceived by the devil, and we long for them to be children of the heavenly Father instead of children of the devil.

How does one become a child of the heavenly Father? “Whoever is of God hears the words of God.” Through the Word of God we become children of the Father. This happens initially at a christian’s baptism, and it continues throughout a christian’s life daily. Firstly, we must hear and believe what God says by listening to His Word. But secondly, and just as importantly, this Word of God must bear weight upon the christian’s heart, so that the christian’s life is shaped by the voice of God. How often do we hear the scriptures read, either in our devotions or in church, but then immediately forget them and falter? How easy this is for us! Let us not only hear God’s word momentarily, but keep it close to our hearts and regularly on our minds. For in hearing and keeping God’s Word you become a child of the heavenly Father, and the promise of eternal life is yours. 

Remember these true words of Jesus always: “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” What an incredible promise from God! Those who keep the word of God will never see death! You shall never see death! No greater message has ever been known than that through faith in Christ we shall live eternally.

Of course this seems false; as the Jews pointed out Abraham was righteous through faith, yet he died and was buried. But Jesus said: “Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” Abraham lives, even though he has died, because through faith the soul always lives with God. Abraham in his own day didn’t get to see the promised Messiah, he didn’t get to see the fruits of his faith. But since his soul lives with God the Father in heaven, Abraham did live to see the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus. In fact Abraham’s soul still lives with the Father and has seen the millions of Christians who have lived since his time. During Abraham’s life there were hardly any believers, his son Isaac hadn’t even had any children yet, the future perhaps looked dismal. But he lives still, and in time he saw the Lord and was given great hope.

You all share the same hope and faith as Abraham, the same word of God has been given to you, you have the same Savior and Redeemer, and therefore eternal life is yours. In this life we don’t get to see Jesus yet, we must live by faith in the promise. In this life what we see may be rather dismal. We may die like Abraham, wondering if any Christians will come after us or if we’re the last. But the comfort is yours in Jesus that you will see the Lord’s day and be glad. You will be refreshed and rejoice. Your soul shall ever live with God, seeing the many millions of Christians saved from the devil’s lies. At the last you will stand together with them all, looking upon the face of Jesus, the great I AM. For now the glory of Jesus may be hid from our eyes, but in time it shall all be revealed.