Who is your
spiritual father? - John 8:42-47
Basil Howlett - Carey Baptist Church - 23 October 2005
Introduction
Jesus is in the temple courts in
Jerusalem, teaching the people. He began doing that early in the morning (verse
2), but was interrupted for a while when some Pharisees dragged in a poor woman
who had been caught committing adultery. They wanted to stone her, but Jesus
forgave her and told her to leave her life of sin. Following that, he resumed
his teaching (verse 12) when he described himself as the Light of the World. He
then warned the Jewish people (verse 24) that, if they did not believe on him,
they would die in their sins. But if they received the truth he was giving, and
believed on him they would be free from the slavery of sin. Very annoyed, they
insisted, 'We are Abraham's descendants, we have never been slaves of
anyone' (verses 33 & 39). Jesus replied, 'If you were Abraham's
children you would do the things that Abraham did. You would behave like
Abraham, but you are trying to kill me. Abraham didn't do such things. You are
not really Abraham's children. You have another father' - an illusion to
the devil - 'and you are doing what he does.'
Incensed all the more, the Jews protested, (verse 41) 'We are not illegitimate children. You are suggesting: that we are not true Jews like Abraham. We will have you know that our Father is God himself.' And Jesus says (v42), 'If God were your Father you would love me for I came from God' (Verse 44), 'You really belong to your father the devil. ' This passage is raising the all important question: who is our spiritual father?
A.
There are two possibilities: either God is our Father or the devil.
We either belong to God, relate to
him and are like him. Or we belong to the devil, relate to him and are like him
(Matthew 13:38, 1 John 3:10). There are many people who believe that everyone
is a child of God and speak about the 'Universal Fatherhood of God', but
Jesus makes it clear that there are two families. Some belong to God, some
belong to the devil. This is a very serious matter:
If we
belong to the devil we are in the most dangerous position
imaginable.
He is the most evil being in the
universe. Originally, he was a perfect angel, created by God, but he became
proud and rebelled against God (verse 44) and as a result he was thrown out of
heaven and ever since he has been the avowed enemy of God (Luke 10:18, Peter
2:4, Jude 6)
He's a murderer (verse 44). He's
been a murderer from the beginning (Genesis 4:8), and has incited all murders
throughout history, especially the murder attempt on Jesus when he was born
(Matthew 2:16). He's the one who incited Herod, Caiaphas and Pontius Pilate to
arrest him and nail him to a cross.
He's a murderer of souls! He himself
is doomed (Matthew 25:41) but he wants to drag as many people as possible down
with him.
He is a liar (verse 44). Lying is
his native language. He lied to Eve (Genesis 3:1) and has been lying ever
since. He's a liar of a father, and the father of lies. He is behind every lie
that is told. Can you think of anything worse? Belonging to a father who is a
murderer and inveterate liar.
If we are Christians and belong to God we are in a
very privileged position.
He is the great God who created and
rules over the whole universe.
He is true and holy, the exact
opposite of the devil. He does not and cannot lie (Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:18).
He's the God who loved us so much
that he sent his Son to be our Saviour (verse 42). To have God as Father is the
greatest privilege anyone could ever have (1 John 3:1-3).
So the great question is: to whom do
we belong? Who is our Father? God or the devil?
B. Some
people, like these Jews just assume that they belong to God (verse 41), but Jesus made it clear that they
belonged to the devil. Why did they make this assumption?
Because of their family connection
with Abraham (verses 33 & 39). There are hundreds of people today who
assume that they belong to God because of family connections.
Another reason why people falsely
assume they belong to God is because of their religious connections. Verse 2
tells us that this whole dialogue between Jesus and these Jews was taking place
in the temple courts.
C. How can
we tell whether we are children of God or of the devil?
These Jews gave many evidences that they did not
belong to God.
1. They did not really love the Son
of God (verse 42). In fact, they hated him. and were eager to kill him (verse
37, 39). In contrast, Abraham looked forward to the coming Messiah and rejoiced
(verse 56). In their antagonism to Christ they were imitating their 'father'
the devil.
2. They did not accept the truth of
God. (verse 37,40,45)
3. They had no real concern to
please God but were more eager to follow the ways of the devil (verse 44, see
also 1 John 3:10).
D. It is possible for children of the devil, to become
children of God.
Through Jesus Christ, sent by God
(verse 42)
Through a miracle of God.