John 8: 31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?” 34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. 35 A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. 37 Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there’s no room in your hearts for my message. 38 I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father.”39 “Our father is Abraham!” they declared. “No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example. 40 Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. 41 No, you are imitating your real father.”
When a person follows a certain way of thinking for so long it is difficult for them to see their way clear to a new better way. There is comfort in the old thinking and the new way of thinking means we must change and change is so difficult. In the above scripture Jesus' way of teaching and what He is teaching is minimizing the teaching of the Law of Moses and taking them into a deeper way of looking at their faith which lifts up Him. Jesus is calling them to follow Him totally with their whole life in faith. In following Him, those Hebrews will have to give up long-held beliefs in where their salvation comes from. Jesus has gone into a new realm of thinking that will lead them toward trusting Him for their salvation, and the people have traditions that hold them back from believing totally in Him.
Jesus reminds them that they hold onto their beliefs, but they don't even live those beliefs by their actions. Jesus continues to remind them that His heavenly Father is the one who sent Him to bring them to the Father—not just as almighty God, but a closer, more intimate relationship where we can call God Abba Father or "daddy." Paul in his letter to the Romans helps us realize what this relationship looks like. Romans 8: 15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
If we were thinking of the extent of what Jesus is offering them, it would be like us having an old clunker vehicle and then someone offering us a brand new priceless sports car. The people are willing to give up the best to keep their old way of thinking. Jesus makes it so that we are no longer strangers to God but His children. God loves His children so much. What we get out of the deal is eternal life in heaven and abundant life here on earth. What God gets is a new relationship that was lost when Adam and Eve sinned and caused the chasm between us and God. Jesus is the bridge to make the connection again, but the people could not see beyond their religion to get the relationship God was offering. Sonship!
Our Heavenly Father is so close that we cannot escape His presence because He is here for us! Praise God! The Pslamist helps us realize how close God wants to be to us in Psalm 139. Psalm 139: 1 O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.2 You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.3 You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do.4 You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.5 You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! 7 I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! This sure changes the phrase "God with us" to me. How bout you?
There is more encouragement from God to each of us in Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. 19 The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.20 For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken! Those people Jesus was teaching in John 8 were apparently willing to hold on to an old way of thinking in order to keep their traditions and reject Jesus. Not Me! I want to see those new mercies every day and experience the abundant life that is offered by God to me, His child. Don't settle for old man-made religion beliefs. Allow God's living Word to give you new and fresh hope every day and God will bring you into a realm of understanding you never thought possible. When you are at your lowest, God will come through. When you are at your highest, God will come through. We need Him in all circumstances, so get on board and enjoy the ride. RIDE LIKE THE WIND!! Then Isaiah 40:31 will be more than some words we just read. Isaiah 40: But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Who's Your Daddy? Mine is the God of the Universe and with Him all things are possible!
Today's Message,
David Warren
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