LEARNING DAILY

John 8:23-24, And He said to them, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. Therefore I said that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”

The conversations between the Pharisees and Jesus seem to be becoming more intense at this time in Jesus’ ministry on earth. In this passage of John’s writing Jesus makes strong claims to who He is. It would be good if you open your Bible and read John 8:12-24. Jesus claims to be “the light of the world”. He said, “His Father in heaven had sent Him”. The Pharisees respond with what amounts to that Jesus is crazy and asking where His Father is – they seem to be referring to Joseph.

In the scripture verses above, Jesus points out the difference between Him and the Pharisees. They are from the world, an inferior place from where He came. They cannot understand what He is saying because they have been born in to a world of sin and that has caused them to see and understand from that perspective. For example, their question about where His Father was refers to His birth. Their reference was to an illegitimate birth, to one being born out of wedlock. The Pharisees were spiritually blind to the truth. One cannot help but think of the first chapter of this gospel and remember that “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it”. They had studied the Scriptures, had great knowledge of the Scriptures, but did not understand the Scriptures; they did not know God when He stood before them.  Jesus told them, “I am from above!” He said I am divine! I am God! But they did not understand. They did not recognize Him.

My sanctified imagination allows me to see Jesus looking the Pharisees in the eyes and telling them that they need to recognize Him as the Messiah they are looking for; if they do not, “they will die in their sins”. The Scriptures do not tell us who was around listening to this conversation. I believe these words spoken were heard and applied not only to the Pharisees but to everyone watching and listening to this conversation.

The words of Jesus certainly apply to each person in the world today. “If you do not believe I am He, you will die in your sins.” Is it possible to forget that sin separates humanity from God? Yes, I believe so. The false teachers tell people there are many ways to heaven and that all ways lead to God. No! Christianity is not about what we do or how we live our lives to get into heaven. It is about a loving God who sent His Son to take the sins of whosoever would believe in Him. That is what Jesus is telling the Pharisees. There is no other way to the Father and to eternity with Him except to believe in Jesus.

Free will and free choice. The choice is eternal life with Him or eternal life without Him. The choice is to walk a narrow way or to continue walking a broad way. I realize that you who read this have already made the choice of eternal life with Jesus. Be encouraged as you walk the narrow way. Be encouraged to share with those around you what Jesus has done in your life. Time sure seems to be drawing to a conclusion as we know it. The sound of the trumpet calling the Faithful followers of Jesus certainly seems to be close at hand. Be diligent in your walk with Him and stay ready for the trumpet to sound!

Thank you for staying with me; by doing so you encourage me daily!