Thoughts on the Gospel of John (57) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but he who sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things that I heard from him. They did not understand that he spoke to them of the Father. Then Jesus said to them, When you lift up the Son of man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as the Father taught me, I speak these things.
John 8:26-28.

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (57)
We have seen that Jesus' words reveal who He really was. Human beings often use words to conceal the truth about themselves.

Here we learn that Jesus' words not only reveal the truth about Himself, but also show who He really is as Man. The Lord had plenty to say and judge regarding His listeners. But He restricted it to what the Father considered necessary to be expressed. So the Father is the source of His sayings. What Jesus said is the truth concerning Himself; it also places the world in God's light and reveals the Father.

The Lord had already spoken frequently of Himself as the "Son of man". This title is a contrast to that of the "Messiah". As the Jews would not accept Him as the promised Messiah, He called Himself the "Son of man", a meaningful title involving His death and rejection, but also His resurrection and future glory.

When the Lord Jesus was "lifted up" on the cross, people finally committed all the evil and violence their hearts had towards Him. Yet it was in vain: having risen from the dead, Jesus proved that all power was given unto Him (cf. Matthew 28:18). The leaders of the people would recognise that the facts were convincing, but most of them would still not believe.

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today's reading: Job 42:1-17 · Acts 20:1-12