In our daily meditations, we examine the confrontation between the Lord Jesus and the influential religious leaders of that time. They didn't like that Christ claimed to be THE Light of Israel (John 8:12), so the leaders attacked Him fiercely. Jesus responded by shining light into their dark hearts.
Our general belief is that God is the Father of all humankind. This is true to some extent because He created our bodies and gave us a spirit, mind, will, and emotions. However, it is not accurate to say He is our Father until we are born again (John 3:3). Jesus explained that there are two types of people in this world: those who are on His side and those who are deceived and belong to the devil, doing his work. Here’s what He said:
He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters (Matthew 12:30).
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient (Ephesians 2:1-2; emphasis added).
The Lord told the religious leaders that simply being descendants of Abraham didn't make them children of Abraham, the man of faith. Christ aimed to free them from Satan's control by revealing the truth about their spiritual state.
38I am telling you what I have seen in the Father's presence, and you do what you have heard from your father." 39"Abraham is our father," they answered. "If you were Abraham's children," said Jesus, "then you would do the things Abraham did. 40As it is, you are determined to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. 41You are doing the things your own father does." "We are not illegitimate children," they protested. "The only Father we have is God himself." 42Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. 43Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire (John 8:38-44; emphasis added).
Those arguing with Jesus said their father was Abraham (v. 39), but Jesus told them the truth—they were under the control of the enemy. The leaders responded with character assassination and harsh words of defamation about Christ's birth and His mother: "We are not illegitimate children," they protested (v. 41). They insultingly questioned whether He was born illegitimately and insinuated that He was a Samaritan, since they had no evidence of who His father was. They said to Him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?” (v. 48). Perhaps they sent spies to Nazareth, where Jesus grew up, and found out that Mary was pregnant with Jesus before her marriage to Joseph, her husband. If they had checked the records, they would have learned about his noble birth in Bethlehem, his lineage through King David, and his tribe, the tribe of Judah. The enemy loves to slander Christ, tarnish the reputation of His name above all others, and drag it through the dirt. Many of us see this defamation happen all around us. It is not the name of Buddha or Mohamed that is spoken in vain. It is the name of Jesus that is slandered. Jesus faced spiritual opposition from the enemy, and we should not be surprised if we also face slander and persecution.
Jesus told them clearly, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire” (v. 44). Because sin controlled their lives, their words and actions revealed that Satan entirely owned them.
Those who walk with Christ must speak the truth about those around us who walk in darkness; otherwise, how will they awaken from the slumber of spiritual death? Some suggest we should not say hard things or hurt people's feelings about their spiritual condition. I'm afraid I have to disagree. We are responsible for speaking the truth of the Scriptures. We are in a battle, and eternal lives are at stake. If Jesus talked plainly about where He saw these religious men heading, then so should we to those around us. Let there be no regrets when we take our last breath. Keith Thomas.
Shortened from the comprehensive study at the following link: The Light Challenges the Darkness.