Get Aligned With A New Perspective On Jesus

Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” — John 8:43-47

Over many days now, I have tried to establish a very different perspective on Jesus for you. Most people picture Jesus as a quiet, reserved, and effeminate man. But that's not the Jesus we read about in John 8.

Let's back up about a week or so in the narrative and look at Jesus again.

Before going up to the Feast of Booths, his half-brothers dare him to reveal his authority and ministry there. Jesus then urges them to go and tells them he is not going with them. But he does go on his own. He quietly attends without anyone's knowledge. We discover that the religious authorities wanted to arrest and kill him, which is being discussed everywhere across the city. But for the first four days of the Feast, he just quietly observes and listens in. Then on days four through eight, he begins teaching on the Temple grounds, and his teaching is bold and direct. It's different from what people expected.

Then on the day after the Feast (where we are now in the text), he returns for more. He calls out their misunderstandings, theological confusion, assumptions, sin, desires, and easy believism. And then he tells them their father is not Abraham; it's the devil. He states this not once, not twice, not three times, but four times. He tells them they are sons of the devil. (John 8:38, 41, 44) So I hope you see Jesus differently today than in the past. He is dangerous, bold, truthful, courageous, and persistent. But he acts this way out of love because he wants us to understand.

And that's the primary issue of this text. Jesus desperately wants them to understand. But their deception runs too deep. Their desires are so tuned to the devil's deception that they cannot hear the truth. And please keep in mind that Jesus is speaking to religious people. Men like you and me.

This would be like Jesus sneaking into one of our church services and standing up in the middle of it and saying to attendees:

You look like you desire God, but you don't. You desire the devil because you don't listen to my word or act on my truth.

Here's the application. If you have a desire that is out of line, get that desire aligned with the Father's will.

ASK THIS: Do you have a desire that is out of line with the Father's will?

DO THIS: Confess that desire and get aligned.

PRAY THIS: God, take my old desires and give me new ones that are only and all for you.

PLAY THIS: I Give You My Heart.