To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.” “Abraham is our father,” they answered. “If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do what Abraham did. As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the works of your own father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?” “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.” At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?” Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!” “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.
—John 8:31-59

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Who Is Your Father?
By Jennifer Kane

Abraham is our father. I came from the Father above.
Who gave You this authority? The Father sent Me to speak truth.
We are not illegitimate children. I was born of the Spirit, not of man.
Are You greater than Abraham? Before Abraham was—I AM.
You have a demon. I honor My Father, and He glorifies Me.
You deceive the people. My sheep know My voice and follow.
Who do You make Yourself out to be? I am the Son of God, the Savior of the world.
You are a Samaritan!  I came to seek and save the outcast.
Who is Your father?    The Father and I are One.
You are not one of us. But all who believe become children of God.

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Scripture: John 8:1-59

The confrontation in John 8 wasn’t just a theological debate—it was spiritual warfare in plain sight. The religious leaders claimed Abraham as their father, assuming that physical descent guaranteed spiritual favor. But Jesus challenged their identity, saying in essence, “If Abraham were truly your father, you’d act like him—you’d welcome God’s truth, not try to kill it.”

This challenge cut deep. And rather than humble themselves, the leaders went on the attack.

“We are not illegitimate children,” they retorted—an insinuation meant to discredit Jesus’ birth. In their eyes, Mary’s pregnancy before marriage cast a shadow over His legitimacy. This was character assassination cloaked in righteousness. It wasn’t just an argument—it was deeply personal.

Then they hurled another insult: “You are a Samaritan and demon-possessed!” (John 8:48). To be called a Samaritan—considered half-breed and heretic by many Jews—was a deliberate act of racial and spiritual contempt. Calling Him demon-possessed was a direct denial of His holiness. In their minds, Jesus wasn’t from God—He was an enemy of God.

But this kind of persecution didn’t begin here—and it wouldn’t end here either.

Jesus had already faced rejection from His own family. In Mark 3:21, His relatives tried to seize Him, saying, “He is out of His mind.” Today, we might call it being “brainwashed” or “under mind control.” He was accused of leading people astray (John 7:12). His teachings divided crowds. He was misunderstood by those He loved and hunted by those who should have recognized Him.

In John 8, Jesus doesn’t argue His way out. He simply tells the truth. He honors His Father. He offers eternal life to those who believe: “Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death” (v. 51). But the more truth He spoke, the more enraged they became—until they picked up stones to kill Him (v. 59).

And ultimately, they would succeed. Not in disproving Him—but in crucifying Him.

Jesus—perfect, sinless, compassionate—was condemned through lies, slander, and spiritual pride.

John 8 reminds us that following Jesus won’t always win us applause. If Jesus was misunderstood, falsely accused, insulted, and persecuted—should we expect less?

If our loyalty to Christ causes tension with our family, or if religious people question our motives or call us extreme, we’re not alone. We’re walking the same road our Savior walked. And that road leads not to shame, but to glory.

Ask yourself honestly today:
Do I follow Jesus only when it’s easy—or even when it costs me my reputation?
Am I willing to be misunderstood, rejected, or even insulted for the sake of truth?
Do my words and actions show that God—not my family, my culture, or myself—is truly my Father?

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Father God, When the world questions who I am, remind me of whose I am. When I face insults, rejection, or misunderstanding, let me remember Jesus—who endured it all for love. Give me boldness to speak truth and grace to endure suffering. Let me walk in the footsteps of Christ, not seeking applause, but obedience. May my life declare that You alone are my Father. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

July 3 2025