When We Are Clothed In His Righteousness, We Are No Longer Clothed With Strange Apparel, But Filled With His Spirit of Holiness - Part 2134

"Ye do the deeds of your father." Then said they to Jesus, "We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God." (John 8:41)

Jesus clearly identifies Himself as the Light of the world, the Bread of Life to the Pharisees, but they only want to kill Him. In John 8, we see one such account wherein Jesus clearly tells them, in response to their question unto Him, "Where is Thy Father?" that "Ye neither know Me, nor My Father: if ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also." (John 8:19)

In another place, Jesus says, "I and My Father are One!" (John 10:30) And in yet another, Jesus tells His disciples that if ye have seen Me, ye have seen the Father, and know Him. (John 14:6-12)

But if one's hearts do not want to accept Jesus as our Lord God and Saviour -- this same Jesus whom ye have crucified as both Lord and Christ, you will look for ways to justify yourself, and this is what is happening here in this encounter between Jesus and the Pharisees.

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, "I am the Light of the world: he that follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." The Pharisees therefore said unto Him, "Thou bear record of Thyself; Thy record is not true." Jesus answered and said unto them, "Though I bear record of Myself, yet My record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I judge, My judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent Me. It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I am One that bear witness of Myself, and the Father that sent Me bears witness of Me." Then said they unto Him, "Where is Thy Father?" Jesus answered, "Ye neither know Me, nor My Father: if ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also." (John 8:12- 20)

These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as He taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on Him; for His hour was not yet come. But the dialogue does not end there.

Then said Jesus again unto them, "I go my way, and ye shall seek Me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come." Then said the Jews, "Will He kill himself?" because He saith, "Whither I go, ye cannot come.." And He said unto them, "Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I AM He, ye shall die in your sins."

Then said they unto Him, "Who art Thou?" And Jesus saith unto them, "Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning. I have many things to say and to judge of you: but He that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of Him."

They understood not that He spake to them of the Father. Then said Jesus unto them, "When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I AM He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father hath taught Me, I speak these things. And He that sent Me is with Me: the Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him." (John 8:21-29) 

"To wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself." (II Corinthians 5:19)

As Jesus spake these words, note that many believed on Him, but not the Pharisees.

Jesus continues, saying to those Jews which believed on Him, "If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." 

They answered Him, "We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest Thou, "Ye shall be made free?" Jesus answered them, "Verily, verily, I say unto you -- whosoever commits sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abides not in the house for ever: but the Son abides ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill Me, because My Word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with My Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father." They answered and said unto Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus saith unto them, "If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill Me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father." (John 8:30-40)

Still determined to justify themselves, then said they to Jesus, "We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God." Thus, Jesus tells them, "If God were your Father, ye would love Me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do ye not understand My speech? even because ye cannot hear My Word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do; he was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe Me not? Which of you convinces Me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe Me? ... he that is of God hears God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God." (John 8:41-47)

Then answered the Jews, and said unto Him, "Say we not well that Thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?" Jesus answered, "I have not a devil; but I honour My Father, and ye do dishonour Me. And I seek not Mine own glory: there is One that seeks and judges. Verily, verily, I say unto you, "If a man keep My saying, he shall never see death." (John 8:48-51)

At this point, Jesus was still inviting them into the fold, but their own hearts condemned them because these did not recognize Jesus -- that I AM He! Consequently, the Jesus said unto Him, "Now we know that Thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and Thou sayest, If a man keep My saying, he shall never taste of death. Art Thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest Thou Thyself?" 

Jesus answered, "If I honour Myself, my honour is nothing: it is My Father that honours Me; of whom ye say, that He is your God: yet ye have not known Him; but I know Him: and if I should say, "I know Him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know Him, and keep His saying. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day: and he saw it, and was glad." Then said the Jews unto Him, "Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?" (John 8:52-57) 

Herein the punchline. And Jesus said unto them, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM." (John 8:58)

When their hearts were revealed, we see that these took up stones to cast at Him: but Jesus hid Himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by." (John 8:59)

Indeed, there is one God and He Himself became our Saviour. And ye shall call His Name JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins ... Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23) The issue with the Pharisees is that these did not want to render their hearts to Jesus -- as both Lord and Christ -- and stand in the offering plate. (Acts 2:36)

Nevertheless, as the scripture states, and in spite of the Pharisees hardheartedness, there were those who did believe Jesus -- that I AM He.

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord ..." (Mark 12:29-31; Deuteronomy 6:4, 38)

Stand in the offering plate.