Understanding who Jesus is reveals his ultimate purpose, to give glory to God the Father. As believers, God’s adopted children, we inherit this same role.
“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord” (Psalm 150:6). 
Read John 8:42-47.
- The Jews claimed God was their Father.
- But Jesus had pointed out they didn’t know where he came from or who he was.
- If they (truly) loved God and believed Jesus was sent by God, they would also love Jesus.
- Jesus spoke clearly, but they could not hear and understand.
“For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them” (Matthew 13:15; Jesus quoting Isaiah 6:9,10).
- They were not for God and his purposes; therefore they were against God and aligned with Satan.
“Whoever is not with me is against me …” (Matthew 12:30).
- “Their works were done deceitfully, revealing them to be children of the devil.”1
- John contrasted the devil’s nature with God:
- God is life – the devil is a murderer.
- God is truth – Satan is the father of lies.
- Jesus spoke the Truth and the Jews didn’t believe him.
- Verses 45-46 in context with previous verses in this chapter show
- Sin results in slavery. : Truth sets us free.
- Jesus explained their position plainly.
“Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God” (John 8:47).
*How would you explain the connection between Jesus’ Truth and his sinless life?
*How can walking more closely with God help us better understand his Word?
Read John 8:48-52.
- Our reading in chapter 8 began with the Pharisees claiming Jesus’ testimony was invalid.
- John ended this chapter with Jesus’ claims about himself.
- After Jesus asserted the Jews in this conversation didn’t belong in the Father’s family, they countered with an accusation Jesus was a Samaritan and demon possessed.
- Jesus steered the conversation back to honoring the Father.
- The one true God seeks glory for himself, and he will judge all mankind.
“This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your name” (Mathew 6:9).
- Keeping and obeying Jesus’ words leads to eternal life and freedom from death.
“… hold firmly to the word of life” (Philippians 2:16).
- Somehow, the Jews equated Jesus’ claim his disciples would not die with demon possession.
- They glimpsed (incorrectly) the spiritual life.
*What does it mean to honor the Father?
*Why does God seek glory for himself?
*Why does God allow all mankind to glimpse spiritual life?
Read John 8:53-55.
- The Jews challenged Jesus, “who do you think you are?”
- Jesus knew exactly who he is.
- He is God’s Son, who gives all glory to the Father.
- Imagine that—part of Jesus’ Identity, who he is—I AM—is to give glory to God.
- Not only does Jesus call us to recognize and declare who he is, but he also challenges us to consider who we are.
- What we choose to believe and know about Jesus doesn’t alter his relationship with God.
- Jesus lives True to himself and God’s Word.
*Do we know clearly who we are?
- not yet following Jesus?
- a devoted disciple?
- God’s beloved child who seeks to walk with him each day?
*How can we follow Jesus’ example and give all glory to God?
*How can we live true to knowing God and keep his Word?
Read John 8:56-59.
- Jesus acknowledged Abraham as the Jews’ ancestor and said their “father” rejoiced in Jesus’ work.
- Jesus declared he is God, the great I AM, and the Jews heard what he said.
“God said to Moses, ‘I am who I am.’ This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you’” (Exodus 3:14).
- Because they perceived him as only a man who claimed to be God, they prepared to put him to death for blasphemy.
- His time had not yet come.
*Who do we say Jesus is?
*What is the significance of the great I AM?
- Spiros Zodhiates Th.D., The Complete Word Study New Testament, King James Version (AMG Publishers, 1991), 333.