Who Are You

John 8:21-30

21 So he said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.” 22 So the Jews said, “Will he kill himself, since he says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” 23 He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins”. 25 So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning. 26 I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.” 27 They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father. 28 So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. 29 And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” 30 As he was saying these things, many believed in him.

Notes

Jesus declared that He is the Light of the World and that the Father testifies of who Jesus is. Those who believe will not walk in darkness, but they will have the light of life. It follows that those who do not believe choose to remain in darkness. He would warn those who do not believe will die in their sins. But even with the dire warning, the majority of Jewish leaders of the time did not believe. Yet, there were those who did believe in Him.

1. Dying in Sin

   Jesus prophesied His death and resurrection. Jesus clearly explained that He is from above and the Pharisees were from below. They are of the world, but He is not. He warned them that they would die in their sins if they did not believe.

   
   21 So he said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.” 22 So the Jews said, “Will he kill himself, since he says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” 23 He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins” (John 8:21-24).
   

2. Who Are You?

   Even though Jesus proclaimed who He was, the religious authorities still asked who He was. They could not see nor understand what He was saying. Yet, Jesus made statements about judgment and the Father who sent Him.
   
   25 So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning. 26 I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.” 27 They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father. (John 8:25-27).

3. Never Alone

   The Pharisees asked who He was. Jesus is the Son of Man, prophesied in Daniel 7:13-14, destined to rule forever and ever. Moreover, Jesus is the I AM. He always acknowledges the Father who sent Him; Jesus does not do anything outside the Father’s will. Thus, He always pleases the Father.

   
   28 So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. 29 And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” 30 As he was saying these things, many believed in him (John 8:28-30).

Application

1. Do Not Die in Sin

   Jesus warned that unless people believe in Him, they will die in their sins. Thus, we should believe Him in who He is and what He has done. By His grace, we can and should believe with all our hearts.

2. Explain Who Jesus is

   Aside from believing, we must explain who Jesus is. He is not a mere good man; He is more than a prophet. Certainly more than a historical figure. Who is He? Jesus is the Son of Man, the One who rules forever and ever. His dominion is limitless, yet through Him is mercy to eternal life. Engage people in conversation about the gospel. Even if some will not believe, others will.

3. Please the Father

   Jesus said that He speaks what He hears from the Father, and the Father is with Him. We, too, must speak what we see in His word; and believe He is with us through His Holy Spirit. We please the Father by believing what the Son declares.

Reflection & Discussion

1. According to the text, what will happen to those who do not believe?

2. Describe the Son of Man according to Daniel 7:13-14.

3. How did Jesus please the Father? How may we?