John 8:39–47 (ESV)
You Are of Your Father the Devil
39 They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, 40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from
God. This is not what Abraham did. 41 You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would
love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 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. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe
me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
The
Jews are claiming Abraham as their father, but Jesus is saying that their father is the devil. Abraham loved God and wouldn’t want to kill him. The Devil is a liar and the father of lies. Jesus
says the people’s refusal to believe in Him and His Word points out that their spiritual father is not Abraham, but the devil himself. Beware—even today satanic deception lies behind opposition to Jesus and His teaching. Yet, God’s love revealed
in the Gospel explains why His children by faith love their Savior and His Word.
I pray: O Lord, I love the habitation of Your house and the place where Your glory dwells. Help me to do all things
to your glory, and I pray that my works show that you are my spiritual father. Forgive me when I fail and help me to fix my eyes on you. Amen.