How does John 8:55 connect with the commandment to love God in Deuteronomy? Setting the Stage in John 8:55 “You do not know Him, but I know Him. If I said I did not know Him, I would be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His word.” (John 8:55) The Deuteronomy Call to Love • Deuteronomy 6:4-5 — “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” • Deuteronomy 11:1 — “You shall therefore love the LORD your God and always keep His charge, His statutes, His ordinances, and His commandments.” • Deuteronomy 10:12-13 — Love, fear, serve, and “keep the commandments” flow together as one devotion. Key Points of Connection • Knowing God → Loving God ‒ In Deuteronomy, love begins with knowing “the LORD is One.” ‒ In John 8:55, Jesus insists He truly knows the Father. • Loving God → Keeping His Word ‒ Deuteronomy ties love directly to obedience (“keep His commandments”). ‒ Jesus echoes the same pattern: “I … keep His word.” • Truth vs. False Claim ‒ Those who claim to know God yet do not obey are called “liar” in both passages (cf. Deuteronomy 5:29; 1 John 2:4). ‒ Jesus refuses to join their falsehood; His love is proven authentic through obedience. • Whole-Person Devotion ‒ Deuteronomy demands heart, soul, and strength. ‒ Jesus’ total submission—even unto the cross (Philippians 2:8)—puts that whole-person love on display. Jesus as the Perfect Fulfillment • Embodies the Shema: Jesus is the Son who perfectly loves the Father. • Models the inseparable link between love and obedience (John 14:31; 15:10). • Reveals the Father so that we can truly know Him (John 1:18; 17:3). Take-Home Reflections • True love for God is measurable: it shows up in joyful, consistent obedience. • Knowing God is not mere information; it is relational intimacy that compels action. • Because Jesus fulfills the Deuteronomy command, He enables believers to do the same through the Spirit (Romans 5:5; Galatians 5:22-23). |
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