What does "a man who has told you the truth" teach about Jesus? Setting the Scene John 8 finds Jesus in a tense debate with religious leaders. In the middle of it He declares: “ But now you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things.” (John 8:40) What “a man who has told you the truth” Teaches about Jesus • Fully Human, Yet Sinless – He calls Himself “a man,” underscoring genuine humanity (cf. John 1:14; Hebrews 2:14). – Though truly human, He alone can say He always speaks truth, marking Him as the sinless Son (1 Peter 2:22). • God’s Appointed Truth-Bearer – The truth He declares is “what I heard from God,” showing divine commissioning (John 12:49-50). – This fulfills Deuteronomy 18:18-19, where God promised to raise up a prophet who would speak His words. • Perfect Union of Humility and Authority – By identifying as “a man,” He displays humility; by revealing truth straight from God, He asserts heavenly authority (John 3:31-34). – Listeners are left without excuse, because rejecting His words equals rejecting God’s words (Luke 10:16). • Contrast with the Devil’s Lies – Just after verse 40, Jesus says, “You belong to your father, the devil… when he lies, he speaks his native language” (John 8:44). – Jesus, the truthful Man, stands opposite the father of lies, exposing every counterfeit (cf. 1 John 3:8). Why This Matters for Us Today • Assurance of Absolute Truth – In a culture of shifting opinions, Jesus remains the reliable standard (John 14:6). • Foundation for Saving Faith – Believing His truthful testimony leads to eternal life (John 5:24). • Model for Our Speech – As followers, we are called to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). • Urgency of Response – The leaders’ hostility warns against hardening our hearts to God’s revealed truth (Hebrews 3:7-8). |
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