February 14
JOHN 8
48 The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. 50 Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” 52 The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” 54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ 55 But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” 57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple. – John 8:48-59
JOHN 8 IF YOU KEEP GOD’S WORD
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
Those who claim to believe in the Lord must keep his word
If you do not follow his word, you will be consumed by the world
It is the word that will bring you discernment from what is not true
It exposes what lies the enemy uses to destroy and kill you
So, keep being faithful to seek the truth in God’s word
It will free you from the bondage of sin propagated in this world.
We continue to witness the violence that the Jewish leaders are throwing at Jesus. They are so mad that they don’t hear anything Jesus says. They were hyper-focusing on arresting him and killing him. As Jesus continued to expose their unbelief and not understanding what he was saying, they got more and more violent to the point at picking stones to throw at him. But, of course, we know that God won’t allow that as it is not yet Jesus’ hour at that time. They aren’t able to hear the truth because they are of the devil.
REFLECTION
• What benefits have you enjoyed when you keep God’s word?
