Scripture to Read: John 8:14–15
The Pharisees had no idea they were challenging God the Son, the One who created them. As was discussed yesterday, the Pharisees were blinded by the darkness of their hearts. Jesus answered the Pharisees’ challenge in John 8:14, “Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going.” Jesus was more than qualified to testify about Himself, for Jesus did not only proclaim the Truth, but He is “the Truth,” so there’s no doubt His testimony is true. Jesus also told the Pharisees of His omniscience (being all-knowing), for He knows all things past, present, and future. That is why Jesus told them He knew where He had come from and where He was going. Jesus also said, in John 8:15, “You judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone.” The Pharisees could only see Jesus as a man from Galilee and nothing more, so their judgment was based on Jesus’ fleshly birth, which is how they judged Him. But Jesus reminded them that He was not judging anyone, including them. Remember what Jesus had told Nicodemus in John 3:17, “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” Jesus had come to set them free from their spiritual blindness and save them if they were only willing to open their eyes to see Him clearly.
Challenge & Application
• Why was Jesus more than qualified to testify about Himself?
• Why couldn’t the Pharisees see Jesus as Messiah, and why were they judging Him according to the flesh?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!