John 9:18-24 ESV

18 The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight 19 and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” 20 His parents answered, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. 21 But how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.” 22 (His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess Jesus to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.) 23 Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”

24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.”

18 Hindi naniwala ang mga Judio na siya'y dating bulag at nagkaroon ng kanyang paningin, hanggang sa kanilang tinawag ang mga magulang ng lalaki na nagkaroon ng paningin, 19 at tinanong sila, “Ito ba ang inyong anak, na sinasabi ninyong ipinanganak na bulag? Paanong nakakakita na siya ngayon?” 20 Sumagot ang kanyang mga magulang, “Alam naming ito'y aming anak, at siya'y ipinanganak na bulag. 21 Subalit kung paanong siya'y nakakakita ngayon, ay hindi namin alam, o kung sino ang nagbukas ng kanyang mga mata, ay hindi namin kilala. Tanungin ninyo siya, siya'y may sapat na gulang na, at siya'y magsasalita para sa kanyang sarili.” 22 Ang mga bagay na ito'y sinabi ng kanyang mga magulang sapagkat natatakot sila sa mga Judio. Sapagkat pinagkaisahan na ng mga Judio, na kung ang sinuman ay magpahayag na si Jesus ang Cristo ay palalayasin mula sa sinagoga. 23 Kaya't sinabi ng kanyang mga magulang, “Siya'y may sapat na gulang na, tanungin ninyo siya.”

24 Dahil dito'y tinawag nilang muli ang taong dating bulag, at sinabi sa kanya, “Luwalhatiin mo ang Diyos. Nalalaman naming makasalanan ang taong ito.”

COERCION

As staunch religious fanatics, these religious leaders refused to accept the testimony of the man healed from blindness. They went to his parents and interrogated them if he was truly their son and how he was healed and became able to see. Tactfully and wisely, they said, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. 21 But how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself. He is of age , ask him”

His parents would not speak for him and Christ. Why? They feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess Jesus to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue. Sadly, these religious leaders, in the guise that they are for God, had resorted to coercion and manipulation of the flesh. They interrogated the man again, coercing him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.”

It is so sad that there are religious groups among us today in the like of these Pharisees. They thought they are glorifying God by denying Christ, his being, claims and works. Let us not be deceived. As John admonished us, “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.”[1 John 4:2-3]

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John 9:13-17 ESV

13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. 14 Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. 15 So the Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, “He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them. 17 So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”

THE PERIL OF TRADITION - BOUND SPIRITUALITY.

Jesus chose a man who was blind from birth (John 9:1–2) and gave him sight (John 9:6–7). This reflects the way in which God, by His grace, is offering salvation to those who would otherwise never have had it. It also gives a potent example, proving that not all suffering is a punishment for that person's wrongdoing (John 9:3–5). The people who recognized the man as blind earlier were amazed that he was able to see. Though a few doubt that he was the same person (John 9:8–9), most were more curious in knowing how he was healed.

The man's sudden change in condition was controversial enough, was it not? But, the mention of the name of Jesus as his healer was even more. Most likely, this was one reason the people brought this formerly blind man to the Pharisees. As the religious leaders of their people, these men are expected to find out such miraculous acts. As was the previous case with John the Baptist, these religious leaders were completely justified in investigating what happened, and why. Their problem was not in the asking of questions—it was their hardened hearts and hypocritical attitudes except for a few.

As a very pious sect, the Pharisees created an entire list of oral traditions and secondary laws, meant to "protect" the laws of Moses. These traditions were treated with the same level of authority as the Word of God itself, even more [see Mark 7:13]. Honoring the Sabbath was the most sacred. In confronting these religious hypocrites, Jesus seemed to deliberately challenge their misunderstanding of the Sabbath in order to provoke conversations. Thus, he performed this healing on the Sabbath day. And by putting mud on the eyes of the blind man and telling him to wash during Sabbath was considered by these religious leaders as a taboo. (see John 5:18).

Certainly, their reaction to this miracle had shown the dangers of self-centered, tradition-bound spirituality. For them, Jesus' actions directly violate their traditional interpretations of holiness—and they're right. In Christianity, forms should not supersede functions. Without any doubt, helping the man blind to see in order to not to beg anymore is more important than the observance of the Sabbath. In fact, Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” At one instant, He asked them after he healed a man with a shriveled had one Sabbath, ‘Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?’ But they remained silent” “[Mark 3:4]

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John 9:8-12 ESV

8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some said, “It is he.” Others said, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” 10 So they said to him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” 11 He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed and received my sight.” 12 They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”

A RADICAL CHANGE

“When you are unsure, ask question” is a good rule in life, isn’t it? The people who saw this former blind man well and not begging anymore were unsure. Some said he was the man while the others said he just looked like him. While they were debating, the man confirmed, “I am the man.”

Knowing his former condition, they couldn’t just believe easily. His healing and transformation seemed impossible. However, what they witnessed couldn’t be argued. His changed life couldn’t be denied. Paul said, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”[2 Cor 5:17] A person who is in Christ is changed from the inside out. Are you?

People were curious and wondering so that they asked how did it happen. He told them it was Jesus who healed him. He had just heard Jesus but had no idea how did he look like. Simply said, he didn’t know much about Jesus except that He was his healer.

We can only testify that which we know first hand. Even though, how little biblical or theological knowledge we have, it should be enough for us to testify that Jesus had saved and changed our lives miraculously because we are truly born again. The Samaritan woman, after she met Jesus, went to the town of Sychar just telling everyone about what Jesus had done to her. And, the people believed her. Witnessing for Jesus isn’t an ‘explaining mode’ but a ‘declaring mode’ of Jesus and His mighty deeds. As a messenger, we should be happy to announce the news.

As Peter wrote, “in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”[1 Pet 3:15] And, like this healed blind man, his defense was his life – he now sees, having left begging at the streets and functions as a responsible man. Today, if somebody will accuse you of being a Christian, will there be evidences to prove it? I hope with certainty, we will be proven guilty as believers of Christ.

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John 9:1-7 ESV

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.

WORKS OF GOD DISPLAYED IN HIM

Most of us do express compassion to see handicaps, especially to a blind person, don’t we? Perhaps, it was this feeling that prompted the disciples to ask Jesus whether he or his parents sinned when they saw this blind person begging. Somebody must be blamed for a sin that caused a difficult predicament. In principle, all of the imperfections and decay in the world can be traced to the curse of the fall of man.

Today, it’s no wonder that when we see the ‘least and the lost’ people having a rough times – impoverished and suffering, we either blame the greedy politicians or their laziness. There are many cases that these observations are true. However, a lot of them, like this blind man, were born in hardships without their choice, and even their parents, too.

Neither our economic status, whether rich or poor, nor physical stature, whether handicap or not, marks our spirituality. Certainly, God did use many rich people in His kingdom. However, James said, “Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? [Jas 2:5]

Jesus is giving us a new perspective. Instead of looking for somebody to blame, we have to look into what God can do in and through them. That is the work of God will be manifested in them. This truth was experienced by Paul, having a thorn in his flesh, who testified saying, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Hardships are platforms for God to display His glory. If not for the lack of food, there wouldn’t be the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. If not for the storm there wouldn’t be a miracle of Jesus walking on waves.

Perhaps today, you are at the middle of the storm and is holding the end of your rope. Instead of looking for somebody to blame, you pray and trust that Jesus is at the moment of doing a miracle. As the psalmist wrote;

“they reeled and staggered like drunken men

and were at their wits' end.

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

and he delivered them from their distress.

He made the storm be still,

and the waves of the sea were hushed.”[Psa 107:27-29]

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John 8:48-59 ESV

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.

REJECTION LEADS TO INSULTS

Time and again, they continued to demonstrate their rejection to Jesus. These men arguing with Jesus at this moment were beyond reason (Matt 7:6) and have begun to use vile insults (John 8:41,48). Every time they tried to fool, trick, or embarrass Jesus, it backfired (Matt 16:1; 19:3:22:35; Luke 10:25; 11:54) As a wild animal cornered and frustrated, they attacked and hit Jesus below the belt.

They accused Him as a Samaritan and had a demon, respectively. The Jewish people saw Samaritans as despised half-breeds. This cultural hatred was a major reason why Jesus' actions in talking with the Samaritan woman at the town of Sychar were so controversial (John 4:1–9). Hence, calling Jesus a "Samaritan" brought two insults, namely: mocking His birth, and accusing Him of heresy. And, referring Him as demon-possessed was equivalent to calling Him crazy during that time.

They were infuriated when Jesus claimed, “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” Upon hearing this, they immediately accused Him for claiming falsely that He is greater than Abraham and the prophets, who died. They asked, “Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” Abraham is one of the most revered names in all of human history, and especially by those of the Jewish faith. Let’s not forget that they always pride themselves as the true descendants of Abraham, and so they had monopoly of the truth. Instead of becoming flustered or enraged, Jesus had shrugged those slurs off and left the consequences to God.

And Jesus did confirm their accusation, saying, “ Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” He said also, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” This was too much to hear for these enraged critics to bear. They looked down on Him as Galillean, even a Samaritan and demonized or crazy, blasphemous young guy. So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

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John 8:39-47 ESV

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.”

WHO IS YOUR FATHER?

While Jesus is certain that God is His father, His critics were deceived. They argued strongly that because their father is Abraham, it followed that God is their father. Claiming that they weren’t born out of ‘sexual immorality’, they believed that their undilluted ethnicity had given them automatically the right to belong to the Father. Having been hoodwinked by these lies of Satan, they didn’t realize he was their father in reality. Sadly, their religious zeal and advocacy had made their delusion harder to discover.

Thus, let’s not believe every spirit today but test the spirits whether they are from God.[1 John 4:1] Satan could transform himself into an angel of light.[2 Cor 11:14] Today, how many religious fanatics who in the name of God are persecuting the children of God and hindering His work?

They did not do the work of Abraham, who believed the Messiah. In what way? They oppose the lord Jesus, even wanted to kill Him. Abraham wasn’t a murderer, was he? Jesus had diagnosed their fundamental problem. He said, “Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires.” The nature of the children is inherited from their father. Jesus exposed Satan’s nature by saying, “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.”

Nobody among them could accuse Jesus as guilty of any sin. In other words, they had witnessed the impeccability of Jesus. But, they won’t believe, even just to listen to Him. Why? For the simple reason that they did not belong to God, but to their father, the devil. Thus, if you and I claim to belong to God, our Father , we must love to hear the word of God. For Jesus said, “whoever is of God hears the word of God.”

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John 8:33-38 ESV

33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. 38 I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”

33 Sumagot sila sa kanya, “Kami'y mula sa binhi ni Abraham, at kailanma'y hindi pa naging alipin ng sinuman. Bakit mo sinasabing, ‘Kayo'y magiging malaya’?” 34 Sinagot sila ni Jesus, “Katotohanang sinasabi ko sa inyo, ang bawat nagkakasala ay alipin ng kasalanan. 35 Ang alipin ay walang palagiang lugar sa sambahayan. Ang anak ay may lugar doon magpakailanman. 36 Kaya't kung kayo'y palayain ng Anak, kayo'y magiging tunay na malaya. 37 Nalalaman ko na kayo'y binhi ni Abraham; subalit pinagsisikapan ninyong ako'y patayin, sapagkat ang salita ko'y walang paglagyan sa inyo. 38 Sinasabi ko ang mga bagay na aking nakita sa aking Ama, at kayo, ginagawa naman ninyo ang mga bagay na narinig ninyo mula sa inyong ama.”

DECEIVED

The Jews were slighted upon the implications to what Jesus had said. That, by not believeing Jesus they were not free. They claimed that are free always and has never been enslaved since they were children of Abraham. It's mind-boggling that they could claim to have ‘never been enslaved to anyone.’ Have they ignored or forgotten their history? Besides, were they not aware that they were under the Romans during this time? Clearly, it is their inability to recognize their enslavement to sin.

Thus, Jesus had to explain to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.” Jesus did not deny that they were sons of Abraham by lineage but not by faith. They were deceived. They did not think that killing Jesus is murder, did they? Interestingly, Jesus used the phrase translated as "truly, truly," or "very truly." This is from a doubled use of the Aramaic word amēn. In many cultures today, it is usedin prayer to suggest a hope that the words will be fulfilled, or that they are true.

Only the true sons of Abraham are not practicing sins. As John in his epistle has explained, “ Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.” [1 John 3:4-10]

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John 8:31-32 ESV

31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

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31 Pagkatapos ay sinabi ni Jesus sa mga Judiong sumasampalataya sa kanya, “Kung kayo'y mananatili sa aking salita, tunay ngang kayo'y mga alagad ko. 32 At inyong malalaman ang katotohanan, at ang katotohanan ang magpapalaya sa inyo.”

THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE

Despite the strong opposition from the Jews, there was a number among the crowd who believed Him. He said to them, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.” It’s one thing to profess belief and it’s another thing to ‘abide in His words.’ The real measure of being a follower of is in his commitment to remain in His words. There is neither vacillation nor equivocation about his devotion to obey His words.

His words is the truth. [John 17:17]And, the internalization of His words will set us free. Definitely, a man who ascertained the truth , not only cognitively but also experientially, is secured. Nobody can deceive a disciple who knows the truth, even the father of lies.[John 8:44] In fact, Jesus thwarted the lies of Satan by using the scriptures when He was tempted in the wilderness.

We live in a shaky and volatile world. Fake news and lies are flooding in the internet. Many scammers and predators are seeking ways to deceive many. But, His words is the lamp unto our feet and a light unto our paths. [ Pa 119:105] so that there will be no stumbling.

How is our discipline in reading and meditating God’s word? Let us not forget that His word is the sword of the Spirit.[Eph 6:17] “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” [Heb 4:12]

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John 8:21-30 ESV

21 So he said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.” 22 So the Jews said, “Will he kill himself, since he says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” 23 He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” 25 So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning. 26 I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.” 27 They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father. 28 So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. 29 And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” 30 As he was saying these things, many believed in him.

LIFT UP THE SON OF GOD

When Jesus said He is going away, his critics began to suspect that Jesus means something more drastic than long-distance travel. They thought Jesus will end his life. Why? Many cases that philosophers and spiritualists during that era committed suicide. This should solve their problem should Jesus will do so,

Jesus speaking to them is as a man talking to ants. His words were foreign to them, were they no? As the light of the world, Jesus claims to be able to speak of things which others on earth have never seen. Thus Jesus said, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”

Jesus addressed their spirituality. Jesus claims were becoming  more outrageous, and His attacks more pointed. Thus, they countered with more insults and accusations. The men attacking Him are “from below” or part of the "the world," which carries a dual meaning. "The world" may refer either to the human, fallen, sinful mind-set or this physical realm. Both descriptions apply to the men Jesus is referring unto. But primarily, He meant that this terrestrial world is where these men [made of dust] are from where they were born. Jesus has His eternal home in heaven, and is not bound by the sins and errors of His critics. As  Heb 4:15 says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

Their unbelief and stubbornness is their undoing. Instead of putting Jesus down, they should have lifted Him up, by believing Him. Why? Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me.”

This intense conversation between Jesus and his detractors shows us the great disparity between God and man. God is so lofty while man is so base, is it not? May, we recognize that like The Jews, we are overwhelmed by the claims of Christ that are characterized with impossibility. However, we should say like the confused and doubtful father, “I believe; help my unbelief!”[Mark 9:24] Is it possible for a man to become God? Definitely not! But, it’s possible for God to become man because with God nothing is impossible.

John 8:15-20 ESV

15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. 17 In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. 18 I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” 19 They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” 20 These words he spoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple; but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.

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15 Humahatol kayo ayon sa laman; ako'y hindi humahatol sa kaninuman. 16 At kung ako'y humatol man, ang hatol ko'y totoo, sapagkat hindi ako nag-iisa, kundi ako at ang Ama na nagsugo sa akin. 17 Maging sa inyong kautusan ay nasusulat na ang patotoo ng dalawang tao ay totoo. 18 Ako ang nagpapatotoo tungkol sa aking sarili, at ang Amang nagsugo sa akin ay nagpapatotoo tungkol sa akin.” 19 Kaya't sinabi nila sa kanya, “Nasaan ang iyong Ama?” Sumagot si Jesus, “Hindi nga ninyo ako kilala o ang aking Ama. Kung ako'y inyong kilala ay kilala rin sana ninyo ang aking Ama.” 20 Sinabi niya ang mga salitang ito sa kabang-yaman habang nagtuturo siya sa templo. Subalit walang taong humuli sa kanya, sapagkat hindi pa dumating ang kanyang oras.

KNOW JESUS, KNOW THE FATHER

The fundamental problem of the Jews is in their myopic and skewed perspective. They evaluate the claims of Christ through the lenses of the flesh. Jesus said to them, “You judge in the flesh.” Thus, it is important for us to realize that spiritual understanding is initiated by Christ who God the Spirit.

They believed that Jesus’ claim is in violation of the law. Thus Jesus said to them, “In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” Even then, they won’t received and instead questioned Him “Who is your Father” Did they deride Him because they thought He was a son out of wedlock and Joseph was not His true father? Perhaps.

The key of knowing God is to believe in Jesus, that He is the one sent by the Father in heaven. This true faith will open the flood gates of understanding and knowing the Father. Simply put, Jesus is the revelation of God the Father. This is the very reason Jesus has talked of certainty to the knowledge of the truth. He said, “if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me.”

Friends and brethren, to believe in Jesus is the only key to knowing God. He who doesn’t know is the one who kept refusing to believe like the Jews. We are challenged to believe the gospel more than understanding it. It’s a good news not an idea or opinion, isn’t it? This knowledge of God is as the ocean too deep for skeptic theologian diver to fathom but as a swimming pool to a believing child to enjoy.

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