Do you bear a family resemblance? The crowd around Jesus was claiming Abraham and even God as their father, but Jesus could not see a likeness. The crowd was turning into a mob and seemed to bear a likeness to someone far less positive, someone who thrives on violence and lies. When we claim to be part of God's family, do we bear a family resemblance? How might God be inviting us to more clearly reflect God's likeness?

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For Reflection:

The crowd claims to be children of Abraham, which in their understanding is a golden ticket into God's family. Jesus says that they must be spiritually reborn and hold onto his teachings (v31).

- What are some other factors that people today might mistakenly think guarantees them a place in God's family?

- Jesus mentions their love of violence and lies as evidence of who their true father is. What would you expect to see in true children of God? How might Jesus be inviting you to grow to be more like that?

Daily Devo | The Truth Will Set You Free (John 8:30-36)

This famous saying of Jesus is quoted by many but often in ways that fail to understand the conditions that Jesus placed on this possibility of freedom. Most importantly, Jesus said that this truth and freedom would come to those who faithfully follow his teachings. Believing in Jesus, like the crowds in this passage, would not be enough. This same crowd would later attempt to stone Jesus. Instead, truth and freedom will come to those who persevere in following Jesus.

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For Reflection:

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

- People sometimes feel that the Bible is filled with restrictions on our freedom, yet Jesus insists that following him will actually lead to greater freedom. How have you experienced this tension around freedom in your life?

- Is there anything you might consider saying "no" to, even for a time, in order to experience greater freedom -- perhaps for this Lenten season?

Still speaking to the crowd and the religious leaders, Jesus makes yet another appeal to any who might change their minds. Even so, Jesus knows that those who are stuck with their heads in this world will not understand. Only those who are open to what God is doing will be able to recognize that Jesus is leading them to God. Many, however, will not recognize who Jesus is until he is lifted up, lifted up on a cross.

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https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

What you can see often depends on where you are looking.

- The first thing that Jesus says can change our perspective is if we believe that he is who he claims to be (v24). How has faith in Jesus changed how you look at the world and yourself? What are you able to now "see" that you were blind to in the past?

- The second thing that Jesus says can change our perspective is to see him lifted up, on a cross (v28). What does the cross say to you? How does the cross change your perspective about God, others, and yourself?

"Do you want to get well?" At first, it sounds like a strange question - especially when Jesus asks a man who's been suffering for 38 years. But what if that question isn't as simple as it seems? What if, deep down, there's a hidden payoff to staying stuck?

This sermon explores the surprising ways we resist healing, even while we long for it, and how Jesus offers freedom that's not just about getting better - but about truly living. What might happen if we dared to answer him honestly?

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👉🏻 Sermons in the "Witness" series: https://tinyurl.com/3c8564ku

👉🏻 Dive deeper into John: https://tinyurl.com/4vcwrfv8

Jesus earlier used the Feast of Passover to highlight how he was the true bread of life that came from heaven. Now at the Feast of Tabernacles, a feast during which the night would be lit up by four great lamps, Jesus declares that he is the true light of the world. Jesus lights up our darkness in order to lead us to a full life -- not just a life of being alive, but a life of truly living -- the fullness of life!

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

Just as God had lit up the night for Israel in the desert, Jesus offers to light up our darkness so that we might find full life (zóé rather than bios).

- How does Jesus illuminate your world in a way that leads to a full life? What darkness might have tripped you up otherwise?

- The Pharisees demand additional testimony. Jesus offers his Father as a second witness. The Spirit and John the Baptist testified earlier as well. Who have been important witnesses for you? For whom might you be an important witness today?

Shouldn't throw stones. When Jesus' religious enemies bring an adulterous woman in front of Jesus, they are trying to trap him. In order to show mercy, they believe Jesus will have to reject the Law of Moses. But if Jesus does not show mercy, he is exposed as a fraud. Either way, the support from the crowds will disappear and they will be able to arrest and kill Jesus without resistance. But Jesus finds a third way by reminding us all that we are guilty before God can cannot afford to be unmerciful to one another.

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For Reflection:

Rather than take the options presented to him, Jesus takes a third way.

- What do you imagine Jesus might have written in the dirt? Why do you imagine that he slowed everything down by delaying his answer to them?

- Jesus was deeply concerned with her sin, as reflected in his final words to her. But he was also deeply concerned to use the truth to heal and not harm. How might you speak differently to others if your concern was to heal and not harm? Try to think of specific examples.

Many people lament not being able to experience the miracles of the Bible themselves. John's gospel even includes seven signs to strengthen our faith. However, even more important than the signs are the words that Jesus spoke. His miracles affected a choice few but his words continue to transform the world. In today's text, the guards sent to arrest Jesus are instead arrested themselves by the power of the truth that he speaks. Today, let's stop in wonder to appreciate the powerful, life-transforming words of Jesus!

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

The temple guards go to arrest Jesus but are instead arrested by the power of his teaching.

- Has anything Jesus said had a similar, arresting effect on you? What was it about what Jesus said? What was going on in your life at that time?

- Most of the religious leaders did not find Jesus similarly compelling. Why do you imagine that they had a different experience than the guards? When have you been resistant to what God has to say?

Have you ever been right for the wrong reason? When the Pharisees hear whispers of people believing in Jesus, they panic. Still unable to arrest Jesus, they ridicule him and what he says. But their jabs accidentally hit upon a profound truth -- that Jesus will indeed reach those Jews who are far away, and even teach the Greeks (all non-Jews), whom the Pharisees considered almost beyond hope. What they thought ridiculous is the reason we are all here to follow Jesus into life today!

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

Jesus continued to address the leaders and the crowd.

- Those who did not hold onto preconceived notions began to believe in Jesus. What are some beliefs or expectations about God that have been a hindrance to your faith, perhaps in the past? What helped you to overcome those barriers?

- Jesus said that those who believe in him would have rivers of living water (the Holy Spirit) flowing from within. What questions do you have about the Holy Spirit? What might it mean for you to cultivate a "conscious dependence on the Holy Spirit?"

There are many voices reacting to Jesus but one thing that ties them all together is confusion. The crowds are confused because they are not well-informed about current events (the plot to kill Jesus) or the Scriptures (about the Messiah). The religious leaders are well-informed but they are still confused because their knowledge hasn't made it to their hearts. They therefore do not know God and thus cannot recognize God in Jesus. There confusion can become our clarity if we seek to become better-informed and to also put into practice what we know, seeking God's Spirit at each step!

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

One thing is clear: Jesus is clearly misunderstood.

- The crowds are simply not well-informed. The do not know what is going on (the plot to kill Jesus) and do not know the Scriptures. How has your relationship with Jesus benefited from greater knowledge?

- The religious leaders do not know Jesus because they do not practice what they "know" and love is not at the heart of they do. How have devotional practices affected your relationship with Jesus? Is there a way in which God might be inviting you to trust and obey more deeply?

You might know, on some level, that money, pleasure, power, sex, and success can’t truly satisfy—but that doesn’t stop you from chasing after them. Is there a way to get out of that rut? Could God really be the answer to our deepest longings? In this episode, we step into the story of a woman whose life was defined by disappointment, only to discover that Jesus was offering her something far more profound than she ever imagined. Are you thirsting for something more? Let’s uncover the invitation we might all be missing.

· · ·

👉🏻 Sermons in the "Witness" series: https://tinyurl.com/3c8564ku

👉🏻 Dive deeper into John: https://tinyurl.com/4vcwrfv8