Jesus You Have a Devil - John 8:52

The apostle John wrote how Jesus asked the Jewish people who were questioning Him, “Which of you convinces me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do you not believe me? He that is of God hears God's words: you therefore hear them not, because you are not of God. Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that you are a Samaritan, and have a devil? Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honor my Father, and you do dishonor me. And I seek not my own glory: there is one that seeks and judges. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death”, and in chapter eight and verse fifty-two of his book John shared how the religious leaders told Jesus, “Now we know that you have a devil” where we read:

Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that you have a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and you say, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.

The verse reads, “Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that you have a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets;” John began with the words, “Then said the Jews unto him” which means “at that time uttered, declared and proclaimed the Jewish people by origin, birth and religion to Jesus”, “Now we know” or “at this time and presently we, the Jewish people who were questioning Jesus, perceive, notice, discover and discern” “that you have a devil” which means “that you, Jesus, own and possess an evil spirit or messenger and minister of the devil”. “Abraham” whose name means “father of a multitude” and was “the founder of the Jewish nation” “is dead” or “exists as perished and without life and breath” “and the prophets” which means “and the ones who were moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman, solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation ”. John shared how the “Jewish people” responded to Jesus' words by referring to the “death” of “Abraham” and “the prophets” of old.

The verse continues, “and you say, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.” John added the words, “and you say” which means “and you, Jesus, utter, declare and proclaim”, “if a man keep my saying” or “whether a person who is male or female observe, reserve, attends to carefully and takes care of my, Jesus', uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “he shall never taste of death” which means “that person whether male or female will not in any way partake of, perceive the flavor of, feel, make trial of or experience that which is pertaining to that separation (whether natural or violent) of the soul and the body by which the life on earth is ended”. John shared how the “Jewish people” referred to the words of Jesus pertaining to “never tasting death” by “keeping” His words.

When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn how these “Jewish people” again were having difficulty distinguishing between that which is physical and that which is spiritual. Jesus was speaking of “spiritual death” which is separation from God, and anyone who “observes” His words will be “saved” from that “separation”. It was true that “Abraham and the prophets” died a physical death, however, Jesus knew those who “heard and kept” His “saying” would be spared from the “spiritual death” that follows for unbelievers in Him. The “Jewish people” who confronted Jesus determined He was possessed by a “devil”, but they were wrong, and anyone who yields their life to Jesus will discover He is ready to save and grant them everlasting life with God.

Next time John shares how the religious leaders ask Jesus, “Are you greater than our father Abraham, which is dead?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".