There are so many interesting things in our text today, from the insults that the religious leader hurls at Jesus to maybe the most Messianic thing Jesus ever said. But as I was reading, I was taken aback by the truth that Jesus shares with us. The devil is a liar. Every word from his mouth is a lie. That means this great truth – temptation is a lie. Always, always, always. When we understand what temptation is (a lie), we are better and more able to stand against it. Temptation promises us life, but it results in death. Temptation is a lie.

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Good morning, and happy Thursday! It’s great to be with you again as we continue exploring the Gospel of John. Today, we’re going to cover quite a bit of scripture—John 8:39-59—so let’s dive right in. This passage is packed with profound truths, and I’m excited to unpack it together.

Starting with verse 39, the religious leaders respond to Jesus by declaring, “Abraham is our father.” But Jesus challenges them, saying, “If you were truly Abraham’s children, you would do the works that Abraham did. Instead, you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth from God.” This sharp contrast highlights the fact that being Abraham’s descendants isn’t just a matter of bloodline, but of actions and faith. Abraham was a man of faith, yet they are acting with hostility toward the very one God sent. Jesus goes on to say that they are doing the works of their “father,” but He doesn’t mean Abraham—He’s hinting at something much darker.

In verse 41, they try to defend themselves by saying, “We are not illegitimate children; God is our Father.” But Jesus again confronts them, stating that if God were truly their Father, they would love Him, because He came from God. Instead, they reject Him because they cannot accept His word. Jesus doesn’t mince words here. He makes a bold statement: “You are from your father, the devil, and you choose to follow his desires.” The devil, Jesus explains, is a liar and a murderer from the beginning, the father of all lies. This is a heavy accusation, but Jesus is making a vital point—those who reject the truth and follow the path of lies are aligning themselves with the enemy.

The dialogue escalates in verse 48, where the Jews resort to name-calling, accusing Jesus of being a Samaritan and demon-possessed. Jesus ignores the insult about being a Samaritan and calmly says, “I do not have a demon. I honor my Father, and you dishonor me.” He emphasizes that He does not seek His own glory, but the glory of God, and He assures them that whoever keeps His word will never see death.

This, of course, angers them even more, and they challenge Him: “Now we know you have a demon! Abraham and the prophets died, and yet you say, ‘Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.’ Are you greater than Abraham?” Jesus’ response is monumental. He declares, “Before Abraham was, I AM.” With this statement, Jesus is not only asserting His pre-existence but also identifying Himself with the divine name of God—”I AM”—the name God used when speaking to Moses in the burning bush. This is a direct claim to deity, and the Jews understand its significance. They immediately pick up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus slips away.

This passage contains such powerful truths. First, we see Jesus exposing the lies and false beliefs of the religious leaders, who claim to be God’s people yet act in opposition to His truth. He calls out their spiritual blindness, pointing out that they are aligning themselves with the devil, the father of lies. The devil’s nature is to lie, deceive, and lead people away from God. This is a crucial reminder for us—temptation is always a lie. It promises something it can never deliver.

One of my former bishops used to say, “Temptation promises short-term life but results in long-term death. Discipline promises short-term pain but results in long-term life.” This couldn’t be more true. Temptation tries to convince us that it will bring happiness or satisfaction, but in reality, it leads to destruction. Whether it’s pride, anger, lust, or greed—sin always leads to death. If we can recognize that temptation is a lie, we are better equipped to stand against it. When the devil speaks, he’s lying. His language is deception. If his lips are moving, you can bet he’s not telling the truth.

As Jesus explains, those who belong to God hear the words of God, but those who refuse to hear are not from God. This is a tough but necessary truth. It challenges us to examine what voices we’re listening to in our lives—God’s truth or the enemy’s lies.

Lastly, let’s focus on Jesus’ profound declaration, “Before Abraham was, I AM.” Jesus is revealing His divine nature, affirming that He is God in the flesh, eternal and unchanging. This moment is a revelation of His true identity as the Savior and Son of God.

As we close today, remember this: temptation is always a lie. The devil will try to pull you away with false promises, but Jesus is the truth that sets us free. He is the great “I AM,” and through Him, we can find real freedom, life, and victory over sin.

Thank you for being with us today! Tomorrow, we’ll dive into chapter 9, where Jesus heals a man born blind. I can’t wait to explore that powerful story with you. Have a blessed day!