Jn 8:31-42
31Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, ‘You will become free’?” 34Jesus answered them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. 35A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. 36So if a son frees you, then you will truly be free. 37I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you. 38I tell you what I have seen in the Father’s presence; then do what you have heard from the Father.”
39They answered and said to him, “Our father is Abraham.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works of Abraham. 40But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God; Abraham did not do this. 41You are doing the works of your father!” [So] they said to him, “We are not illegitimate. We have one Father, God.” 42Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here; I did not come on my own, but he sent me.”
Reflection:
DESCENDANTS OF ABRAHAM. The Jews claim that they are descendants of Abraham. They call Abraham their father. But Jesus answers to remind them that, if they are indeed Abraham’s children, they should be doing the works of Abraham. Abraham was known for his obedience to God’s will. He listened to God. He followed God’s will to the point of sacrificing his only son Isaac.
The Pharisees cannot be imitating Abraham. They harbor hatred, entertain evil thoughts, and plan murder—all this is unbecoming of the sons of Abraham. To think of doing harm to someone is to be slaves to sin.
As Christians, we claim that we are brothers and sisters of Jesus. We proclaim that we are children of God. To prove our claims, we must be Christlike and godly in our words and actions. We cannot be children of God if we reject God’s commandments and refuse God’s will for us. We cannot be brothers and sisters of Jesus if we hurt our fellow men and women by sarcasm and indifference.
What does it mean for you to be a child of God?
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