John 8:21-30
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.
Reflection
Jesus’ words are stirring a hostile reaction from the Jews, but rather than backing down, Jesus intensifies his claims. Jesus says that he is from above, they are from below; they are of this world, he is not of this world. They charged Jesus with sin, but the truth is that they will remain in their sins unless they believe in him (John 8:24).
The gospel of grace assaults self-reliant religion and confronts self-exaltation. Those who depend on themselves react with hatred for what they see in Jesus, and yet others will see something compelling and wonderful about his grace. It is impossible to predict how people will respond to the grace of Christ. He can save anyone, anytime, anywhere.
Hebrews 6:13-20
13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” 15 And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. 16 For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. 17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. 19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Reflection
God made promises to Abraham and reinforced them with an oath (Heb. 6:13–14). Abraham believed God and “obtained the promise” (v. 15), and the readers of this letter are to do the same. God stooped to meet us in our weakness; as if his word were not enough, he added his oath to his promise. Why? So that we, as heirs of the promise to Abraham and as believers in Jesus, “might have strong encouragement” (v. 18). God does not want us to doubt his salvation promises.
At the same time, he spurs us on so that we might “hold fast to the hope set before us” (v. 18). Our hope is secure —like an “anchor” (v. 19) that Jesus took with him into the Most Holy Place in the heavenly temple when he returned to the Father’s presence. Our souls can find “strong encouragement” (v. 18) because this hope is “sure and steadfast” (v. 19). He went to heaven “as a forerunner on our behalf” (v. 20); therefore, we will surely follow him there.
Psalm 119:76
76 Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant.
The promises of God will never fail, and are meant to provide hope and strength to endure the fight of faith. Battle the doubts that creep into your heart by praying the promises of God, asking the Holy Spirit to stir up your faith in the God of your salvation.