They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
{‘Before Abraham Was, I Am’ -Jesus says this later in v58 but it is the key to today’s talk.}
Comment: There is one sense in which all people are ‘the children of God’ because He is the Creator. Here the people opposing Jesus were claiming to be a special sub-group of God’s children – they were the descendants via Isaac of the one to whom God had promised a land, a special relationship, and whose seed would be a tremendous blessing to the whole world. They were in Abraham’s line! Jesus says ‘No, your father is the devil. And I will tell you how I know. God sent Me, and you refuse to listen!’ That must have been hard to hear! More, tomorrow!
Prayer: Thank You for Your generous offer of becoming Your children.
As I read it! 