The Treasury is the Royal Stoa
John 8:20-59
20 These words he spoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple; but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.
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.
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”
34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.
36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
37 I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. 38 I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”
39 They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, 40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. 41 You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.”
42 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.
43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word.
44 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.
45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?
47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
48 The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?”
49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. 50 Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”
52 The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?”
54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ 55 But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word.
56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.”
57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?”
58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.
We know the Gospel of John and we know the 8th Chapter. Almost too well. Nothing is new.
Why? Why did John put these the woman in Adultery in the Life of Wonderful Jesus together with being stoned? We read at the end of John's Gospel, Chapter 21, Jesus' life was so involved with so many events happening that is was perpetually confusing.
And in the Second Century John was asked by Bishop Papias of Hierapolis if John approved of the other Gospels and found them to be conflicting. John replied, having lived with Jesus for all of his ministry, the other Gospels were indeed Gospel and to be believed. John was confirming many, many aspects of the day surrounded Jesus all the time.
Why did John place Jesus with the adulterous woman and with the stoning event? Jesus protects the woman and says she is free to go. Jesus displays being God and this chapter gives witness to John Chapter 20 - God's Sacrifice for the world.
Luke 10:27
He answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Why wasn't this Good Friday? Jesus clearly demonstrates He wants Life. And Jesus is capable of saving Himself. So why wasn't this Good Friday? To demonstrate Jesus is God. Because the High Priests have not told the Sanhedrin Council yet Jesus' death is for the sake of the Nation. They have not shamed themselves yet with a false trial leaving fair judges uncalled.
And Jesus has just shown us - Love yourself - do justice for yourself - is as important as doing justice for a neighbor.
John has very correctly placed Jesus in this Chapter.
Aren't we Privileged to live in the New Covenant, when dreams of seeing Abraham would be met with interest and warmth and Love!!!
Abba,
Blessed are You, Lord Father God,
Giving us this Good Shepherd.
Jesus the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His Life for the sheep. Jesus teaches us Abundant Life.
Jesus restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His Name's Sake.
This Good Shepherd cares for the sheep, sees the wolf coming and stays. He does not leave or forsake us. Jesus does not let the wolf snatch them nor scatters them. Jesus tells us, "I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me."
Jesus shows us our Father. Jesus has compassion for us, because we are harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Scriptures tell us when a man loves the Lord, even his enemies are at peace with Him. Jesus says, I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.
In His Name we place our cares, our gratitude in Your Hands.
We pray for healing for our friend who is still alive and improving. Jesus said always to pray with hope. Dee and Cindy and I met and prayed so earnestly to not have tree damage from Hurricane Ike. We couldn't leave I was pregnant. It was very earnest prayer in 2008. Thank You the tornado spared the house in my backyard. This year I lost a tree and Dee did as well. The trees were placed on the ground by Your Hand. There was no damage. The Prayer You Answered 11 years ago held forth with Love.
You answered the healing of 89 year old Priest from heart failure. You answered the man who had no one to pray for him with oral cancer - healed.
We have met and just as earnestly prayed for Elliott. Believing if You stop hurricanes and tornadoes and continue the prayer 11 years later, our heart felt love and affection for Elliott and Harby and their children, will be Heard and Answered for all Goodness.
We join with all the Nation praying The Lord's Prayer and the people of Jesus praying for more Heaven on this earth, to see His Good Will.
We pray for good health to surround us.
Amen and Amen in Jesus Christ the Lord.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †
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