Jesus Is the Light for Your Life, Part 15

TEXT: John 8:12-47

Henry Ward Beecher said, "There are joys which long to be ours. God sends ten thousand truths, which come about us like birds seeking inlet; but we are shut up to them, and so they bring us nothing, but sit and sing awhile upon the roof, and then fly away."

After telling the Jewish religious leaders that they are children of, being influenced by, and in bondage to the devil, He gives them the opportunity to respond. He says, "Which of you convinceth me of sin?" The word "convinceth" means to charge or accuse someone of wrongdoing. Basically, Jesus is telling them, 'Which of you can honestly say about me the things that I have said about you?' These are not the words of someone who is a deceiver or con-man as the religious leaders tried to accuse Jesus of being.

Apparently, they are unable to come up with anything to say against Jesus. (They are probably still stunned over someone having the guts to tell them that they are the children of the devil.) So, Jesus asks a follow-up question: "And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?" Since the Jews could not accuse Him of wrongdoing or falsehood, they must consider why they do not believe what He is saying. Why do they feel such a hostility and anger toward Him? Might it be because He makes them feel guilty over the way they have been running things, using religion as a business, as a front, to mask the ungodliness in their hearts.