Read John 8:2–20
Here we witness another exchange between Jesus and the Pharisees, where Jesus defends the validity of
His testimony. This isn’t the first time He has done so. Similar encounters are seen in John 5 and 7. It may seem
repetitive, but there’s a reason for it. Jesus is about to make astonishing claims about His divine nature, and He needs to lay a foundation for His credibility. If you were to tell someone that everything they believed is wrong, wouldn’t you want to ensure they trusted you first? That’s what Jesus is doing here.
The Pharisees challenge Him, saying, “Your testimony is not valid” (8:13), but Jesus refutes their accusation by pointing out that His testimony is valid because He knows where He came from and where He is going (8:14). Jesus emphasizes that His authority comes directly from God the Father, establishing that His words are not just claims, but truth. He tells them, “If you knew me, you would also know my Father” (8:19). This is profound. Jesus is saying that to truly know Him is to know God Himself.
The Pharisees’ rejection of Jesus wasn’t just a refusal to believe in Him—it was a refusal to know God. Jesus came to reveal the Father to us. He is the light of the world (8:12), shining truth into the darkness of misunderstanding and doubt. When we come to know Jesus, we don’t just gain knowledge about Him.
We come into a relationship with the Father. This relationship is not based on empty words but on the truth that Jesus speaks with authority given by God. To know Jesus is to know the Father because they are one in essence, mission, and love. This passage reminds us of the deep unity between Jesus and the Father, and it calls us to trust in His divine testimony.
Begin praying with Psalm 9:10:
“Those who know your name trust in you
because you have not abandoned
those who seek you, Lord.”