Who Is Your Father? Sunday 8/21/2022

Jesus had been sharing with those in the crowd who had recently believed in Him. He was teaching them how they could become true disciples by abiding in His word. He shared with them their capacity to be free from the slavery of sin (vs.30-36). However, starting in verse 37, this conversation is clearly with the religious leaders and Pharisees who did not believe in Him. The tone of Jesus’ message changes, and it is directed at those who are conspiring to kill Him. In true form, Jesus addresses why they are doing this rather than what they are doing. In this portion of scripture, three types of fathers are identified. The first is Abraham, a natural father or earthly father. The next is the Father of lies, also known as Satan, and finally, God, the Father who sent His Son. They speak the truth. If we embrace the truth Jesus is speaking, we are less likely to embrace the father of lies. Satan is a deceiver who wants us to see his lies as truth. One of the greatest deceptions of our times is the idea that we all can choose our own truth. The reality is that we are either embracing the truth found in Jesus or the father of lies. We must decide who our father will be. Unlike our earthly father, whom we do not choose, we can choose our spiritual parentage.