(Read John 8:23-29)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing to teach on “Minimizing Your Humanity and Maximizing Your Divinity.” We have already looked at a passage in John 5 and another in John 6 where Jesus minimized His perfect humanity in order to maximize the Father’s infinite divinity. Today we will look at another passage in John 8.
Jesus said, “You are from below; I am from above. You belong to this world; I do not. That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I AM who I claim to be, you will die in your sins.” To which the people responded, “Who are you?” Jesus replied, “The one I have always claimed to be. I have much to say about you and much to condemn, but I won’t. For I say only what I have heard from the one who sent me, and he is completely truthful.” But they still didn’t understand that he was talking about his Father. So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I AM he. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me. And the one who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him.” Then many who heard him say these things believed in him.
So what does this mean to you today? Let’s take a closer look at this passage and find out.
1. We must remain cognizant of our duality. We are both citizens of this world and citizens of heaven at the same time. We are human, but the divine lives in us. We are in the world, but we are not of the world (John 15:19). Jesus said, “You are from below; I am from above. You belong to this world; I do not.” Jesus’ success in this world came from His ability to remain focused on, and to receive His marching orders from heaven. You and I are supposed to live the same way.
2. Purpose restrains us. People who have no vision, and who do not understand their purpose in life, live unrestrained and they try just about anything (Prov 29:18). But those who know their purpose don’t do everything, they are restrained by their laser-focus. Jesus said, “I have much to say about you and much to condemn, but I won’t. For I say only what I have heard from the one who sent me.” Jesus did not say everything He wanted to say, because He did not have clearance from the Father to say it. Paul taught us that while it might seem like we have the right to do anything we want, everything is not beneficial, therefore we should focus our efforts on doing those things that align with our divine purpose (1 Cor 6:12).
3. Everyone won’t understand you or your motives in the moment. Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I AM he.” Jesus knew He was misunderstood by man, but He also knew He was pleasing the Father and the time would come when men understood what He was doing. So He did not focus on pleasing men, He focused on pleasing the Father, and He knew His character would stand the scrutiny of history. For you and I this means that when posed with a choice between pleasing God and pleasing man, we must seek to please God every time. When it is all said and done, if we lived our lives to please God, history will be kind to us.
4. God is always there. Jesus said, “I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me. And the one who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me.” Jesus never put His humanity above or ahead of the divinity living in Him, and as He lived a submitted life He enjoyed the presence, peace and power of the Father everywhere He went. When you are submitted to God, and you minimize your humanity in order to maximize the divinity living in you, you can rest assured that God will be with you everywhere you go, flowing through you powerfully by His grace.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for taking the time to teach me about Your amazing Son, my Savior, Jesus the Christ. He was the only perfect human to ever walk the planet. Jesus was perfection personified, but He refused to operate in His perfect humanity. Jesus was fully cognizant of the fact that He was both human and divine. He was in the world, but not of the world. He operated in the earth, but He received His orders from heaven. He only did what He saw You do. He only said what He heard You say. This caused Him to be misunderstood by many while He was in the earth. But when posed with a choice between pleasing You and pleasing men, Jesus chose to please You every time. I will live just like Jesus lived. I will say what I hear You say. I will do what You lead me to do. I will go where You want me to go. And I will restrain myself from doing things that You have not given me clearance to do. I am human and divine. I operate in the earth, but I receive my orders from heaven. I am a God-pleaser and not a man-pleaser, and while this may cause me to be occasionally misunderstood, I keep my trust in You to keep my reputation intact, so You can be glorified through me. I seek to please You and You bless me richly. Not because I deserve it, but only because of Your grace. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
