Monday, April 29 - John 8

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

   The religious leaders accusing Jesus of being from the Devil boldly declare:  "We have Abraham as our father."

   Jesus responds with "if you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, but now you seek to kill me."

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    With these words Jesus challenges what it means to be a "son of Abraham."  And in God's eyes it ultimately has very little to do with one's lineage, but rather has to do with one's faith.  A true "son of Abraham" believes that Jesus is the Son of God -- the Messiah -- the Savior of the world.  A true "son of Abraham" understands that Abraham's greatest descendent -- the Christ -- is worthy of our trust.

   Therefore, the religious leaders who accuse Jesus, though they tout themselves as blessed "sons of Abraham," are really just his blood relatives.   Nothing more.  Nothing less.

   In modern days, the term Christian is frequently used.  And some think about this name in the same way the Jewish religous leaders thought about "son of Abraham."  That is, for many, to be a Christian is about one's family heritage -- is about doing the rituals of the Christian faith.

   But Jesus makes clear that to be His follower has little to do with traditions and rituals and everything to do with faith.  A Christian lives His name when he honors Christ as Lord.

   And what does it mean to honor Christ as Lord?   Two things:   1) to believe in Him and lay our lives into His care.   2)  to serve Him with the actions of faith -- that is, holy living, and compassionate love.