John 8:25-27 Then said they to him, Who are you? And Jesus said to them, Even the same that I said to you from the beginning. I. CONSISTENT (ver. 25). Probably it was desired that He should make a proclamation of Himself inconsistent with His former utterances; if so it was disappointed. All His utterances meet in Him as rays meet in the sun. This is remarkable if we consider — 1. The various and trying circumstances under which He spoke. It was often under intense suffering and great provocation, and often in answer to men who did their utmost to make Him contradict Himself. 2. The diversity in the minds and circumstances of those who reported His speeches. How different in faculties, taste, culture, habits, and angles of observation were His four biographers; and yet their reports agree. II. PROGRESSIVE (ver. 26). Christ suited His teaching to the capacities and characters of His hearers. In His mind there was an infinite treasury of truth; but His administration of it was gradual. Indeed no finite intelligence could take in all that was in the mind of Christ; it would take Eternity to unfold all His wonderful thoughts. This progressiveness — 1. Supplies a motive to stimulate human inquiry. Christ will teach you according to your capacity. The more you learn of Him, the more He will teach you. 2. Shows His suitability as a Teacher for mankind. Men have naturally a craving for knowledge; and the more they know, the more intense their craving becomes. They therefore want a teacher of boundless resources. III. DIVINE. "He that sent Me," etc. (ver. 26). He taught not human things, but the things of God — absolute realities — concerning the Divine nature, government, claims, etc. IV. NOT ALWAYS UNDERSTOOD (ver. 27). In this they represent an enormous class in every age, who understand not Christ, but misinterpret Him. Conclusion — Have we put to Christ in earnest the question, "Who art Thou?" and have we received in docility, faith, and love back into our own hearts an answer from Him? (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning. |
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