Scripture:

Then Jesus said to those Judeans who had believed him, “If you continue to follow my teaching, you are really my disciples 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 “We are descendants of Abraham,” they replied, “and have never been anyone’s slaves! How can you say, ‘You will become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “I tell you the solemn truth, everyone who practices sin is a slave of sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the family forever, but the son remains forever. 36 So if the son sets you free, you will be really free. 37 I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. But you want to kill me, because my teaching makes no progress among you. 38 I am telling you the things I have seen while with the Father; as for you, practice the things you have heard from the Father!”

39 They answered him, “Abraham is our father!” Jesus replied, “If you are Abraham’s children, you would be doing the deeds of Abraham. 40 But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth I heard from God. Abraham did not do this! 41 You people are doing the deeds of your father.”

Then they said to Jesus, “We were not born as a result of immorality! We have only one Father, God himself.” 42 Jesus replied, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come from God and am now here. I have not come on my own initiative, but he sent me. 43 Why don’t you understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot accept my teaching. 44 You people are from your father the devil, and you want to do what your father desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I am telling you the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Who among you can prove me guilty of any sin? If I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 The one who belongs to God listens and responds to God’s words. You don’t listen and respond, because you don’t belong to God.”

48 The Judeans replied, “Aren’t we correct in saying that you are a Samaritan and are possessed by a demon?” 49 Jesus answered, “I am not possessed by a demon, but I honor my Father – and yet you dishonor me. 50 I am not trying to get praise for myself. There is one who demands it, and he also judges. 51 I tell you the solemn truth, if anyone obeys my teaching, he will never see death.”

52 Then the Judeans responded, “Now we know you’re possessed by a demon! Both Abraham and the prophets died, and yet you say, ‘If anyone obeys my teaching, he will never experience death.’ 53 You aren’t greater than our father Abraham who died, are you? And the prophets died too! Who do you claim to be?” 54 Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory is worthless. The one who glorifies me is my Father, about whom you people say, ‘He is our God.’ 55 Yet you do not know him, but I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know him, and I obey his teaching. 56 Your father Abraham was overjoyed to see my day, and he saw it and was glad.”

57 Then the Judeans replied, “You are not yet fifty years old! Have you seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the solemn truth, before Abraham came into existence, I am!” 59 Then they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out from the temple area.

Observation:

What fascinates me about this text is that this exchange is not with Pharisees that want to kill Jesus, but with "those Judeans who had believed him." Here is Jesus, with some people who like what they are hearing, and rather than nurturing that he responds with in-your-face, upfront, aggressive teaching. Why? I can think of a few reasons.

1) Belief is different from saving faith. Just because someone believes in something doesn't mean that they are trusting in it. This is evidenced and proven by the conversation that follows (and culminates with them picking up stones to kill Jesus). They believed, mentally, with what Jesus was teaching, but they didn't believe in their hearts enough to follow him.

2) Conversion and saving faith is a spiritual work that cannot be stopped once it has begun. Jesus wasn't afraid of saying the hard things because he knew that, if faith was genuine, a person wouldn't be pushed away. Difficult statements may push away those who sit on the fence or pretenders, but true followers wrestle with the complexities of God rather than run from Him.

3) The gospel is offensive and freeing at the same time. The gospel is offensive because it requires people to admit that they are in bondage to Satan and that they need help. This is a direct attack against our pride. The gospel is, however, also beautifully freeing as we acknowledge that Jesus isn't pointing out our captivity to mock us, but to free us. 

Application:

Although being offensive for the sake of being offensive is never a good thing, I shouldn't be afraid when truth offends. If I offend, with my demeanor and attitude, then I need to repent. If the gospel, the truth of God, the truth of the Bible offends, however... so be it. Truth is offensive. I would rather stand before God and have him tell me that I offended people one time too many than to stand before God and have him tell me that I offended him because I was afraid to speak of the truth.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to be a man of grace and truth. Help me to speak the truth in love, knowing that it is impossible to share an offensive gospel without some people getting upset, but that I should always do so in love.