March 26, 2026
Judge Me, O God - Part 4
John 8:51-55
03/26/2026
51 ``Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my
word, he will never see death.''
52 The Jews said to him, ``Now we know that you have
a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet
you say, `If anyone keeps my word, he will never
taste death.'
53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died?
And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself
out to be?''
54 Jesus answered, ``If I glorify myself, my glory is
nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom
you say, `He is our God.'
55 But you have not known him. 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 keep his word.''
(ESV)
Last Sunday, which is called ``Judica Sunday'' because we
desire that God judge us and declare us righteous, we prayed:
Almighty God, by Your great goodness mercifully look
upon Your people that we may be governed and preserved
evermore in body and soul.
As Christians, we agree that the truth of God's Word seems
incredible. Our parents, our friends, our neighbors pass away.
We can drive outside of town to visit their graves, even as we
remember their lives. Yet, we confess that we have life
everlasting in Christ Jesus. We will sleep the rest of temporal
death, but are alive in Christ.
If you are uncomfortable with this truth, you are not alone.
The Jews with whom Jesus was debating had the same reaction.
``Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word,
he will never see death.'' The Jews said to him, ``Now
we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the
prophets, yet you say, `If anyone keeps my word, he
will never taste death.' Are you greater than our
father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who
do you make yourself out to be?'' Jesus answered, ``If
I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father
who glorifies me, of whom you say, `He is our God.'
But you have not known him. 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 keep his word.''
May our Lord grant us faith to hear His Word. Amen.