Jesus’ claim on our lives comes from His creating us. He knows what is best for us–and what destroys us. Let’s listen to Him!

¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full [more abundantly]. John 10:10

Yesterday, we read where Jesus called Himself the Light of the world in John 8:12. The Pharisees accused him of speaking for Himself, which, according to the Law, rendered His testimony invalid,

¹³ The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.”
¹⁴ Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. ¹⁵ You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. ¹⁶ But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. ¹⁷ In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. ¹⁸ I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”

Jesus’ testimony combined with the Father’s was valid–if the Pharisees accepted Jesus’ claim that God is His Father. Jesus used a familiar word, patēr, which means, “father.” My Bible capitalizes “Father” because we know that Jesus is talking about God. How? Jesus says as much in verse 54, “Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father [patēr], whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.” But, Jesus didn’t go there right away with them. In fact, they asked where His Father was,

¹⁹ Then they asked him, “Where is your father?”

Jesus’ reply was more than just about simple awareness. It had to do with perception and appreciation,

“You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”

Jesus was calling them on their lack of faith in who He said He was. Their refusal to accept His claim of Messiah and of coming from the Father was their undoing. We might say, “I would never do that.” Yet, we claim Jesus as King of the universe and Lord of our lives, but live as though everything depends upon us. If He is, indeed, our Creator, then He alone knows what is best for us, what helps us grow and what destroys us. Let’s live our lives at the direction of the One to whom we have given our lives.

Abba, I am pointing my finger, which means that I have three others pointing back at me! There have been many times that I do not consult You, I ignore You, and sometimes I downright disobey You, all because I do not trust You fully. Increase my faith, Lord, even if it takes hard times. I will look to You all the more quickly. Amen.