Where Are You From - Below or Above?
Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | May 6, 2024 | John 8:21-24
KEY VERSE:
But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. …if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.” John 8:23-24 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
In John 8:21-24, Jesus confronts the Jews about their spiritual origins, challenging them to consider whether they are aligned with God's kingdom or the world. Jesus' words challenge the Jews to consider their spiritual origins. He contrasts His divine origin (from above) with their earthly origin (from below), highlighting the difference between His mission and theirs. Jesus asserts His divine origin, claiming to be from above and not of this world, and warns that those who do not believe in Him will die in their sins. This emphasises the spiritual consequences of rejecting Him and the need for faith in His identity.
Jesus came to deliver us from sin and its consequences. God sent Jesus as our Saviour and Lord. Jesus makes the importance of his coming clear: Those who die in their sins will not come to be with him in heaven. Unless people believe that he is God with us, they will die in their sins. Jesus came from God to bring us back to God. He is not from this world and is not bound by this world. He is from above and will return to take us home with him. This passage prompts us to reflect on our spiritual origins and the importance of aligning ourselves with God's will. Jesus emphasises the importance of believing in Him as the Son of God and your saviour, and you will not die in your sin.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
The important question is “Where are you from”? Where do you see evidence of your spiritual origin - from below (earthly desires) or from above (spiritual priorities)? Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as your saviour, and follow Him wholeheartedly. If you have believed in him, let your life reflect the love and grace of God to the world.
PRAYER:
Father, thank you for my faith and for all those who helped me come to faith. I know that my trust in Jesus as your Son and my Savior has changed my eternal destiny. Thank you for giving me a way to escape my sin and its guilt and stand before you as your righteous child. I know that these gifts come from your love and grace. Thank you! In Jesus' name. Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: BELOW
The Greek word translated as "below" in this passage is "κάτω" (kato), which means "under" or "beneath."
Jesus uses this word to contrast earthly matters with heavenly truths. When Jesus says, "You are from below; I am from above," he highlights the distinction between the earthly origins of the Pharisees and His divine origin as the Son of God. By emphasizing this difference, Jesus underscores the spiritual divide between those who belong to the world and those who belong to God.
Reflections:
Do we trust in him as the only source of salvation and eternal life? Like the Jews in Jesus' time, we are called to believe in him and follow him faithfully, acknowledging his lordship over our lives.
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