I declare what I have seen in the Father’s presence; as for you, you should do what you have heard from the Father.” They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing what Abraham did, but now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. -John 8:38-40 NRSV
I love how Abraham is called the Father of the faith. In his life we do not see a perfect man but a faithful follower of God. His entrance into the land of promise was a humble entry. No soldiers. No arrogance - he gave his nephew Lot the best land. He courageously defended his nephew (and his family) when others attacked and kidnapped them.
Yet somehow Abraham's example of faith was lost over the years. People seemed to change the focus to a faith in the Law of Moses instead of a faith (that Abraham had) in God. A hard evaluation for sure but one that we must always consider when use the scriptures, as these religious leaders did, to pronounce judgment on others.
Help me Lord to remember to focus my faith on Jesus and the divine image that he gives us in the gospels.
... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on the Gospel of John.
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