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Jesus' assertion that He was the Son of God incited fury in the religious leaders. Yet His explanation of all that His Sonship entailed helps us understand how we are to behave as God's children.
He spoke His Father's words to the world (v. 26). Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He gave us the same assignment. Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation (Mark 16:15).
Christ did nothing on His own initiative (John 8:28). Sonship never implies weakness, but it does require surrender to the Father's authority.
He spoke as the Father taught Him(v. 28). Christians aren't to depend on personal instinct but, rather, are to learn and rely on the truth of God's Word.
Jesus always did what pleased the Father (v. 29). God's children no longer live for their own pleasures; rather, they seek the joy and blessings of living in obedience to their Father.
Christ did not pursue His own glory but honored the Father (vv. 49-50, 54). In the same way, we're to humble ourselves and exalt the Lord in our thoughts and behavior.
He knew His Father and kept His word (v. 55). Believers have the same privilege of intimacy with God and the same responsibility of obedience to His instructions.
The opportunity for us to be God's childrenis possible only because of the faithful obedience of His Son. Christ opened the door for our adoption, showered us with family blessings, and demonstrated how we are to live in the household of faith. Now it is up to us to follow His example.
Used with permission from In Touch Ministries, Inc.
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