4 Easy Ways to Die in Your Sin

Willful Blindness (v. 21, 22)

Jesus’ Warning (v. 21)

“I go my way”, “whither I go ye cannot come” are references to His death

The place he is going is where He is from, that is heaven seated at the right hand of the Father.

“you will seek me” - meaning you will keep looking for the Messiah even though He has already come and you rejected Him.

If you continue in your blindness you will die in your sin. Jesus is referring to the particular sin of unbelief. (Notice that “sin” is singular.)

Sarcastic Response (v. 22)

When Jesus said something similar in chapter 7 they thought that He was contemplating going among the Gentiles.

Ironically, those who were plotting to take His life asked if He intended to commit suicide.

Jewish tradition considered suicide to be a practically unforgivable sin.

The Reality

Jesus would not die by His own hand but He would give His life up voluntarily.

“For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father” John 10:17-18

Their sarcasm reveals a deadly self-righteousness that is the root cause of their willful blindness.

Self-righteousness is what occurs when you measure yourself against yourself or a specifically chosen group of other people.

“Not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God” (Rom. 10:3).

Self-righteousness can creep back into the heart of even the believer.

Living for This World (v. 23)

“I am from above” - i.e. heaven

“you are from below” - Jesus explains that he is referring to the world

Not a reference to hell

Kosmos (world) is an important New Testament term. It refers in this context to the invisible spiritual system of evil that opposes the kingdom of God, comprises “every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God” (2 Cor. 10:5), and is controlled by Satan (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; 1 John 5:19).

The Reality

To the world the unbeliever is a battery to be drained or a piece of meat to be eaten. All the while millions of people are following their pied piper to their eventual destruction.

To the world the believer is the enemy, but the world has learned in recent history that the greatest weapon it has against the believer is not open hostility or violence, but simple distraction.

Materialism

Reputation

Politics

Just like willful blindness can creep back into the heart of the believer so to can a love for this present world.

Embracing Unbelief (v. 24)

Scripture clearly teaches what we call in theology the exclusivity of Christ. He is the only way in which we may be saved. Scripture is consistent on this and so is Christ. “I am the way the truth and the life, no man comes unto the Father but by me.”

In this verse Jesus makes a similar claim though for us today it is harder to see. He states that to be saved we must believe that “I am (that is Jesus) is he…” Who is the “he” he is talking about?

Certainly, this passage has echoes of Exodus. – when God identifies Himself to Moses at the burning bush as “I am that I am” and continues in this way by telling Moses to go and tell them that I am has sent you

Fulfillment of Isaiah

Isaiah 41:4 “Who has performed and accomplished it, Calling forth the generations from the beginning? ‘I, the Lord, am the first, and with the last. I am He.’”

Isaiah 42:1-4 “Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations. “He will not cry out or raise His voice, Nor make His voice heard in the street. “A bruised reed He will not break and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice. “He will not be disheartened or crushed Until He has established justice in the earth; And the coastlands will wait expectantly for His law.”

Inexcusable Ignorance (v. 25-30)

Who are you? (v. 25a)

Their blindness, love for this world and unbelief have led them to an inexcusable ignorance.

What was the tone of their question?

Mockery

Sarcasm

Anger

I am who I claim to be (v. 25b)

Evidence

Authority

Words

Miracles

They had been given more than enough revelation to be held responsible for their unbelief.

The truth is that even without Christ physically walking on the earth there is still more than enough revelation for each individual to be held responsible for their unbelief.

I have a mission to complete (v. 26)

I have much more to say

And you are not going to like it because it will reveal who you really are.

Nevertheless, it is true because it is the message of my Father.

They didn’t understand (v. 27)

Their worldly minds could only see an earthly father

But Jesus who was from above knew who His Father was and is.

An Undeniable Day (v. 28-30)

A prediction of His death and resurrection

Jesus’ death and resurrection erased any doubt about the claims Jesus made, and anyone who chose to reject Him after witnessing His resurrection revealed the true nature of their hearts.

Many believed

1 Easy Way to Live in Christ

Let’s rewrite the book

Admit, Believe, Call

Let all the stress of this life melt away in knowledge that your sins are forgiven and God is still in control.