Immortality Through Good Deeds

Immortality through Good Deeds

John 8:48-59

Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz

John 8:48 The Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 49 Jesus answered, “I do not ahave a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. 50 “But I do not seek My glory; there is One who seeks and judges. 51 “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he will never see death.” 52 The Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets also; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word, he will never taste of death.’ 53 “Surely You are not greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died too; whom do You make Yourself out to be?” 54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God’; 55 and you have not come to know Him, but I know Him; and if I say that I do not know Him, I will be a liar like you, but I do know Him and keep His word. 56 “our father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” 57 aSo the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” 59 Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple.

Let me start with a question. Who remembers a man named George Washington? Sure, you all know who George was. You probably know the tale of him chopping down a cherry tree, the great Revolutionary General, and the first President of the United States of America under our current national Constitution. Now let me ask you if you know a man named Milliard Fillmore. The history nerds will know that he was the thirteenth President of the United States. Why is Fillmore not as well known as Washington?

What good things did Fillmore do that was so good that he is remembered for them? The only worthwhile thing I could find was that he planted the cornerstone for the Washington monument in Washington, DC. That is it. So, when comparing Washington and Fillmore, we remember Washington better because of his good works throughout his life. We especially remember all the wonderful things he did for other people.

The debate that started with the adulterous woman at the beginning of the chapter is concluding. Debate was the way of Semitic people in Jesus’ day. I know the Scripture and Church like to say that the religious leaders were trying to trap Jesus. The truth is they wanted to know where he stood on some issues. Yes, if Jesus was not on their side, they might move to get rid of him.

Also, Jesus was from the Galilee. The Jews of Judea, who controlled the Temple and Jewish life, did not think highly of Galileans and Samaritans. They were not considered Jews by heritage but rather a group of Assyrians who settled in when they conquered the land. They adopted Judaism and followed a lot of the traditions of the land. The Samaritans followed the Torah (the first five books of the Bible). Still, they rejected the prophets and writings because of how these books addressed the Assyrians. It is obvious why they did this. The Samaritans physically looked like Assyrians, and this scared the Judeans.

Since the Assyrians were known as the worst of the biblical nations, they were not remembered for their good works. Instead, the Judeans wanted to forget them. There were some awful things that the Assyrians did to the people that they conquered. Outside of the church and synagogue, you do not hear much about them. Oh yes, this includes the Babylonians and Persians.

Let us turn a moment to a great man who is still known today as a great man. What is attractive about this man is that two thousand years after his birth, we celebrate his birth. He is known worldwide. The celebration of his birth is practically a worldwide holiday. You know who I am referring to, Jesus of Nazareth. He said and did some of the most incredible things that made him even better than good; he became great.

Jesus was so good. How good was he? The Koran, the Muslim holy book, and Josephus’ writings, a historian of that day, tell the tale of the Jewish prophet who was thought to be the Messiah and rose from the grave after three days. Even those who do not worship him know about him. That is why Jesus is known throughout the world.