Lent 2023: John 8:21-30

Jesus Predicts His Departure

21 Then he said to them again, “I’m going away; you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I’m going, you cannot come.”

22 So the Jews said again, “He won’t kill himself, will he, since he says, ‘Where I’m going, you cannot come’?”

23 “You are from below,” he told them, “I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 Therefore I told you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.”

25 “Who are you?” they questioned.

“Exactly what I’ve been telling you from the very beginning,” Jesus told them. 26 “I have many things to say and to judge about you, but the one who sent me is true, and what I have heard from him—these things I tell the world.”

27 They did not know he was speaking to them about the Father. 28 So Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own. But just as the Father taught me, I say these things. 29 The one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do what pleases him.”

Truth and Freedom

30 As he was saying these things, many believed in him.

—John 8:21-30

Read & Journal

Read John 8:21-30. Mull over what you’ve read, using the prompt below to guide your reflection.

• What does this passage reveal about Jesus? His character? His mission?

• What do you learn about Jesus’ relationship with the Father in this passage? Explain.

• Notice how many times Jesus said the phrase “I Am” in these verses. Reflecting on your understanding of the Old Testament, why is this turn of phrase so important?

• “I Am” was the name God revealed to Moses (Ex. 3:14). When Jesus used this term, he was claiming divinity or equality with God, but Jesus’ listeners didn’t understand. Is there someone in your life who doesn’t know or understand Jesus? Spend some time praying for this person by name, that God, through the work of the Holy Spirit, would draw him or her to himself.

• Consider verses 28 and 29. God the Father has taught us about himself through Jesus. Think about all you’ve read and studied this week. What have you learned about the Father—through Jesus’ words, actions and earthly ministry?

• Reread verses 23-24. Those who belong to this world and seek the things it claims are important will die in their sins, but those who turn to Jesus believing he is the only way to be rescued by sin will be saved. If you are a believer today, journal a prayer reflecting on your salvation and all that God has done to set you free from the bondage of sin.

• If you are not a follower of Christ, take his words to heart. This week you have seen how Jesus has revealed the Father, meditated on the power of his sacrifice and recognized that we cannot trust our own goodness or good works to set us free. Will you trust him today?