#DailyDevotion Do You Keep Jesus’ Word?
John 8:51-19 51I tell you the truth, if you keep My Word, you will never see death.” 52“Now we know there’s a demon in you,” the Jews told Him. “Abraham died, and so did the prophets, but you say, ‘If you keep My Word, you will never taste death. 53Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and the prophets died. Who do you think you are?” 54“If I glorify Myself,” Jesus said, “My glory is nothing. It is My Father Who glorifies Me, He of Whom you say, ‘He’s our God.’ 55You don’t know Him, but I know Him. And if I would say I don’t know Him, I’d be a liar like you. But I do know Him, and I observe His Word. 56Your father Abraham was delighted to know of My day; he saw it and was glad.”57“You’re not fifty years old yet,” the Jews said to Him, “and Abraham has seen you?” 58“I tell you the truth,” Jesus told them, “before Abraham ever was born, I am.” 59Then they picked up stones to throw at Him. But Jesus hid Himself and left the temple.
It’s an interesting Greek word τηρέω which is the word being translated in the passage once as “keep” and once as “observe.” We often think in English this term is asking us to do the thing we are keeping, i.e. if I’m keeping the commandment, “do not steal” I’m not taking your property without permission. To some extant that is true but it is by extension of the meaning. When Jesus is telling us if we keep his word, we will never see death what does he mean? Does he mean we must do everything he has ever taught us without fail, missing the mark, or sinning? If that is the case, I think we are all in trouble. Certainly he wants us to be about doing the things he taught but not to enter eternal life.
What can he mean then? I think Jesus is thinking Deuteronomy 11, 18“Put these words of Mine in your minds and hearts, tie them on your hands to remind you, and let them be bands on your foreheads; 19teach them to your children; talk of them when you sit at home, walk along the road, lie down, and get up. 20And write them on the doorposts of your home and on your gates…” In particular, he wants us to put his words in our minds and hearts and to keep them in our hearts and minds always, meditating on them, talking with our neighbor about them, to eventually also doing them.
Keeping Jesus’ word is primarily trusting what Jesus says, about himself, what he has done and what he has promised to do. This is the basis for any future actions of faith which follow, i.e. avoiding evil and doing good. Since Jesus is referencing Deuteronomy with him and his Word, Jesus is setting up with the Jews who he is. They ask if he is greater than Abraham, who is the friend of God since he saw death. (Jesus elsewhere notes Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are alive with God). Jesus notes they do not keep his Word. They do not keep the Word of Moses. He says God is his Father and the God they claim to worship, but do not because if they did, they would know who Jesus is. They don’t know God and they don’t know Jesus. Jesus declares himself in verse 58, “I am” the name of the LORD. He is their God in the flesh.
Do you know God the Father and his only-begotten son Jesus Christ? If you know them, then you will keep Jesus’ Word and you have eternal life. What is that Word? Jesus is Life and he gives that life freely to anyone who turns to him and believes him. Keeping Jesus’ Word is believing who he is, what he has done for you and what he promises to give you. Everything else follows that.
Heavenly Father, grant that we may know you through knowing Jesus, your Son, and keep his Word that we may have everlasting life. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.