Jesus was in a debate with the Pharisees. Remember, Pharisees were laypeople who wanted to protect their religion from foreign culture and other religions.

The record of this debate flows from John 8:12-59, and ends with the Pharisees rising to murder Jesus (without charge, trial or any due process, rather typical of extremists in every religion).

The Pharisees Question Jesus

The Pharisees Question Jesus (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“ ‘…You want to kill me because you don’t like what I’m saying. What I’m saying is what I have seen in my Father’s presence. But you do what you’ve heard from your father.’

The Jews replied to Jesus, ‘Abraham is our father.’
 
Jesus told them, ‘If you were Abraham’s children, you would do what Abraham did. I am a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. But now you want to kill me. Abraham wouldn’t have done that. You’re doing what your father does.’
 
The Jews said to Jesus, ‘We’re not illegitimate children. God is our only Father.’
 
Jesus told them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love me. After all, I’m here, and I came from God. I didn’t come on my own. Instead, God sent me. Why don’t you understand the language I use? Is it because you can’t understand the words I use? You come from your father, the devil, and you desire to do what your father wants you to do. The devil was a murderer from the beginning. He has never been truthful. He doesn’t know what the truth is. Whenever he tells a lie, he’s doing what comes naturally to him. He’s a liar and the father of lies. So you don’t believe me because I tell the truth. Can any of you convict me of committing a sin?” (John 8:37b-46 God’s Word).

What sins do others commit that you convict them of (without any due process)? Whether worship time should be 11am or 10:30am? Whether to use the King James Bible or God’s Message? Whether wearing blue jeans to worship is theologically acceptable? Whether Roman Catholics are Christians as much as Baptists?

The Pharisees talked about conformity to their system. Jesus talked about love.

What do you talk about? What truth do you live by?

Religious rules will never constitute truth. Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6).