John 8:26-30 - I have much to say about you

8:26,27

Jesus had much more to say, and He had much more to say about the religious leaders. So often we act as if we are to make a judgement about Jesus. We do not judge Jesus, He judges us! It is vital that we get the order right. Note that Jesus also said “[I have] much to judge”. The words that Jesus speaks are the words of God, He declares what He has heard from the Father, but the people did not understand that He was talking about the Father.

8:28

“When you have lifted up ...” Now what does this mean? If we take it as referring to the cross then that fits with verse like John 3:14,15. However, it doesn’t make sense with “then you will know ...”, for after the cross the religious leaders, on the whole, did not know that Jesus was the Messiah. Maybe it is better to take it as an individual needs to lift Jesus up, needs to give Him the highest place, rather than thinking Jesus is subject to their judgement. When we give Him the rightful place we begin to see the truth.

8:29,30

In going to the cross Jesus was showing above all else that He does what the Father commands Him to do. He acts on God’s authority, not His own. It, especially together with the resurrection, would show that the Father was with Him. Jesus lived to please the Father. In the face of opposition, doubt and questioning Jesus had a deep assurance. He knew who He was, and who had sent Him.