FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE

John 8:37-43
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Jesus and Abraham

37 Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there’s no room in your hearts for my message. 38 I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father.”

39 “Our father is Abraham!” they declared.

“No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example. 40 Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. 41 No, you are imitating your real father.”

They replied, “We aren’t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.”

42 Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me. 43 Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me!


One thing commonly found in children is that they are imitators. They see examples in those close to them and they follow those examples. As parents, we need to be attentive to the example we set.

Jesus saw the actions of these descendants of Abraham but could not link them. What they were doing, Abraham never did. They claimed Abraham in word but imitated their real father in their actions.

When you look in the mirror of your life, what is the example you are setting? Who are you really imitating?