Does Jesus not know how to close a deal?

John 8:30-31 As He spoke these things many came to believe in Him. Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed in Him:

• If you abide in My word you are truly My disciples (v31)
• Everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin (v34)
• My words have no place in you. (v37)
• If God were your father you would love Me
• You don’t understand what I’m saying because you can’t hear My word (v43)
• Your father is the devil (v44)
• You don’t believe Me because I speak the truth (v45)
• You don’t hear the words of God because you aren’t of God (v47)
• You’re liars (55)

Is it just me or is this not a gracious way to receive new followers? Did no one bother to tell Jesus that these people “believed in Him”?

Discuss.

Author: Jonathan P. Merritt

Happily married father of six. Lead pastor at Edgewood Baptist Church (Columbus, GA). Good-natured contrarian, theological Luddite, and long-suffering Atlanta Falcons fan. A student of one book. View all posts by Jonathan P. Merritt