John 8:21-30 – Are we separated from or united with Christ?

There is going to be a separation between those who believe in Jesus and those who won’t. John had made it quite clear in this Gospel. One well-memorized verse is John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” In the previous discussion, the Lord had led them to the idea of separation. One could either walk in the light that Christ came to give or walk in darkness.

In verse 21, He was essentially telling the crowd that they had followed Him all around Jerusalem in the feast of the Tabernacle, and had taken issue with everything that He had said. He assured them that there would come a time when they would be looking for Him but then it would be too late. There would be a separation. These words, though spoken to those who opposed Him, is true to everyone throughout time and history.

We see here, as always, what He had said was misinterpreted. They sarcastically insinuated that He was going to commit suicide. That was a wicked jibe. In their Jewish thinking, those who commit suicide deserved a place in hell. What they said was implying that Jesus was going to hell. And they felt that He was right to say that. With a paly of cynicism, they reasoned, saying that they could not follow Him there. What they did, sneering and scorning at Jesus, was actually affirming Jesus’ words concerning their ultimate end. They were lost and separated from God. And if they persist in that direction, they would certainly be totally and eternally separated from Him.  

What could be the reason for that separation? Verse 23 provides the answer. It’s because they were from a different realm from Jesus. They were from below whereas He has come from above. And the twain would never become one. The word “world” used by Christ here is referring to the evil system of this world. Those that opposed Him were from this world. It is a different realm from where He came from, and the two cannot co-exist. For that reason, they could seek Him and not find Him.  

There is a great gulf between the two realms. There can be no in-between. We are either wholly for Him or wholly for the world. The critical factor Jesus then states is found in verse 24. He said, “…you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” This underscores the importance to have one’s belief truly set on Jesus. Whether we believe in Him or not, will determine eternal life or death for us.   

In unbelief, the people wanted to know who Jesus really was. They were not aware that He was talking about the Father. They did not know that He came from the Father and He spoke and judged according to what the Father had specified. Jesus told them that they would only begin to understand everything when He, the Son of Man, is lifted up on the cross.  The cross, a symbol of great humiliation, is also the first step toward exaltation.

The message of these verses is plain and simple. It is a call to believe in Christ. And as we believe in Him, we will be lifted from the realm of darkness and brought into the realm of light. Yes, in believing in Christ, we are what 1 Peter 2:9 said of us. We “…are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” Let’s make known that light of His magnanimous grace.