So far in John's Gospel, few have believed. Is this a turning point? It seems that some believe in Jesus, even in Jerusalem. Jesus reaches out with an olive branch and explains the next step of discipleship: they must continue to listen to him and obey him. "Obedience" can sound like a synonym for misery. But Jesus isn't burdening them. He's removing the sin that enslaves them because he wants them to be free to love. But immediately after responding to the altar call, they start fighting Jesus. Their argument is simple: we've always been God's people. It sounds a lot like, "Of course I'm a Christian. That’s how I was raised.” Or, "Of course I'm a Christian. My whole family is.” Jesus doesn't blink. He sees that they are committed to living life on their own terms. Their angry response and the insinuation that Jesus is an illegitimate child prove they are acting like the devil. When Abraham met strangers, he welcomed them into his home and then believed in God's messengers (Genesis 18). If you are traveling through the desert, would you rather meet someone who thinks of himself as a hospitable person or someone who offers you hospitality? I think about all the Sundays I've been angry at my wife because we arrived after the service started. My mouth is screwed shut, my arms are crossed, and I'm looking away from her. How can I worship God when I'm caught up in getting my way? Jesus is saying, "You can call yourselves whatever you want. But it's only if you live like God's children that you belong in his house." Jesus won't be an accessory to the life we’ve always wanted. Either he changes us, or we try to change him. I wish this confrontation ended with repentance and true belief. Instead, they try to humiliate Jesus by calling him an illegitimate child. The greatest danger of being near Jesus is thinking we don't need him.