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John 8:12-30 - When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 13 The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.” 14 Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. 16 But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. 17 In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. 18 I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.” 19 Then they asked him, “Where is your father?” “You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” 20 He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come. 21 Once more Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come.” 22 This made the Jews ask, “Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, ‘Where I go, you cannot come’?” 23 But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.” 25 “Who are you?” they asked. “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied. 26 “I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is trustworthy, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.” 27 They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. 28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. 29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” 30 Even as he spoke, many believed in him.
Two Prominent Stories about Women in John’s Gospel:
· Samaritan Woman – John 4
· Adulterous Woman – John 8
Important Contrast
· “Self-Righteous” - Excludes from, exposes, and passes judgment on
· “Jesus” - Engages with, exposes, and then helps restore/heal
Jesus isn’t into behavior modification;
He’s into heart transformation.
“Feast of Tabernacles”
*Jesus makes this declaration near the court of women in the Temple, where, during this festival, many torches would be lit and carried through the streets commemorating the pillar of fire in the wilderness (Ex. 13:21) that led the Children of Israel during the darkness of the wilderness and eventually into the promised land. Once again, Jesus makes this contrast and declares Himself the true light.
*Self-declaration of being the light of the world was left only to God or Torah given by God. It’s no wonder that Jesus is immediately challenged by this statement. In the ancient Jewish world, a statement needed to be qualified or substantiated by 2-3 witnesses. Jesus points to His Father (oneness/union with God), and His own works which testify of his character and nature.
V. 14 – I know where I came from and where I am going
V. 23 – You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.
· Above -> “Heavens” – Realm of God’s rule and reign
· Below -> “Earth” – Realm of Satan’s rule and reign
Luke 18 – “The Parable of the Pharisee & the Tax Collector”
Those who think they’re in are actually out.
And those who humble themselves and cry out for mercy are actually in.
Genesis 1 – Light is released on Day 1 to separate or drive out the darkness / The sun and moon aren’t created till Day 4. Yet, plants and vegetation begin growing on Day 3 without the “Great Light of the sun”.
C.S. Lewis - “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen, not only because I see it but because by it, I see everything else.”
Revelation 21:22-27 - I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. 25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there.
Conclusion:
Matthew 6:33 - But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.