OUR NEED FOR DIRECTION

Transcription

1 GET INTO THE STUDY 10 minutes GUIDE: Direct the group to look at the picture (PSG, p. 26). DISCUSS: Question #1 (PSG, p. 26): When do you remember feeling afraid of the dark? GUIDE: Review The Bible Meets Life (PSG, p. 27). Note the author s story about trying to make his way across the room in the dark. Acknowledge the severe consequences of older people of a slight slip or stumble in the dark. SAY: We need light in the darkness more than ever. GUIDE: Introduce The Point (PSG, p. 27): Jesus is the light who reveals the way we should go. Comment that Jesus second I am statement in John s Gospel teaches there is a darkness worse than the absence of natural light. And Jesus is the One to guide us out of that darkness to walk in His light. SESSION 2 OUR NEED FOR DIRECTION The Point Jesus is the light who reveals the way we should go. The Bible Meets Life We like to think we live in an enlightened society, but we live in darkness. Society in general is selective about what it considers wrong. In society s enlightened thinking, what was once considered sin is no longer considered sin. Just as light reveals darkness, Jesus reveals our own sin and darkness. Jesus does not merely reveal our darkness; He invites us to come to Him and walk in His light. The Passage John 8:12-19 The Setting Early excitement over Jesus and His miraculous works had begun to wane. His teachings had begun to challenge people s beliefs, and many ceased to be enamored of Him as He clarified who He was and what He had come to do. Included in His description of His character and nature was the fact that He is the Light of the world. 28 Session 2

2 John 8:12 12 Then Jesus spoke to them again: I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life. KEY WORDS: Light of the world (v. 12) Jesus truth gives direction to our lives and illumines the path we are called to follow. Darkness (v. 12) The antithesis to light in the natural world; used as the metaphorical equivalent in religious language to evil and immorality, and spiritual forces aligned against God. People who follow Jesus will never walk in darkness. 1 Our passage context goes back to the beginning of John 7. Jesus was in Galilee, avoiding Judea, due to some already seeking His death (7:1). His family, however, was pressuring Him to go to Jerusalem to reveal Himself during the Festival of Tabernacles (vv. 2-3). Tabernacles was a fall Jewish festival commemorating the wilderness wandering of the Israelites, when they lived in tents (also called Festival of Booths or Ingathering ). 1 The first day of Tabernacles began with a cessation of regular daily activities. Temporary shelters were built for the people to occupy during the festival (Lev. 23:39-43). Celebrants reflected on divine blessings during the year and the bounty of harvest (hence, the idea of ingathering ). This festival had fallen into neglect, thus, its renewal in the time of Ezra after the return from exile was extraordinary and notable (Neh. 8:13-18). Another feature of the Feast of Tabernacles was a dramatic ceremony of lights. Four great lamps were perched high in the temple courts tall enough to rise above the temple walls. The lamps were filled with many gallons of oil. Priests would light the cloth wicks in the lamps. The tremendous light generated from these huge golden lamps and emanating from the temple complex out to the city was said to light up all the courtyards of Jerusalem. Celebrants would dance beneath the lamps carrying flaming torches and singing songs. Levites standing on the fifteen steps leading down from the Court of Israel to the Court of the Women played harps, lyres, cymbals, trumpets, and other musical instruments. In the account about this festival John recounted in chapter 7, Jesus refused family pressure to go to Jerusalem STUDY THE BIBLE John 8:12 20 minutes TIP: In this session, we have offered more Bible commentary 1 than usual to help you understand the historical context for Jesus I am statement in John 8:12. Be sure to become familiar with this material (pp ) so you can briefly summarize the context for your group before diving into verse 12. (ENHANCEMENT: Point to Pack Item 3: Feast of Tabernacles or Booths. ) Use the image of the modernday Jewish booth to help the group visualize one aspect of how the Jewish people celebrated this important annual festival.) SUGGESTED USE WEEK OF MARCH 13 29

3 THE POINT Jesus is the light who reveals the way we should go. OPTION: IN ADVANCE, provide a candleabra or several candlesticks with candles to represent the four great lamps that were perched high in the temple courts during the festival. CAUTION: Check to see if your church has any policy regarding open flames in your Bible study area. Exercise caution at all times. Beware of loose clothing if you choose this option. Enlist a volunteer to help you light the candles and to help you with any safety issues that might arise. READ: Following your summary, ask the group to read John 8:12 in unison. GUIDE: Emphasize that those who follow Jesus will have the light of life. The psalmist said that walking before God was walking in the light of life (Ps. 56:13). SAY: Jesus said His followers would never walk in darkness. 30 Session 2 to declare His messiahship. He insisted His time had not arrived. Jesus did go later, but secretly. Those seeking to kill Him naturally were scouting the streets to find Him (John 7:5-11). Jesus constantly encountered wrong ideas about who He was and what He was supposed to do from His own family, the crowds who followed Him, and Jewish leaders. Such wrong ideas and false expectations had led the crowds who had been fed miraculously during Passover season to draw the wrong conclusions about Jesus intent to be their king. The king they wanted was someone to inaugurate an armed rebellion against Rome (6:14-15). Jesus had to absent Himself from them to thwart their politically provocative intentions. Similar confusion was evident again among the festival pilgrims in Jerusalem, but they debated privately for fear of Jesus opponents (7:12-13). Suddenly, in the middle of the festival, Jesus began to teach in the temple area, which definitely drew attention to Him. He set about correcting false teaching about Moses and the Law, evident in the deceptive manner in which His opponents had treated Him. He pointed out His opponents inconsistency in being willing to break one law, observing the Sabbath, in order to keep another, performing circumcision. Yet, hypocritically, they refused Jesus the same right to break the Sabbath in order to do God s work of healing! He also charged them with judging outward appearance only, which revealed they did not really know God at all (John vv ). Jesus opponents did not contradict Him publicly, leaving the impression for some that even Jesus own opponents might have had suspicions He was the Messiah. The crowds themselves wrongly thought the Messiah s origins would be unknown. Jesus insisted they knew where He was from (perhaps meaning Galilee), but ironically, they did not know that God had sent Him, so, ultimately, He really was from heaven (vv ). In all of this storm of confusion in Jerusalem, Jesus opponents could not seize Him, because His hour had not yet come (v. 30). For John, the hour to come was the hour of glory, which was the cross (12:23,27; 13:1; 17:1). God controlled that time in His own sovereignty, and no one would take Jesus until God s appointed time. This idea is repeated in John 8:20. Some were beginning to perceive the true nature of the messiahship of Jesus, which did not conform to the expectations of the crowds in general nor to those of the

4 Jewish leaders (7:31). Willingness to call Jesus Messiah alarmed the religious and temple leadership in Jerusalem (the Pharisees and chief priests). They ordered temple police to arrest Jesus. Jesus spoke of His future return to heaven to point out the irony that a time would come when they would search for Him but would not find Him. Naturally, the truth of Jesus heavenly origin and return escaped the superficial understanding of His opponents. They concluded only that He must be alluding to leaving to teach Greeks outside of Judea once He failed to convince His own people (vv ). At the end of the festival week in Jerusalem, Jesus took advantage of the climactic water ceremony in the Feast of Tabernacles. Jesus stood up in the middle of the action and cried out: If anyone is thirsty, he should come to Me and drink! The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him (vv ). John explained that Jesus was speaking metaphorically about the Spirit (v. 39). Confusion about Jesus identity and mission reigned among even the temple guards, to the consternation of the Pharisees, who insisted anyone giving Jesus any credence was accursed (John vv ). Their charge is ironic, since Jesus teaching in the temple had just exposed their own blindness to the true intent and application of the law, rendering them accursed. Nicodemus advised his Pharisee brothers to give Jesus adequate hearing as required by the law, but Nicodemus was rejected immediately, accused of being as deceived as the crowds who were ignorant of the law (vv ). This literary context is foundational to understanding our focal passage. Verse 12. Jesus once again showed up in the temple teaching during the Festival of Tabernacles. We have another momentous I am saying. Jesus declared, I am the light of the world (8:12). Jesus made His great declaration of being the light of the world in the context of this Festival of Tabernacles with its dramatic light ceremony. Jesus seems to have been claiming dramatically that He could light up not only all of Jerusalem, like the great Tabernacle s candelabras in the court of the temple, but the whole world. Here, John brought to powerful consummation his light theme established in the prologue (1:4-9). Those who follow Jesus will have the light of life. The psalmist said that walking before God was walking in the light of life (Ps. 56:13). Those accustomed to electricity and lights in our homes and cities can have little appreciation for the power of this image of the light of life. Little do we recognize that we have developed the very expression DISCUSS: Question #2 (PSG, p. 30): Where do you see evidence of darkness in today s world? (TIP: Don t allow this discussion to dominate the session. Keep the discussion as brief as possible, highlighting just a few examples.) GUIDE: Note that the evil so prevalent in the world can tempt us to take our eyes off the light of Christ. Emphasize the importance of trusting always in the One Who lights our way. DISCUSS: Question #3 (PSG, p. 30): What does Jesus I am statement teach us about His nature and character? (Alternate: What does it look like to never walk in darkness?) DO: Direct attention to the activity, The Light of the World (PSG, p. 31). Invite the group to read the words of the hymn in unison. Then ask volunteers to share their responses. 31

5 THE POINT Jesus is the light who reveals the way we should go. TRANSITION: Stress that when Jesus says He is the light of the world, we can trust what He says about Himself is true. STUDY THE BIBLE John 8: minutes READ: Invite a volunteer to read John 8: SUMMARIZE: The Pharisees refused to recognize and acknowledge Jesus identity as the Son of God, the Messiah. They likewise failed to understand that He had come from God and would be returning to God. They could not see the Father s testimony in the life and ministry of Jesus, so they perceived Him to be acting and speaking on His own behalf without any supporting evidence. nightlife because we now have light in the night. However, let a disaster strike, such as a tornado or hurricane, and the deep darkness into which we instantly are plunged can remind us of the days before the industrial revolution and before places like Las Vegas. Farmers too are well acquainted with the power of sunshine for the life of their crops. Jesus as light is the power of life. John 8: So the Pharisees said to Him, You are testifying about Yourself. Your testimony is not valid. 14 Even if I testify about Myself, Jesus replied, My testimony is valid, because I know where I came from and where I m going. But you don t know where I come from or where I m going. 15 You judge by human standards. I judge no one. KEY WORDS: Testimony (v. 14) From the world of the courtroom; statements to which one would swear in a court of law; speaking truth about what one has witnessed about God. Jesus testimony about Himself is true and trustworthy. Verse 13. The Pharisees, of course, accused Jesus of unsubstantiated testimony, the kind the law disallows, hence your testimony is not valid, they insisted. The law did demand multiple witnesses for serious cases (Num. 35:30; Deut. 17:6; 19:15), which later Jewish tradition extended to other cases as well. The requirement for a matter to be verified by more than one witness prevented a single, disgruntled individual from being able to create legal problems for another. We see this law in effect during the Sanhedrin trial of Jesus as the religious leaders produced many witnesses against Jesus, but the testimonies of the various false witnesses did not agree with one another (Mark 14:55-59). 32 Session 2

6 Jesus opponents may have been trying to throw His own words back at Him. Earlier Jesus had said that if He testified about Himself that His testimony was not valid (John 5:31). Even then, however, Jesus had pointed out that His words about Himself were corroborated by His mighty works, the testimony of John the Baptist, and that of the Father Himself. His words had not stood by themselves. Verse 14. Jesus responded to the present charge in a manner consistent with His earlier assertion that the Father bore witness to the validity of His words. Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is valid. Jesus answer is true but could not be understood without faith in Him. Jesus asserted, I know where I came from, that is, that He is from heaven, so He has the heavenly Father s testimony (8:14). Such testimony would de facto both fulfill and trump the requirement of the law or tradition for multiple witnesses. However, Jesus immediately acknowledged that this answer would not satisfy His opponents, since they did not believe in Him and, thus, they don t know where I come from or where I m going. Since these religious leaders refused to recognize and acknowledge Jesus identity as the Son of God, the Messiah, they likewise failed to understand that He had come from God and would be returning to God. Their blinded eyes could not see the Father s testimony in the life and ministry of Jesus, so they perceived Him to be acting and speaking on His own behalf without any supporting evidence. Verse 15. Not believing in Jesus is clear evidence that His opponents were judging by human standards; Jesus would not play that game. If human standards were the rules by which the Pharisees wished to play, rather than the righteous standards of God, Jesus would abstain. I judge no one, He countered. His role at this time in history was not to be a judge but to be a light. Jesus had already pointed out that God had not sent Him to condemn the world but to save it. But, tellingly, He had also stressed that the one who would not believe in Him was condemned already (3:17-18). DISCUSS: Question #4 (PSG, p. 32): What are some reasons people give today for rejecting God s Word as truth? (Alternate: What are some symptoms of trying to blend God s truth with human standards?) GUIDE: Note that the Pharisees viewed life through a human lens. They started with themselves and incorporated God into their lives wherever they could. Jesus calls us to start with God as our Father and adjust our lives accordingly. TRANSITION: When we choose to walk in the light of Christ, Jesus will reveal His Father to us. 33

7 THE POINT Jesus is the light who reveals the way we should go. STUDY THE BIBLE John 8: minutes READ: Invite a volunteer to read John 8: SUMMARIZE: The Pharisees were judgmental, but Jesus did not judge either by their harsh standards or with their motives. Jesus earthly ministry was not wrapped up in judgment. Jesus had come to extend salvation, not condemnation, to all people (3:17). Jesus had come as light to overcome darkness, not just as a judge to condemn darkness. He had authority to do this because He had come from the Father. John 8: And if I do judge, My judgment is true, because I am not alone, but I and the Father who sent Me judge together. 17 Even in your law it is written that the witness of two men is valid. 18 I am the One who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me. 19 Then they asked Him, Where is Your Father? You know neither Me nor My Father, Jesus answered. If you knew Me, you would also know My Father. Jesus is the Light who reveals God the Father. Verse 16. Jesus had stated that He did not judge anyone (v. 15) not yet anyway. The day would come, however, when that would change. And when Jesus does judge, His judgment, in contrast to that of His opponents, will be true. How so? What makes His judgment different from that of the religious leaders? The truth is here: because I am not alone, but I and the Father who sent Me judge together. He claimed a special relationship with God (see 16:32). This special relationship changed the equation. Just as His testimony was not unsupported as the Pharisees had argued, so His judgment will not be in isolation either. All Jesus did and does, His words of witness and His acts of judgment, all have been and will be characterized by being done together with the Father. As the Father has willed, so Jesus has done and will do. Verses Jesus then offered a direct challenge to the faith of the Pharisees with the words, in your law. The pronoun choice catches our attention your law, not our law. The expression your law could be read as the law of Moses itself, which would sound like a rejection of the law of Moses. That seems highly unlikely, given emphases in other Gospels and New Testament writers. 2 Another possibility could be an allusion to the oral law of the Pharisees. The Pharisees had built up their own tradition interpreting the 34 Session 2

8 law of Moses for later generations in different life settings that was preserved orally. The problem was, they elevated some oral tradition to the level of authority of the law of Moses itself. Thus, your law could be either the law of Moses as mishandled by the Pharisees or their own special oral traditions considered as authoritative as the law of Moses. The oral tradition that produced the law of Corban that Mark mentions is one example (Mark 7:11). Whatever the precise meaning, Jesus clearly was challenging their understanding of the Moses teachings. He acknowledged the law s demand for two witnesses (John 8:17), but He then claimed that was exactly what He was presenting, two witnesses: I am the One who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me. Validity established; case closed. Verse 19. His opponents, however, responded with the retort, Where is Your Father? The question could be understood in at least two ways. One way would be a serious social challenge. Jesus challenged their authority publicly, so they felt forced to respond immediately or lose face. So, they challenged Him right back, only slanderously. To deny knowing someone s father in an honor/shame society could be heard in certain situations as a slanderous charge of illegitimacy. Another way to understand the question would be that they were thinking in natural terms of an earthly father and were ready to go look for this fellow to drag him into the argument to see if he really would foolishly support his delusional son. They never would be successful if they attempted to mount such a search for His real Father, because Jesus actual Father would not be found in any place they would look. Though they could not perceive the truth of His words, Jesus made the bold charge that they were clueless about His true paternity and residence, You know neither Me nor My Father. He then spoke in another of John s great ironies: If you knew Me, you would also know My Father. If they really knew God, they would see God in Jesus, and, conversely, if they really saw Jesus, they would know God. Jesus is the light who reveals the way we should go. Some people, however, can be standing right in front of Jesus and still stumble in darkness. The Pharisees claimed to know God and to know more about God than anyone. Yet, Jesus pronounced them illegitimate usurpers with no genuine relationship with God. We must not make this same mistake. Jesus is the Light of the world, and God the Father is His corroborating witness. Live your life under His authority in submission to His instructions. DISCUSS: Question #5 (PSG, p. 34): What decisions must we make in order to follow Jesus judgments and directions? (Alternate: How does Jesus continue to be your light?) 1. Exodus 34:22; Leviticus 23:34; Deuteronomy 16:13; 2 Chronicles 8: Jesus strong affirmation in Matthew 5:17 and Paul s assertion in Romans 3:31 are but two examples. 35

9 THE POINT Jesus is the light who reveals the way we should go. LIVE IT OUT 5 minutes GUIDE: Emphasize The Point: Jesus is the light who reveals the way we should go. Review Live It Out (PSG, p. 35; see text to the right). Encourage each group member to commit to follow through this week with at least one of the applications. Wrap It Up GUIDE: Emphasize that in a world filled with darkness, people long for light to help them find their way. LIVE IT OUT As the Light of the world, Jesus provides salvation and direction. You receive your salvation through repentance and faith. You receive direction through study and practical steps of obedience. Consider which of these application ideas fits best with where you are in your quest to live in the light. > > Identify. Think of a challenge you face that has frozen you in your tracks. You need to make a decision but you fear making a mistake. Ask the Lord this week to show you light to take the step you need to take. > > Guide. Think of a person in your life who is facing a difficult decision. This week, offer to meet with him or her to discuss the issues involved and to seek God s guidance. Offer your help and your prayers as long as necessary. > > Study. Get a concordance and a study Bible, and study how John uses the concept of light in his Gospel. Make notes each day about what God is teaching you. Set a goal to complete your study by April 10, the last session in this study theme from the Gospel of John. SAY: We can be the people to help others come to know that Jesus is truly who they are looking for. He invites us to walk in His light and leave the darkness behind. PRAY: Father, thank you for sending us the Light of Christ, so we can find our way to You. Give us grace to share that light with others. Amen. 36 Session 2

10 The following excerpt is from the article Jesus: The Light of the World (Win ), which relates to this session and can be found on the DVD in the Leader Pack or purchased at com/biblicalillustrator. Jesus identified Himself as the light of the world (John 8:12). By this self- identification, Jesus drew unto himself not only a vast and rich tradition from within Judaism but also one from the ancient near eastern religious thought that associated light with divine power, glory, creation, salvation, and guidance. Beginning with the ancient Egyptians and continuing through the development of the Greco-Roman religions of Jesus day and all throughout the Hebrew scriptures, the phenomenon of light was so expressive of the ultimate powers and wonders of divinity that light served as a symbol equated with life itself. Though the claims of Jesus in John s Gospel are plain enough, readers can better grasp the full power of those claims by studying how persons throughout the ancient world used light as a symbol of divinity. Previous articles Light in John s Writings (Sum. 2009), and Who Were The Pharisees? (Spr. 1998) relate to this session and can be purchased at biblicalillustrator. Look for Biblical Illustrator for Bible Studies for Life. Subscribe to Biblical Illustrator at or call SHARING THE GOOD NEWS Only Jesus Christ can bring a person out of the darkness of sin. When you place your faith in Christ, He forgives your sin, gives you a new life, and makes it possible for you to walk in His light. Each week, make yourself available either before or after the session to speak privately with anyone in your group who wants to know more about becoming a Christian. See the article, Leading Someone to the Greatest Decision of All, on page 2 for guidance in leading a person to Christ. Remind group members that page 2 in the PSG offers guidance in how to become a Christian. Encourage believers to consider using this article as they have opportunities to lead others to Christ. > > Get expert insights on weekly studies through the Ministry Grid (MinistryGrid.com/web/BibleStudiesFor Life). >Grow > with other group leaders at the Groups Ministry blog (lifeway.com/groupministry). > > Additional ideas for your group are available at BibleStudiesFor Life.com/blog. 37