Jesus The Light For All Humanity John 8:12-20 Introduction

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1 Introduction Humanity exists in a kind of spiritual blindness; spiritual darkness. We find it difficult to see beyond our physical circumstances in this world. How far can you see? Can you see into the future? Can you see God? Can you see the true meaning, the true significance, the true purpose of life? Can you see or grasp with perfect understanding or embrace the assurance of eternal life? Are you in the dark? Those who find themselves in physical darkness will often seek the services of a guide or companion, who can help them brave the cruel obstacles of a modern world. The Bible speaks of a spiritual world where there are also dangerous obstacles. Though invisible to the naked eye, it is nonetheless real. Human beings apart from Christ cannot see into this spiritual, invisible world. We are in the dark. In this passage Jesus declares; I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life (v.12). Following Jesus and possessing the light of life give Believers the ability to negotiate those dark twists and turns and see clearly the path set before us. Jesus offers a series of claims to vindicate or justify His statement. The religious leaders are there to immediately contradict Christ s claim and present their own counter-claims; the statement of Jesus is invalid they say; their criticism; Jesus cannot be his own witness; therefore his testimony is invalid, or inadmissible. The religious leaders than spell out another counterclaim; since Jesus cannot produce the Father (show me the Father); the claim of Jesus must be ignored. Once again, Jesus will offer a series of proofs, convincing arguments to bring the contention to a proper conclusion. What proofs or convincing arguments does Jesus offer? Jesus knows where He came from and where He is going. Jesus contrasts the religious leaders imperfect understanding with His own perfect understanding. Imperfect understanding disqualifies the religious leaders because they are not qualified to judge. Jesus then makes an appeal to the testimony of the Law; and the presence of the Father in His own ministry. Two testimonies are offered; Jesus is the Light of the World; or the lies of the world. The Bible teaches that apart from Jesus Christ we are in the dark. I read this week that Nietzsche s father was a Lutheran Pastor who died early in Nietzche s life; that he himself studied theology; but abandoned belief and faith in Christ when he was convinced the historical evidence for the central teachings of Christianity were untrue. Hugh Hefner was raised in a minister s home. Joseph Stalin studied for the priesthood. Mao Tse-tung was raised under missionary teaching (R.Kent Hughes; p.231). We can be exposed to Jesus but that doesn t mean we walk in His light. We can be exposed by Jesus but that doesn t mean we flee from darkness. In this passage Jesus makes it abundantly clear that we are by nature in the dark, and He is by nature light. Jesus is the light of the world. But He is more than that. In this passage Jesus claims to be the same light that guided the 1

2 Children of Israel in the Wilderness; the Shekinah Light in the Temple; We are delivered out of darkness by believing and following Jesus Christ. The Powerful Claim and the Persuasive Consequence (vv.12-13) John 8:12; Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. This is the second in a series of I Am statements by Jesus in the Gospel of John. In John 6 Jesus said I Am the Bread of Life ; later I Am the Door of the Sheep and I Am the Good Shepherd etc. John 8:1-11 was a brief digression; but now we return to the last day, the eighth day of the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths. Torches burned bright along the Temple walls and in the Temple proper. Remember the Feast of Booths was marked by two great ceremonies or events; the pouring out of the water from the Gihon Spring; the pool of Siloam; and the other was called the Illumination of the temple; it was a spectacular event. In the center of the treasury (v.20); in the Court of the Women; four great torches were set up. Some accounts seem to indicate the torches were as high as the temple walls. At the top of the torches were candelabra s; menourhim; bowls holding sixty-five liters of oil. A ladder was placed on each torch; and young strong priests would climb the ladder to the top; where great wicks floated in the oil. It would create an almost bon-fire effect; and the whole Temple would light up. The Mishna describes the event; Men of piety and good works used to dance before them with burning torches in their hands singing songs and praises and countless Levites played on harps, lyres, cymbals, and trumpets and instruments of music (see R.Kent Hughes who quotes this section and gives details; p.228). The Jewish people would have heard over and over again that Israel was a light to the world, Jerusalem was a light to the world, Abraham and the prophets were a light to the world. The Psalmist certainly refers to the Word of God as a lamp and light. The pillars of light in the courtyard represented the Shekinah or the glory or the presence of the True and living God. This was the light that shone in the wilderness wanderings; this was the light that was present in the Tabernacle in the Wilderness and that shone for centuries in the Temple of Solomon. This mysterious, wonderful light, departed prior to the Babylonian invasion and never shone in the second temple. Like the cooper shields fabricated by King Rehoboam to replace the golden ones crafted by King Solomon; later stolen by the Egyptians, the Jews tried to keep up appearances with a make believe shekinah (see John Philips; Exploring the Gospel of John; p.160). Jesus is saying He is the Shekinah; the light; more than just a philosophical musing of a great teacher; Jesus is claiming to be the true light, the pillar, the cloud, Jesus is claiming to be God. Jesus is in effect saying I am the cloud, I am the guide, I am the one who protected you so that you would not stumble in the darkness. Jesus was the one who invaded Solomon s Temple and filled it with such glory that the Priest s were overcome by God s presence. Jesus is the light in every way. Are you stumbling in the dark? What does it mean to follow Jesus? The Greek verb translated follows is akolouthein. William Barclay does a great job of defining and listing five closely connected meanings: 2

3 1. It was used to describe a soldier who followed his commanding officer. Even today soldiers find themselves in foreign battlefields, foreign terrain, foreign customs, foreign language, foreign dangers. The diligent soldier obeys his commanding officer. Jesus is our commanding officer. We are soldiers in His army. 2. The word was used to describe the relationship of a slave and his or her master; the slave follows--the master, is available to the master and is directed by the master. 3. The word was used to describe a counselor or trusted advisor or mentor who offered precious advice, expertise. We follow the advice (of our doctor, lawyer etc). We Christians follow the expert advice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ given in His Word. 4. The word was used to following--the law or obeying the law of the city or the state. The Christian is a citizen of Heaven and we accept the laws of the Kingdom of God and its King, Christ. 5. It was used in rhetoric or instruction to follow the a teacher s line of thinking or reasoning on core issues, and difficult issues. We follow Jesus our teacher, we listen to His thinking and reasoning on core issues and difficult issues. We follow Jesus, we listen to His message and obey His message and follow His lead. To be a follower of Jesus means to give Him your mind, body, soul, spirit, service and obedience to the Master (adapted from William Barclay; The Gospel of John; Vol. 2; revised edition; p.12). Jesus says; He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. Some translations read He who follows Me shall Never walk in darkness. The children of Israel kept their eye on the cloud. They watched to see which way it would go. At night they walked in its light. During the day they followed a luminous cloud. No stumbling, no fear, no confusion. Jesus provides us with a clear and distinct path. Have you ever tried to negotiate through an obstacle course blindfolded? That is exactly what you are doing if you are attempting to live in this world apart from the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus promises to never walk in darkness and have the light of life. Not simply know, or see, but possess the light of life. We receive Jesus, we walk in His light, but we also possess the light of life. We shine with Jesus and for Jesus. Paul puts it this way in Ephesians 5:8; For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. A city on a hill cannot be hidden (Matt.5:14). Paul speaks of the dark black cloud that has descended on this planet; the world is dark but in Philippians 2:15 we have the light of life. John 8:13; The Pharisees therefore said to Him, You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true. The religious leaders would have been shocked and embarrassed by Jesus statement. The Greek verb to bear witness is martyreo--to testify and the noun martyria testimony --so the literal translation of the passage is you are testifying about yourself; your testimony is not true. The Pharisees immediately contradict the statement of Jesus. The enemies of Jesus respond to the great declaration of truth; with a great lie. 3

4 The famous bishop Augustine of Hippo once said; The very limit of human blindness is to glory in being blind. Jesus made a great claim; asserting a great fact about the true nature of things. What the sun is to the earth--the source of physical light; Jesus is to the world --spiritual light. It was a statement of fact by one who knew and understand the nature of ultimate spiritual reality; by one who cannot lie. The reality of light is affirmed by the fact that it shines. It needs no other witness. If a person denies that it shines, no more can be said. Jesus proclaimed a self-evident truth. That he was the light of the world was affirmed by his character, conduct and conversation. But they called him a liar. There remained no more to be said. The light shone; they said it didn t (John Phillips; p.161). Jesus in his patient loving compassionate way is still willing to reason with the religious leaders. Proof: Origin and Destiny (v.14) John 8:14; Jesus answered and said to them, Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going. Jesus tells the truth. Jesus takes two tracks of argument; one concerns personal testimony and the other the testimony of the law. Is character a credential? The truth claim of Jesus is rooted and grounded in His knowledge of His divine origin and destiny. Jesus came out of eternity and into time; soon he would leave time and return to eternity. Jesus had perfect knowledge of His Eternal Existence. There are truths about God that only God can affirm. The religious leaders were ignorant of Jesus true origin and true destiny. Jesus came from an invisible realm. Many of you know the story of Helen Keller who became deaf and blind at the age of 19 months after enduring a bout of Scarlet Fever. It gives me a deep comforting sense that things seen are temporal and things unseen are eternal Proof: Perfect Judgment (vv.15-16) John 8:15; You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. Think about what Jesus is saying about the religious leaders. You judge according to the flesh. In this circumstance the word flesh means in a carnal way, in a temporal way, in a superficial way; according to external appearances. The religious leaders were unable to form any valid opinion because of their carnality. That which is born of flesh is flesh. 4

5 How can an unregenerate, hard-hearted, wicked unbeliever understand and define the nature of Jesus, the person of Jesus, and the mission of Jesus? Jesus contrasts His spirit with their spirit. The religious leaders are ignorant of the facts; unable to comprehend with their minds, hearts, and when Jesus says-- I judge no one we must understand the statement in the context in which it is being offered. Jesus judges no one at that point; because He has not come to judge, but to seek and to save that which is lost. Jesus is motivated by love and compassion--at this point---and not by simply by law or by justice. Jesus will uphold both law and justice and judgment. John 8:16; And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. Proof: Corroborating Testimony (vv.17-18) John 8:17; It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. Jesus does not not excuse or ignore the Testimony of the Law. Why did the Law require the Testimony of two men? Because human beings are by nature flawed, wicked, we are filled with weakness and failings. The Law required the testimony of two witnesses who agreed in every point, in every detail, on the subject or claim or accusation at hand; in order to have an adequate basis to judge any given circumstance. Deuteronomy 19:15; One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established. We see something. We observe something. We may be clouded by malice, or anger, or bitterness, or selfishness. We might be motivated by fear or hatred, or revenge or prejudice. We can make honest mistakes. Two independent witnesses are less likely to falsify information in a compelling way; and if the witness is false, mistakes and contradictions usually come to light. When Jesus is later accused before the religious leaders; they present many false witnesses until they come up with two whose testimony sufficiently match before guilt can be pronounced. If the testimony of two men provide fair witness; how much more the testimony of the Father and the Son? John 8:18; I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me. Proof: The Presence Of The Father (vv.19-20) John 8:19; Then they said to Him, Where is Your Father? 5

6 Jesus answered, You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also. The religious leaders reject Christ s claim. Where is your Father Jesus? Show us your Father. Jesus responds that the religious leaders neither know Jesus or His Father. If I don t know a person, does that mean he or she doesn t exist? If the religious leaders had known Jesus they would have known the Father, since Jesus spoke of His Father; representing the Word and Message of the Father. Think for a moment. Jesus began to speak about His world. The world from which He came. The world where the reality of God is unmistakable. The Father was unknown, unreal, an enigma to the religious leaders; but the most certain, unmistakable reality to Jesus. John 8:20; These words Jesus spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one laid hands on Him, for His hour had not yet come. The treasury in the Temple was the most accessible place in the Temple. The treasury was near a place called Gazith, this is the place where the Sanhedrin held their sessions. Think for a moment. The religious leaders were at the very gate, the portal of earth. If ever there was a place where heaven and earth intersected, it was here--at this place. It was at the Temple were prayers were offered, and sacrifices made. This was the place of the altar, where priests ministered, where they cleansed themselves at the laver; the sacred michvahot; this is the place where the sacred bread was eaten at the sacred table; this was the place not far; where the Holy of Holies stood, where the curtain hung; and behind the curtain the sacred Ark of the Covenant; the mercy seat and winged cherubim. This is the place where in ancient times the Shekinah glory shone, the glory cloud. The treasury was located in the Court of the Women; so that men and women could hear His message. At the portal of eternity; Jesus is given protection for a season. No man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come. The religious leaders felt Jesus had invaded their territory. How ironic! The religious leaders had invaded His territory. The Temple belonged to Him; and He was greater than the Temple. They could hate Him. They could plan His death. They could feel the bitter burning well up inside their hearts; they could sent police to arrest Him; but it wasn t His time. No power on earth or in Hell could touch Him; until all the Father desires, comes to pass. The religious leaders walked in darkness. Those who followed the religious leaders walked in darkness. Jesus walked in the light. Those who followed Jesus walked in the light. Conclusion 6

7 A person once stood on a soap-box at Hyde Park Corner, pouring scorn on Christianity. People tell me that God exists; but I can t see him. People tell me that there s life after death; but I can t see it. People tell me there is a judgment to come; but I can t see it. People tell me that there is a heaven and hell; but I can t see them. He won a small smattering of cheap, polite applause, and climbed down from his pulpit. Another struggled on the soap-box. People tell me there is green grass all around, but I can t see it. People tell me that there is a blue sky above, but I can t see it. People tell me that there are trees nearby, but I can t see them. You see, I m blind. 7