Week #38 The Choice John 8:21-36 Presented Live on August 13, 2017 I. Introduction and review A. Did anyone get a chance to meditate on the passage: John 8:12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life. B. What does that last phrase talk about? II. Jesus in this part of the chapter is still speaking with the Jewish religious establishment A. He tells them that soon He is going away [8:21] 1. Jesus is of course speaking of His ascension and eminent return to heaven and His Father 2. He tells the religious establishment that they can t come with Him or go to where He is going 3. And He gives the reason for that: they will all die in their sin a. Notice that Jesus says that they will die in their sin, singular b. Why would He use a singular noun instead of a Page 1 of 8
plural one? c. Have they only committed one sin? 4. It would seem to me that most intelligent readers would determine that there is one very important part of the statements Jesus is making, that should stand out to those Jesus is directing His comments at: [you] will die in your sin 5. But that part of what He said doesn t seem that important to them 6. In reality, Jesus is saying that these Jewish leaders are going to hell B. The Jews respond [8:22] 1. They seem more concerned about where Jesus is going then where they will end up 2. They seem to ponder the possibility of the whether or not Jesus is going to kill Himself 3. Is Jesus going to kill Himself? Consider: a. John 10:17-18 For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. 18 "No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father." b. The verb lay down is active, meaning that the subject of verb is performing the action 4. These Jewish religious leaders appear a bit dull and confused a. Why would they be confused? b. One possibility may be that from years of inbreeding they may not be the sharpest knife in the draw, in other words their confusion is actual Page 2 of 8
c. A second possibility may be that they are seeking to plant confusion in the minds of the people, so the confusion is manufactured d. A third is that they are confused intentionally (1) Intentional confusion can cover up what is really going on (2) They cover up that they have created a religion of legalism (3) And legalism is a tool useful in controlling people C. Jesus response to their confusion [8:23-24] 1. Jesus creates a series of contrasts: a. He is from above they are from below b. They are of this world, He is not of this world 2. He then repeats what should be a statement of horror a. You will die in your sins b. This time Jesus uses the plural form of the word Why? c. There is only one sin which can keep you out of heaven, a failure to believe in the living Lord d. That is the unpardonable sin e. Consider John 16:7-11 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; 11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. Page 3 of 8
f. But the remainder of their sins are recompensed once in hell 3. Is there any cure provided for their dilemma? a. Yes, belief in Jesus as their Savior b. Their response is much more terse and full of confusion: c. Who are you? [8:25-27] 4. Jesus response could be paraphrased to mean how many times do I have to tell you 5. Jesus then progresses in Him message, claiming that He has many more things to tell them a. And what He says is true b. And comes directly from the Father c. But John lets us know that they didn t even understand that He was speaking of the Father D. We should note that this is one of the most direct conversations that Jesus has had with the religious establishment up to now [8:28-29] 1. He has already told them that they are going to die in their sins 2. Then that their perilous plight could be avoided by simply believing in Him 3. And now, that He will die on a cross a. When you lift up the Son of Man b. This is the way Jesus refers to death on the cross c. Compare with John 3:14-15 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. d. Consider what Jesus is saying: (1) I m going to kill myself as a sacrifice for your sin Page 4 of 8
(2) By having you crucify me (3) Just as David told Goliath I m going to cut off your head with your own sword e. Jesus also predicts that when He is put to death in that fashion many will recognize Him as Yahweh (I am) (1) Let s look at that name (2) Greek: evgw, eivmi -- I am (3) Hebrew: hwhy I am [Ex. 3:14] 4. How does the religious establishment respond? 5. How do the bystanders respond? 6. Who are the bystanders? a. Those who came to hear Jesus teach b. And others who may have gathered to witness this confrontation E. Many of the bystanders came to a saving faith in our Lord that day [8:30] 1. Bystander salvation has a special place in my heart 2. We need to always be aware that that could happen 3. The cruise e.g. III. Jesus now speaks to those Jews who believed [8:31-32] A. He makes it clear that it is one thing to believe in Him resulting in salvation, and another to be a true disciple 1. Faith is Jesus is not the end but the beginning 2. After a birth growth must follow 3. Discipleship involves consistency 4. And when that consistency is achieved, through the power of the Holy Spirit, something happens 5. You will know, experientially, the truth a. Know ginw,skw ginosko {ghin-oce'-ko} b. It is akin to the Hebrew word to know [dy Page 5 of 8
yada` {yaw-dah'} 6. And knowing the truth will set such a one free a. The Greek here carries with it the idea of an indentured servant b. One who is enslaved as a result of a debt c. Once the debt is paid, the servant is freed d. That is how kn owing the Truth will set you free e. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. B. Free from what? That s the question that the Jews asked Him [8:33-36] 1. Free from the slavery of sin 2. The unbeliever is a slave of sin 3. A child of God has had his chains removed 4. Jesus draws a contrast between the son, a child of the father and a house slave a. The slave is used and then gotten rid of (1) harsh, yes (2) reality yes (3) what sin does to the unsaved, yes b. The son remains in the house and eventually inherits the house IV. Some final thoughts A. The true believer has his citizenship in heaven 1. His attention and affections are fixed heavenward 2. The unbeliever instead belongs to this world and is about worldly pursuits 3. Since their faith is not placed in God, their sins are not forgiven and therefore they will die in their sin 4. That should move us to feel compassion on the unbeliever no matter how wicked he or she may be. Page 6 of 8
B. Unbelievers live in darkness 1. They can t see the truth 2. Their only hope is that someone who has light, will provide that light to them long enough for them to see the truth C. The difference between spiritual freedom and spiritual bondage is whether you are a son or servant 1. You have a choice to be either 2. And it could be that your decision in that regard will influence someone else 2017 - Believer s Bible Class, & Douglas W. Brady Page 7 of 8
I ve Been Asked - - - The Top Countries where access is requested to our Website in 2017: #1. The United States of America #2. Israel #3. Canada #4. The Ukraine #5. Great Britain #6. China #7. France And because of our special Guest, Barrett Brady, being in class: #15. South Korea with 470 hits this year. Page 8 of 8