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JOHN - The Light Shines in the Darkness
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to John
PART 2 - Light Shines in the Darkness (John 5:1 - 11:54)
C - Jesus' Last Journey to Jerusalem (John 7:1 - 11:54) The Parting of Darkness and Light
1. The words of Jesus at the feast of tabernacles (John 7:1 – 8:59)

d) Jesus the light of the world (John 8:12-29)


JOHN 8:12
12 Again, therefore, Jesus 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.”

Jesus is the divine light. Whoever draws near to him is exposed, judged, enlightened and healed, so as to become a light in Christ. No other light can illumine us and heal our evil hearts, save Jesus. All philosophies and religions if measured will seem weak because they promise imaginary redemption and paradises. Truly they lead bad people into deeper blindness and bind them there. His light is a radiant sun reviving the soul. This soul healing has a condition, that is to approach Jesus by faith and to follow him by self-denial. And by this constantly following Jesus we are changed from darkness to light. We find the way in his light to reach the destination, that is the glory of the Father and Son in the brightness of life.

JOHN 8:13-16
13 The Pharisees therefore said to him, “You testify about yourself. Your testimony is not valid.” 14 Jesus answered them, “Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from, and where I am going; but you don’t know where I came from, or where I am going. 15 You judge according to the flesh. I judge no one. 16 Even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent me.

The Jews were scandalized by Jesus’ words, "I am," they thought that he was boastful and proud, making himself to be the light of the world. They described his witness as error and lies, exaggerated deceiving the soul.

Jesus replied, "My witness to myself is true, for I do not measure myself by myself, but by God’s truth with whom I am united always. You do not realize that I came from the Father and to Him I return. I do not speak of myself, but my words accord with God’s truth. My words are true, full of power and blessing."

"Your own words are superficial, for man only sees the husks. You regard yourselves as judges and believe in your abilities to pass judgment rightly. But you are mistaken, you do not know the source of things, nor their impulses or results. The proof of that is that you do not know me. You judge me merely by my humanity, but I abide in God at all times. If you realize that, you would know the true essence of the world."

Christ is the world’s judge, the incarnate truth at the same time. He did not come to condemn or destroy us, but to save us. He did not reject any wretch, criminal or outcast, but wished to save all and draw them into his love. Do not despise anyone, but discern in him the image which Jesus wishes to renew or create.

JOHN 8:17-18
17 It’s also written in your law that the testimony of two people is valid. 18 I am one who testifies about myself, and the Father who sent me testifies about me.”

On account of our weakness, Jesus descended to the level of the law. But he described this as your law, that is your system you need as sinners. In line with this law the person who wished to confirm the truth had to produce two witnesses to support his claims with all details. Then judgment would be passed on that basis (Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15). Jesus did not protest against this requirement. He treated his confession as the first witness, and his Father is the confirming witness, who substantiates the perfect harmony between them. Without His harmony the Son can do nothing. This is the mystery in the Holy Trinity. God testifies to Jesus, as Jesus testifies to God.

JOHN 8:19-20
19 They said therefore to him, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me, nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” 20 Jesus spoke these words in the treasury, as he taught in the temple. Yet no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.

The Jews misunderstood Jesus, and had no wish to understand, rather they wished to trap him in obvious blasphemy, so they asked, "Whom do you call Father?" Joseph was long since dead, and they knew what Jesus had in mind by "My Father." But they looked for a direct assertion that God was his Father.

Jesus did not answer them directly, because the knowledge of God is not apart from knowing Jesus. The Son is in the Father and the Father in him. He who rejects the Son, how can that person truly know God? But whoever believes in the Son and loves him, to him God reveals Himself; for whoever sees the Son sees the Father.

These words were spoken at a corner of the temple where contributions were gathered. Doubtless there were guards all round the temple. Despite these soldiers, no one dared arrest Jesus. God’s arm was his protection. The hour of his betrayal ordained by God had not yet struck. Only your heavenly Father can decide your destiny.

PRAYER: O Christ, we magnify and love you. You do not judge us as we deserve, but you save us. You are the light of the world, illumining those who come to you. Transform us by the rays of your love and soften our hardness that we might know you.

QUESTION:

  1. How does the witness of Jesus to himself as light of the world relate to our knowledge of the heavenly Father?

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