The Light of the World Gospel reading: John 8:12-19 Video clip: https://youtube/watch?v=9R5VwxvUUvI The Light of the World 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.” 13 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. 16 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.” **Verse 8:12 Jesus as ‘the light of the world’ is one of seven “I am” declarations found in John. Additionally, Jesus said He is “the bread of life” (6:35); “the door” of the sheep (10:7,9); the “good shepherd” (10:11,14); the “resurrection and the life” (11:25); the “way, the truth, and the life” (14:6); and “the true vine” (15:1). Apart from these, Jesus referred to Himself as “I am” (6:20; 8:24,28,58; 18:5), which is an obvious reference to God’s identification as “I am” (Ex.3:14). Jesus exhortation that He is “the light of the world”, reassured and insisted that the hearers put their trust in the light while they had Him with them, so that they might become “sons of light” (12:35-36). Jesus concluded that He came into this world as “the light” so that no one who believes in Him should remain in the darkness (12:46). Unfortunately, according to John, the verdict is: ‘Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil (3:19-21). **Verses 8:13-14 The Pharisee’s challenge and Jesus’ response continues the animosity and hostility of John 5:31-47…Once more, Mosaic stipulations are in view (Dt. 17:6; 19:15). **Verses 8:14, 18 Jesus testimony speaks to the many witnesses who bore testimony of Him: John the Baptist (1:7-8, 15, 19, 32-34; 3:26); His own words (5:36; 10:25,32,37-38; 15:24); God the Father (5:37-38; 8:18); and the Scriptures (5:39). ‘The “witness” theme found in John is part of the larger “trial subject.” **Verse 8:15 Jesus statement possibly echoes 1 Samuel 16:7. Many rejected Jesus as the Messiah because He did not come with royal and regal fanfare, but appearances can be deceiving (Is. 53:2-3). **Verse 8:17 On the testimony of two witnesses refers to the requirements found in the Old Testament …“ 6 The one condemned to die is to be executed on the testimony of two or three witnesses. No one is to be executed on the testimony of a single witness. 7 The witnesses’ hands are to be the first in putting him to death, and after that, the hands of all the people. You must purge the evil from you.” Deuteronomy 17:6-7) .... and 15 “One witness cannot establish any wrongdoing or sin against a person, whatever that person has done. A fact must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15). HCSB Study Bible, Holman Christian Standard Bible
Posted on: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 13:37:37 +0000
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