Light of Life

Moonlit walk - Winter snow - lighting up the outside

No such thing as moonlight. It is reflected sunlight.

Road construction lights - like daylight - so workers cannot disrupt the “busyness” of the city

Glow of city lights -

Light was important to the Feast of Tabernacles - 4 large lamps lit each night starting on the first day - all the city could see the glow of those lamps from the temple.

In our reading today - Jesus expands upon the idea of light as he continued in the temple courts teaching. Please stand as we honor the reading of God’s word.

John 8:12–30 NIV

12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 13 The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.” 14 Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. 16 But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. 17 In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. 18 I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.” 19 Then they asked him, “Where is your father?” “You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” 20 He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come. 21 Once more Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come.” 22 This made the Jews ask, “Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, ‘Where I go, you cannot come’?” 23 But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.” 25 “Who are you?” they asked. “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied. 26 “I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is trustworthy, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.” 27 They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. 28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. 29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” 30 Even as he spoke, many believed in him.

THE WORD OF GOD, FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD

ASSERT

verse 12 - Light of the World - not just the Temple or the city - “the World”

Follow him - never in darkness - might be around - but follow the light - have the light of life

ACCUSE

verse 13 - The Pharisees - “why should we believe you?’

Old testament requires 2 or more witnesses - especially for “capital” or death sentence cases - but in minor ones, too, often required more than 1 witness.

ANSWER

verse 14 - “I know who I am”

verse 15 - judged not by human standards

verse 16 - not alone - “I stand with the Father, who sent me”

verse 19 - silly question for us “Where is your father?“ - Pharisesees wanted to hear from Him

But Jesus answer is: “If you knew me, you would know my Father”

to know Jesus is to know God

ANNOUNCE

verse 21 - announcing that he is going away.

verse 23 - you are from below - I am from above

verse 24 - “I am” he - the Greek is the divine name but Jews apparently thought he “mis-spoke” They “get it” later at the end of chapter 8.

verse 28 - lifted up the Son of Man - then you’ll know!

John 1:17 NIV

17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Grace - Jesus says: follow me and never walk in darkness but have life

Truth - Jesus says: you will die in your sins - if you do not believe in me

Verse 30 - “even as He spoke - many believed in Him”

Valid for the world Jesus spoke to that day.

Valid for the world Jesus is speaking to today.

Perhaps we made the lifetime decision to follow Jesus and that is great.

But I also think we have a decision each day:

will we walk in His light, in His grace for the day?

He is the “Light of the World” - How will we respond to Him? Will we follow Him? Will we choose the “light of life” rather than walk in darkness?

Jesus is waiting for our response.