The Light of the World

John 8:1-20

For thousands of years God’s people have confessed the truth of Psalm 119:105 “Your word…”

And the written, authoritative Word brings to our hearts the living Word. Who is the living Word? Well, in our studies in the gospel of John we learned that the living Word is Jesus Christ. He is the true and final Word from the Father.

And He declares Himself in our text to be the true lamp and light for all His people— He is the light of the World. From the first 3 verses of the Bible, Genesis 1:1-3, we see God speaking light into A formless and void world that He made. And Jesus here is now declaring that He has full authority to call Himself the true light that has come from God into this dark world. Main point: We must see Jesus as the True light for His people who delivered us and continues to deliver us from spiritual darkness.

Jesus is the true light because…

He Expels the Darkness of Shame and Condemnation Vs 7:53-8:11

To believe the living Word we must uphold the written Word of God, the Bible.

Excursus: I believe this is the Word of God. It is breathed out by God Himself, it is inerrant, and the only sufficient, certain, and infallible standard of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience. I need to start this way Today because I’m going to say something that may shock some of you. At the very least, may cause you to scratch your head.

But though I may bother you first, we’ll survey something that will unbother You later and cause you to rejoice.

Here’s the statement: Most conservative new testament scholars and pastors do not believe that the story of the women caught in adultery belongs in the Bible. It is not what John originally wrote. You need to know that I agree with them. I don’t believe this passage belongs in the canon of scripture. That’s why your Bible either puts double brackets around the entire passage and puts a heading above that says “The earliest manuscripts…

D.A. Carson, one of the worlds finest and best New Testament scholars says, “Despite the best efforts . . . to prove that this narrative was originally part of John’s Gospel, the evidence is against [them], and modern English versions are right to rule it off from the rest of the text (NIV) or to relegate it to a footnote (RSV).”(The Gospel According to John, 333)

A well-known pastor I know many respect also confirms: “Because we have so many manuscripts, there’s really little doubt that this was added later. If something isn’t in the oldest and shows up later, obviously it was added…but the problem is if it didn’t appear in the original text, then it is not inerrant.  There’s no guarantee that it’s accurate.  There’s no guarantee that it’s without error, like every other part of Scripture.” John MacArthur

And before you think i’m the young guy going rogue at the pulpit, Here’s what our lead pastor who does most of the preaching said: “Ditto.” - Justin Windham

Why it’s not original- 4 Quick reasons

Most of you know that the New Testament in your bible Was originally written in Greek. The earliest and oldest Greek manuscripts of the NT that we have today do not contain this story. That is, all the manuscripts up until the 5th century.

Related to that, No early church Father comments on this story when writing or preaching on the gospel of John. They pass straight from vs 52 of Ch. 7 to vs 12 of Chapter 8. We don’t see commentary appearing until the 10th century.

The style of Greek writing is different from how John normally writes in the rest of his gospel.

In the manuscripts we do have that contain this story insert this story in 3 different places than where you see it right now. Some add it after 7:36, after 21:25, or after Luke 21:38.

What happens in transmission

Why did this get added? What you need to know for today is that the way that the new testament came to us is through hand-written copies. We do not possess the original parchment or paper that Paul or the apostles wrote on, so we have copies of copies of copies. The first Greek New Testament did not come off of a printing press until the year 1516 by Catholic Scholar named Erasmus.

When you have a multiplicity of Greek manuscripts, as you can imagine from copying by hand and oral dictation, there are variations or scribal mistakes that occur. The bible didn't float down to us from the clouds on gold tablets. God used ordinary historical methods.

So this story, which was probably a story handed down orally, was added in by a scribe who was copying the New Testament. Then over time with more copies being produced, it made it’s way into the main text and became a part of our modern Bible which modern scholars are unwilling to remove so they put it in brackets to let us know that it’s a later addition.

Why you should trust your Bible and it’s authority

You may be thinking, “uh oh. What does this mean for the rest of the Bible? is any text up for grabs like this?”

The answer is a resounding NO! You can have full confidence in the Word of God you hold there in your hands. These kinds of situations like we have today are very rare and few. The only real significant texts to wrestle with are this one and the ending of the book of Mark.

God in His faithful sovereign providence, has preserved the original text for us and we praise God for those on the front lines laboring to hand to us the original wording of the rest of the Bible.

False teachers today will tell you that the Bible cannot be trusted because of these texts, but I’m here to tell you that it’s a lie.

The method that we have today to determine what was original and what is not is called “Textual Criticism.”

It’s when Greek scholars take all of the manuscripts, put them side-by-side and compare and contrast and they observe, “okay this small family of manuscripts contain this story, but these over here which are many, older, and of a significant geographical origin, do not contain this story so these over here are original and what John originally wrote.”

Here’s what is absolutely fascinating:

Here are some Other ancient documents we have from history:

Julius Ceasar’s Gallic Wars (50 or 58 BC)- Only 10 manuscripts dating from the 10th century AD or later.

Tacityus’ Histories and Annals from 100AD- only 2 manuscripts and they date from the 9th and 11th centuries.

No one sits there challenging these documents but just trust that these records are reliable. But think about this: (slide) We have roughly over 5,500 New Testament manuscripts today. And the oldest manuscript of the gospel of John dates to 125AD which is only 35 years after the New Testament was written! That’s incredible!

The reason you should be excited about this is because with that many manuscripts available, which are in alignment doctrinally, we can more easily discern and determine with a GREAT level of certainty what is original and what isn’t (Slide) God be praised for the evidence which shows us the faithfulness and the care taken by the scribes in copying the New Testament for us that the original wording has been preserved. 95% percent of the copyist mistakes are so minor and as insignificant as misplaced letters, repeating words, article changes or additions. Any other variations that we have less certainty about does not affect ONE Bible doctrine, the nature of Jesus, the gospel story or the way of Salvation. The overall tradition of manuscripts and the methods we call Textual Criticism has enabled us to be confident to call the bible we hold today “the Word of God.”

What to do with this beloved story…

Who doesn’t love this beautiful story of forgiveness and love? While I don’t believe that this story is original nor authoritative over your life, I do believe that this story happened as it is written for us. I praise God that this historical event was preserved for us. It doesn’t contradict Jesus’ nature or the character of the pharisees in the slightest. So I will now begin preaching The point of this story and use it merely as an illustration for what the rest of the bible teaches.

The main point of the sermon is that we must behold and see Jesus as being the true light who has come from God. He delivered us and still delivers us from our spiritual darkness.

That is what this world is filled with. And what the woman in this story was caught in— caught in sexual sin, the very act of adultery. That’s how the pharisees report it. To everyone around she is guilty, filthy, and steeped in darkness. But in Jesus’ eyes, she is also precious and loved.

Adultery is true darkness. It’s great wickedness In the sight of God. Look at how Paul Speaks of this…

Ephesians 5:3–8 (ESV): But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God…Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness…

Any kind of sexual sin— living with and sleeping with someone who is not your husband or wife, pursuing sexual relationship with someone who is not legally your spouse, homosexual desires or relationships, transgenderism, or even the affirming of those relationships, and as Jesus tells us any lustful look at another person who is not your spouse— is linked in the Bible with spiritual darkness. It entangles people. Enslaves them so that they are not only experiencing the natural consequences of their actions, but they experience deep shame.

And not only this, but all sexual sin is condemned by God. Because of these things, Paul said, the wrath of God is coming.

The culture around us will tell someone experiencing shame in these life styles is simply that they do not have a high enough self esteem and what needs to happen is that you just simply should embrace your inner feelings because that’s who you truly are And express fully as a way of reaching your truest self.

But a subjective feeling of shame is an alarm bell. It’s a check engine light. it points to the fact that we have objective guilt. And it’s not dealt with through higher self-esteem, but looking away from ourselves and the darkness that masquerades as light within, and fixing our eyes on the true light who is Jesus

The Woman is dragged and publicly embarrassed And the Pharisees seek to stone her according to the law of Moses.

After Jesus mysteriously bends down and writes on the ground, notice what he does,

He doesn’t defend her actions. He doesn’t excuse it, but as he does elsewhere, he fulfills and does away with the civil code of the Mosiac law and reestablishes justice and righteousness.

He says that classic line: He who is without sin can cast the first stone at her- As you can imagine, the stones start dropping one by one and the crowd leaves.

And while Jesus is alone with her, he asks her: who are those who condemn you? She responds, no one, Lord. and with gentleness and grace tells her: Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.

He doesn’t excuse her sin. The mosaic law would require stoning but Jesus is concerned about eternal condemnation which is what the death sentence for sin in the Old Covenant was suppose to point to. And the only One standing there who had every right to condemn her, to throw a stone at her, extends grace, forgiveness, and freedom.

Like Jesus does with another sinful woman in the account of Luke 7- He says her sins, which are many are forgiven and with Gentleness tells her Luke 7:48–50 (ESV): And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven”… “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

We see Paul reinforce this— “Since we have been Justified (declared righteous) by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord, Jesus Christ.”

The biblical picture is what we see in Zechariah 3:1-5. A man justly stands accused clothed in filthy clothes, and Jesus comes and takes those filthy cloths upon himself, and gives to us his pure clean clothes which represent His righteousness.

This is the light that truly drives away the darkness of shame. God’s grace establishes peace with God and you never deserved it to begin with. Now through no works of your own, no matter your past no matter your sin, sexual or otherwise, you can be declared righteous and made pure. Christ takes your sin on himself and is condemned in your place and what is now spoken over you is “Pure” “Not Condemned” “Innocent.” When the eternal one whose opinion of you matters more than any earthly temporary human declares a verdict over you better than you deserve, this brings the healing and freedom we most desperately want and desperately need.

He is the Light that Never Dies Out Vs 12a

Jesus declares that He is the light…

Notice He doesn’t say that He is a way to find light. He is the light.

What does John the gospel writer say about God in 1 John 1:5?

1 John 1:5 (NKJV)

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

God is light, Jesus is declaring to be the light. Therefore, Jesus is declaring to be God.

The allusions to the Old Testament are staggering. Jesus essentially declares to be what Israel failed to be, precisely because He is God—the only true light that never dies out, a characteristic attributed to God alone.

Additionally, remember the context. the Jewish feast being celebrated in Jerusalem would have celebrations that involve bright lamps and torches as they would dance and sing into the night.

It’s in this context that Jesus calls Himself the Light of the World.

He essentially says that because He is eternal, he’s the eternal light. He’s not like those torches and lamps used in the feast which die out with time, but He is an eternal light that never dies out.

We as His people have every reason to look to Him as the sufficient savior who can expel Spiritual darkness because he’s not like other temporary lights.

He is the Light given for the Whole World Vs 12b

The next part of vs 12 Jesus declares that He is the light of the WHOLE world.

The lamps lit during this Jewish feast only lit one courtyard in one region of the world.

Not only is Jesus an eternal light that doesn't flicker and die out, but He is a universal light. He brings illumination to the whole world.

God’s comforting words in the Old Testament are reaching true fulfillment here. The promise of light for all nations was there but the world sat in darkness, representing deception, sin, and death, and after the close of the OT, God even went silent. no revelation for 400 years.

But we have comforting promises like this:

Isaiah 9:2 (NKJV)

The people who walked in darkness

Have seen a great light;

Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,

Upon them a light has shined.

Other promises that the nation of Israel would be a light to the whole world like Isaiah 49. Where God promises that all gentile nations will see light and become worshipers of the true God.

But notice, Jesus comes now and declares that He is a light, not just to jews, but to all men! As Calvin points out, the whole world— not just one group of sinners, but all kinds!

He is the Light Who Gives Abundant Life Vs 12c

Notice Jesus’ invitation to experience this light

He says that the one following after Him will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.

Light of life — interesting phrase here. The case in the Greek for the word life can help us see that “life” is being used to describe the light. We could say “Light that leads to life.” Or “Life-giving light!”

The story of the woman caught in adultery Ends with these words- “Go and sin no more.” Jesus speaks like this elsewhere (John 5) and so does the Apostle. “Should we continue in sin that grace would about? By no means! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?” Because walking in the light of abundant life means enjoying freedom from the darkness of sin by our union with Christ.

Jesus doesn’t excuse the woman’s sin, he absolves her and forgives her sin, but then gives her now a whole new foundation and motivation to obey. The foundation and fuel for obedience is the abundant grace of God. We must receive Christ, be united to Him through Faith before we can follow Him and walk in the abundant life that He gives to us. We must encounter the light that is Jesus before we could ever enjoy walking in the the light.

The wonderful thing is that, as we follow Him, He still delivers us from the darkness that we willingly entangle ourselves in at times. The redeemed live this way: “…for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” Eph 5:8.

When you watch movies that have people in a dark cave and they’re suffocating. Often what happens in that scenario, is that a breach in the wall happens or a rock is moved. Then a beam of light shines into the cave. What’s the response? FOLLOW THE LIGHT!

Now the natural response to the light is that we follow and therefore enjoy the new life given. Following that well lit path of course is the path of eternal life! We enjoy it now and then when we die and are one day in God’s presence which will be the light for God’s people forever.

To still walk in darkness, meaning, to have a manner of life that is characterized by unrepentant sin and worldliness, showcases that you are not following Jesus. Those who are not following Jesus have never received Him nor eternal life which He brings.

Do we still stumble in darkness? Yes! Do we still struggle with worldly pleasure and sometimes fall into it? Absolutely.

But the child of God, once darkness, now walks as children of light by confessing sin to Christ and with honesty about our weaknesses bringing our sins before our church community, where His light brings healing and life. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin” 1 Jn 1:7.

Because when we look to the cross, we see the darkest of days but strangely enough, we see the brightest of days because the light of all the world was pierced for our sin.

He was brought into the darkness of the grave but then 3 days later, because God would not let him rot away in the darkness, as the sun rose that Sunday morning, the SON arose and shined the resplendent glory of the new creation into our dark world.

When we come to Him as the true light pierced for our sin, His light will…

Pierce through the darkness of shame & condemnation and brings cleansing and acquittal.

Pierce through the darkness of despair and hopelessness and brings comfort and consolation

Pierce through the darkness of death and destruction and bring light for eternity.

Why would we not follow Him? Those who have truly experienced the warmth and joy Of the light will always Hate the cold misery of the darkness.

Conclusion: He and His Father Confirm This Reality Vs 13-20

What we see from vs 13 and following is the pharisees once again challenging him and calling his testimony into question.

Jesus once again silences them and brings brilliant arguments to attest to this fact: Jesus has authority to claim that He is God and the true light of all the world.

Read. Vs 16-19

Again we have Jesus being distinguished from the Father so that you have 2 witnesses that confirm His testimony

and He equates Himself with the Father because as we know, Jesus is of the same essence as God the Father and is himself God.

The pharisees question Him because they just see a human standing right in front of them, little do they know that the reason Jesus’ authority is rock solid is because He is the eternal God and king over all.

This gives us as God’s people confidence today and I close with just a few reflections…

Because Christ bears witness about Himself and His authority is true, we can be confident that darkness no longer has dominion over us. Though we wrestle with sin until we die and aren't fully freed from darkness until we see Jesus, God be praised that darkness no longer has control and the true light has found us and we’re forever united with Him.

… We can have confidence to shine that light into this dark world by giving people Christ. By our speech and by our actions, walking as children of light will look like following Jesus unashamedly— We have the light, we have the hope while the world around us is filled with blind leading the blind.

In light of the fact that we talking about sexual sin in this illustration given, we find ourselves in a world characterized by the darkness of sexual sin and once again in that month that our culture and world has called “Pride month.” As followers of Jesus during this unique time where we are bombarded with lies being upheld as truth, walking in the light means that we don’t bow the knee to the culture, we don’t capitulate, and we by no means affirm what the bible says is evil. But walking in the light ALSO means that we don’t pretend that we were never like this world trapped in our own darkness.

How tragic if the church doesn’t extend love to those trapped in these pervasive lifestyles, thinking because our own sins look different we shouldn’t shine the light of Jesus into their darkness. Protect your family with the truth of Christ and His Word, but engage people, who are image bearers of God with love, and correct opponents of the truth with gentleness as God may grant them repentance leading to the truth.

How about we as the church boldly, gently, and with broken hearts bring the light of Jesus Christ to bear upon all kinds of sinners in our culture. Invite them to church. Let them see the only place where the light of Christ shines most bright.

We shine it for all men and women. Because after all, Jesus said I am the light of the WORLD. He who follows me will not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.