Who's Your Witness?
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Two weeks ago, we looked at the events that were happening during the Feast of Tabernacles, or the Feast of Booths.
Last week, we looked at a section that fits nicely in the story line, but that was not in the earliest original manuscripts (most of them copied within the first 100 years of the original writing).
As we talked about last week, the original text would have gone directly from John 7: 52 to John 8:12.
Our passage today begins with verse 12 of chapter 8. So, if you have your Bibles, turn with me to John chapter 8 and we’ll begin reading with verse 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.”
The Light of the World
The Light of the World
John gives us a vague time marker that is really used to introduce the conflict that Jesus is about to face.
Jesus announces His second “I am” message:
Jesus says he is the light of the world (the first ‘I am’ was the bread of life (cf. Jn. 6:35). John 1:4 “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.”
Anyone who follows after Jesus will NEVER walk in darkness.
Instead, they will have the light of life in them Proverbs 4:18 “The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.”
Jesus, presenting himself as “the Light of the world” is fitting since the previous events (7:1-8:11) were centered around the Festival of Tabernacles, where large lamps would have been burning around the temple.
Not only that, but God led the children of Israel through the wilderness as a pillar of smoke during the day, and a pillar of fire at night. Fire—and light has always been a motif for God and His presence (cf. Ps. 27:1; 36:9; 119:105; Prov. 6:23).
The contrast here between light and dark is a contrast between the righteous characteristics of God (cf. Ezek. 1:4, 13, 26-28: Hab. 3:3-4), and the lack of God’s righteousness (or evil) in this world (cf. Jn 3:19-21; Eph. 5:8-14; Matt 6:22-23; 2 Cor. 6:14; 1 Pet. 2:9).
The Pharisees’ Challenge
The Pharisees’ Challenge
The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.”
The Pharisees accused Jesus of being the only one to testify about his identity (cf. Jn 5:31).
Since Jesus appeared as his own witness and there was no one to corroborate his testimony, his witness was invalid!
The Mosaic Law required that there be two witness to corroborate or validate a person’s testimony--one witness would not do (cf. Deut. 17:6; 19:15)!
In their mind, since Jesus testified about himself, without any other witness, therefore in their mind, there was no way that his testimony was true.
Jesus’ Response
Jesus’ Response
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.
The first thing that Jesus says, is that his testimony, about himself is valid (Gk. alethes: valid, true, real, genuine, honest) (v. 14a).
His testimony is “valid” because of two reasons (v. 14b):
Jesus knew where he came from (from God the Father).
Jesus knew where he was going (back to God the Father).
The problem with the Pharisees was that they had absolutely no idea who Jesus was or where he came from (v. 14c).
You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one.
The Pharisees pass judgment based on human standards (cf. Jn. 7:24) (v. 15a).
But Jesus says that He doesn’t pass judgment on anyone (cf. Jn. 3:17) (v. 15b).
But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me.
However, IF Jesus did pass judgment on someone/something, His judgments are true (Gk. alethinos: from the same root as valid back in verse 13, 14, here in 16 and once in verse 17. Meaning: true, trustworthy genuine, dependable, sincere) (v. 16a).
He does not stand alone in his judgment, rather he stands with his Father (a reference to God the Father) who sent him (v. 16b).
Appeal to the Mosaic Law
Appeal to the Mosaic Law
In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true.
Jesus acknowledges that the Mosaic law required the testimony of two witness (v. 17a).
But if there were two witness then the testimony was considered true (same Gk. root word as “true” in verses 13, 14, and 16) (v. 17b).
The Two Witness of Jesus
The Two Witness of Jesus
I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”
The first witness to who Jesus really is came from Jesus himself (v. 18a)!
The second witness is the Father of Jesus (God the Father) “who sent me” (cf. Jn5:37) (v. 18b).
The Pharisees Don’t Get It!
The Pharisees Don’t Get It!
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.”
The Pharisees demand to know where they can find the father of Jesus (v. 19a).
The problem is that they are referring to Jesus’ earthly father, while Jesus is referring to his true Father--God the Father (v. 19b).
Jesus’ Answer
Jesus’ Answer
Jesus tells them what their real problem is:
They do not really know Jesus or about Jesus (v. 19c).
Thus, because they don’t know Him, they don’t really know God the Father (v. 19d).
NOTE: As we read/study this passage we must keep in mind to whom Jesus is speaking. He is taking to the men who were supposed to be experts in the Law of God (the Mosaic Law) and they were supposed to have a true relationship with almighty God. Jesus is telling them that these religious leaders have NO true (real) relationship the God they say the represent!
A Reminder of the Scene
A Reminder of the Scene
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.
[SEE DIAGRAM ON THE SCREEN]
John gives us a location mark (v. 20a): Jesus was teaching:
In the temple courts.
Near the place where the offerings were given.
This was most likely in the “Woman’s Court.” This was the most accessible part of the temple and was where the Jews would give their offerings. There were 13 shophar (ram’s horn) shaped vessels where they would deposit their offerings. Each shophar was marked with an inscription which showed how the priests would use the gives deposited in that particular shophar (cf. Mark 12:41-42).
John gives us a side note (v. 20b):
No one even tried to seize Jesus.
Because Jesus’ time had not yet come (cf. Jn. 2:4; 7:6, 30). John includes this note, to emphasize the increased animosity of the Jewish religious leaders toward Jesus.
So What?
So What?
Throughout the ministry of Jesus, the religious leaders: Pharisees, Sadducees, Priests, Levites, and especially those who were part of the Sanhedrin—the highest court of justice for the Jews. It was also a supreme council over political, judicial, and religious powers—all stood in stern opposition to Jesus and His message.
It should come as no surprise that today, there are all kinds of people—even some church (or religious) leaders—that stand in opposition to the true Gospel message!
That is why you and I must know:
What we believe!
And just as important:
Why we believe it!
I love the Theme of this passage. Jesus says that He is the Light of the World!
Light of the World
Light of the World
Jesus as the Light of the world is seen throughout the writings of John.
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.
Here in John 8:12
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.”
And we’ll see it again in John 9:5.
While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
And John 12:35-36.
Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going.
Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.
Yet the wonderful truth for us is found in 2 Corinthians 4:6.
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
Now, Ephesians tells us that we are to live as children of light rather than as children of darkness. Look with me at Ephesians 5:8 and following.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light
(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)
and find out what pleases the Lord.
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
Peter reminds us of the fact that we are indeed a chosen people. We were chosen because we are a special possession of God’s. Look at 1 Peter 2:9.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
I notice two things in this last verse.
First, think about what Peter says. It is an amazing, great, and wonderful privilege to be brought into the the wonderful light of Jesus.
And, secondly we are to declare the praises of Jesus, who called you and me out of the darkness and into His (Jesus’) wonderful light!
So here’s the question for you this morning.
When was the last time you sat for a minute and thought about all the reasons that you have to praise the Lord Jesus?
It is those praises that we are to declare to the people around us. So, when was the last time you declared the praises of Jesus to those around you who are lost in darkness?
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
