SF052 - Christ the Light of the World (John 8 12-32)
Christ the Light of the World
John 8:12-32
Introduction
The Feast of Tabernacles provides the backdrop for today’s study. It was a celebration of God's care during the journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. The feast lasted 7 days. Jesus was teaching in the Court of Women; behind Him would have been a candelabra commemorating the pillar of fire that lead the children of Israel through the wilderness.
Using this backdrop Jesus taught teaches about Himself. He declares, “I Am the light of the world.” This is the second of seven “I Am” sayings is in John. We will see its significance as we study today’s lesson.
1A. One Light (8:12)
Jesus in this statement is declaring His deity. He is identifying Himself as the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night which the Israelites followed in the wilderness.
In doing so He makes three important statements concerning His relationship to His people.
1B. The cloud symbolized God’s presence with His people.
Exodus 13:21-22 The LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.
In the same way Christ now was is declaring, “I am God with you.”
Ø Not only is He with us, He will never leave us.
Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
2B. The cloud symbolized God’s protection of His people.
It was the cloud/pillar of fire that protected the Israelites from the Egyptians (Exodus 14:19-20)
It was the cloud that provided shade from the desert sun and heat during the desert nights.
Jesus provides the same protection for His people.
1 Peter 3:12-13 “FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER, BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL.” Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?
3B. The cloud was the primary means by which God guided His people.
When the cloud moved, the people moved; when it stood still, they stopped (Numbers 9:17-23).
In the same way Jesus goes before His people and leads us; He calls us to “follow Him.” (John 10:27; 12:26)
Ø In the words of the old hymn, we say, “where ever He leads me I’ will go.”
2A. Two Witnesses (8:13-18)
1B. Our Lord’s testimony doubted (8:13)
The Pharisees questioned the validity of Jesus’ testimony. They recognized that He has just declared His deity and they try to refute it by calling into question the truthfulness of His claim.
2B. Our Lord’s testimony defended (8:14-18)
By His unity with the Father (8:14)
By His divine means of judgment (8:15-16)
Ø Unlike the Pharisees you who made make their determination based on their sinful flesh, Jesus made makes all His judgments based on His sinless nature.
By His Father’s testimony (8:17-18)
Ø The Father had testified of the Son in the prophecies of the Old Testament.
Ø The Father had testified of the Son through John the Baptist.
Ø The Father had was testifying of the Son through the signs and miracles Christ had was performing.
3A. Three Questions (8:19-27)
1B. The insulting questions of the Pharisees
“Where is your Father?” (8:19)
Ø At the least it was a rejection of Jesus’ statement that there was a second witness to His claims.
Ø It may have been a reference to the peculiar circumstances of His birth and their belief that Joseph was not His father.
“He will not kill Himself will He?” (8:22)
Ø This question was rooted in the belief that those who killed themselves went to the lowest part of Hades.
Ø In their self-righteous minds they knew they would not go there.
“Who are you? (8:25)
Ø They are in essence, calling Jesus a nobody and refuting dismissing everything He has to say.
2B. The instructive answers of the Lord
James M. Boice in his commentary provides an excellent summary of our Lord’s answers to these questions.
Such questions are not asked by those know Him and therefore those who ask such questions do not know the Father either. (8:19, 23)
The day of God’s grace will not last forever. (8:21)
Those who do not believe on Him as Lord and Savior will die in their sins. (8:21, 24)
Those who die in their sins will go to hell and not to heaven. (8:21)[1]
4A. Three Proofs (8:28-32)
1B. His death (8:28)
This verse is a reference to His approaching death on the cross (John 12:32-33) and His resurrection. On the cross He would be lifted up, but the verb also refers to being exalted; this points to His resurrection and exaltation. The crucifixion was His moment of triumph (John 12:23, 31; 13:31), but it would only be recognized as such after His resurrection.
2B. His sinless life (8:29)
Unlike other men, He pleased the Father perfectly and completely. His sinless life is in view here.
Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
3B. His disciples (8:30-32)
The profession of many (8:30)
James 2:17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
Ø Profession without proof is worthless.
Ø It is relatively easy to profess faith in Christ.
A proof of true faith (8:31)
Ø “Continuance in His word is not a condition of discipleship, rather it ti is the manifestation of it.”[2]
Matthew 10:22 "You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.
A personal relationship with the truth (8:32)
Ø The truth is personified in Christ.
Ø Knowing Christ means freedom. (8:36)
Application
The challenge is still the same today. Christ has come as the Light of the World; you will either believe Him or you will reject His word. You will either embrace Him or flee from Him. You will either love Him or hate Him. Seek Him today while He may be found. May the Light Grace shine on you.
Preparing for Next Week
1. Please read John 8:33-59.
2. To what extent is the sinner the “servant” (bondslave) of sin (verse 34)?
3. What does verse 36 teach about the will of the natural man?
4. What is the difference between Abraham’s “children” (verse 39), and his “seed” (verse 33)?
5. What is the meaning of verse 43?
6. What is the force of “of God” in verse 47?
7. What is the meaning of verse 51?
8. To what was Christ referring in verse 56?
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[1] Boice, James M., The Gospel of John, Volume 2, The Coming of the Light, John 5-8, (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1985), 627-29.
[2] Pink, Arthur W., Exposition of the Gospel of John, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1975), 446.