On Line Bible Study - For the Week June 4-10, 2012

Lesson 539

John 8:12-20

There are three (at least!) components to these nine verses in John 8.

1. Jesus is the Light.
2. Jesus is his own witness.
3. Jesus is the judge.

Jesus as the "light" anticipates the major event that is coming in Chapter Nine - the healing of a blind man.

Jesus as witness and judge - as well as the themes of not being able to arrest Jesus and uncertainty with regard to where Jesus is from (or where he is going to) - these are all reminiscent of verses in Chapter Seven.  For scholars and the very serious student of the New Testament these textual and literary details are most interesting.  For those simply trying to follow Jesus, what import is there to knowing of these repetitions and the textual telescoping that occurs in the Gospel?

Perhaps the simple fact of being reminded of these intricacies in the Gospel server to remind us that this is a work carefully crafted, painstakingly edited, and intensely focused with the hope of bring us to faith in Christ and to a deeper understanding of the implications of his message.

I am the light of the world, says Jesus (John 8:20).  If ever you have felt that life was confusing, that you were groping about with no sense of whether you were heading in the right direction or not, this text reminds us that when we intentionally follow Jesus, new insights occur.  We find ourselves on a path that has purpose and clarity of direction, even if we remain uncertain as to the final destination.

My testimony is valid, says Jesus (John 8:14b).  Truth can be so illusive.  At times it can seem to be entirely relative - and yet we yearn for some 'absolute'.  The Gospel invites us to accept the truth of who Jesus is and what Jesus says.  The notion that the majority somehow always steers toward the truth just doesn't work for us.  We who live in a democracy are all too aware of the fact that "Most of us" don't always necessarily get it right!  Jesus comes along - not by the will of the majority, but by the grace and love of God.  Can we accept that?  Can we believe that?

If I do judge my decisions are true, says Jesus (John 8:16).  Is it possible for any human being,including Jesus of Nazareth, to judge by anything other than human standards?  Even when the conclusions are difficult for us to accept, when Jesus' teachings convict us, we find ourselves both corrected and inspired.  We are "corrected" in such a way that we are assured of forgiveness.  We are "inspired" to go back out and try again, believing we will 'get it right' this time!

There is a lot going on in these nine verses.  If you have a chance, spend a few moments with them in the next several days.