John 8:12-30, Jesus: The Light of the World (1)

We believe that this declaration by Christ indicates it was still the “last day, that great day of the feast” (7:37).  That would mean the story of the woman caught in adultery was not part of the original text.

One reason for believing this has to do with Jesus’ words in 8:12. Each evening during Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) four large lamps in the Court of the Women were lit to illuminate the temple area.  It is believed they reminded Israel of how God led them in the wilderness at night, with the light of His glory.  These lights would not have been burning when Jesus said, I am the light of the world, but He could have been in that area and used the lamps to illustrate His point.  Remember that Sukkot was the main feast of Israel that was open to Gentiles.  The Messiah, according to the OT, was not only a light for Israel but was also “a light for revelation to the Gentiles” (Isa. 49:5-6; Luke 2:32).  Jesus announced that those who follow Him would “have the light of life.”  This is what we need: a light for our pathway in life that truly shows the way.  Jesus claimed to be that Light!

What follows from this are three “give-and-takes” with the Pharisees.

·       8:13-18: “I stand with the Father.”  The leaders refused to accept Jesus’ claim because there was no corroborating witness.  But Jesus says that His Father was with Him.  He had addressed this issue previously (John 5:37-38).  But they were not listening because they were not willing to know the truth (Jn. 7:16-17).

·       8:19-20: “If you knew Me, you would have known My Father also.”  In these words Jesus was claiming Oneness with the Father.  This theme will carry us through to the end of John 8, when they tried to stone Jesus for blasphemy.  For now, John just says Jesus was not arrested because His hour had not yet come.

·       8:21-30: “I am the One I claim to be.”  Jesus did not back down from His strong words.  First, in v21-23, He explained why the Pharisees did not see eye-to-eye with Him: You are from beneath; I am from above.  You are of this world; I am not of this world.  This is why He told them they would die in their sins.  Forgiveness is only found through faith in Christ.  As Messiah, He is the Savior that God has sent into the world.  The bottom line is that these men who were questioning and denying Jesus would not really know who He was until they “lift up the Son of Man,” referring to His crucifixion (John 3:14-15; 12:32). 

What do you think of Jesus as He engages the Jewish leaders?  Many in the crowd believed in Him that day.  But the leaders were so opposed to Jesus that they would not be able to bow before Him in faith, not until they succeeded in putting Him to death.  Are you evaluating Jesus with “righteous judgment?”  Are you hearing His claims?  He has made it clear that there is no salvation, no right standing with God, apart from Him.  Is your heart open to Him?