Class Lesson March 20, 2016

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE

Several years ago, while traveling in a major city, our family was using the subway on an especially crowded day. When the train arrived at our station, my wife and I surged ahead with the crowd, moving two of our children forward. We each thought the other was holding our youngest son’s hand, but as the train began moving, we saw him standing in the boarding area. Alone.

We panicked. We jumped off the train at the next stop and grabbed the first train headed back in the other direction. We prayed the whole way, trying to hold back the tears, fearful of what might happen to a little boy left all alone. We arrived to find our son still standing there on the platform, wide-eyed and wondering where we had gone. In the end, all was well.


We all know the feeling of vulnerability is disconcerting, to say the least. Jesus knows life can be overwhelming, but He has not left us alone. He protects us and assures our ultimate safety with Him.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

John 10:7-15, 27-30 (NIV)


7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.

8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them.

9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

...............................

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.

13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

...............................

14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—

15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.

27 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.

29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and the Father are one.” 

 



The gate for the sheep (v. 7)—A shepherd corralled sheep into makeshift pens at night for protection, forming a door with a bundle of sticks or his own person.



To the full (v. 10)—The Greek word carries the connotation of super abundant or exceedingly abundant, well beyond the minimum. It can refer to both quality and quantity. 

The Gate

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John 10:7-10

When Jesus announced, “I am the gate for the sheep” (v. 7), He meant He was the only door for the sheep. He was claiming an exclusive status as Savior of the world—a claim that is repeated throughout the New Testament (see John 14:6 and Acts 4:12). While some chafe at this claim and try to soften it, there are no alternative meanings for Jesus’ words. Jesus is not one way to God, He is the only way.


Jesus based His illustration on a sheep pen with a gate, not a closed room with a door (as our culture would think of a door). The only way to legitimately enter a sheep pen is through the door or gate. Since the sheep pen symbolizes a relationship with God, it follows that Jesus, the Gate, is the only way to enter that relationship. Trusting in anything else—good works, religious tradition, the faith of others, and so on—will not give you access to a relationship with God. You must trust in Jesus alone.


Jesus warned about people who would distract His sheep from following Him. He said, “All who have come before me are thieves and robbers” (v. 8). Jesus was referring to religious leaders, such as the Pharisees and Sadducees, who were more interested in personal gain than in leading people to God. In very strong language, Jesus condemned anyone who interferes with people coming to Him.


Yet Jesus’ words were not all negative. He also gave two wonderful promises:

• Anyone who follows Christ “will come in and go out, and find pasture” (v. 9).
• “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (v. 10).

Jesus’ followers move freely through life enjoying His blessings. We are promised abundant life—the opportunity to live life to the fullest.


Modern advertisers promise you can “have it all,” but they lie. You can never get what you need through the products they advertise. Jesus promised you would have everything you need in life for true contentment and fulfillment—but only in Him. Jesus has given you more than you deserve and all of what truly matters in life.

John 10:11-13

Jesus made another significant “I am” statement in verse 11: “I am the good shepherd.” Every shepherd does good for his sheep—leading them to pastures, protecting them from predators, tending to them when they’re sick, and so forth. Jesus’ listeners would have expected this, but He claimed much more. He described the good shepherd as one who “lays down His life for the sheep” (v. 11). Jesus does more than care for His sheep; He died for them.


Unfortunately, Jesus also highlighted two kinds of enemies who can limit people from establishing a relationship with God:


1. The hired hand. Since he doesn’t own the sheep, the hired man leaves them and runs away when trouble comes.


2. The wolf. The wolf “attacks and scatters” the sheep as an intentional act of destruction.


One enemy abandons the sheep when trouble comes; the other is the trouble. The Pharisees who heard these words likely cringed at the comparison. Jesus earlier had compared them to “thieves and robbers” (v. 8), and now to hirelings and wolves. Jesus minced no words in describing the damage religious leaders do when they are more concerned about preserving their traditions than introducing people to Christ.


Jesus’ condemnation extends to any person—even a simple church member—who puts religious traditions and preferences ahead of helping people find their way to Him. It’s easy to lose spiritual focus and think the church exists to meet our needs. It’s dangerous to think our ways of doing things are the only acceptable choices and our preferences are best for everyone.


That’s what the Pharisees did, and it can happen to us as well. 

John 10:14 -15, 27-30 

Jesus’ care for His people (His sheep) is comprehensive and irrevocable. He promised that when He gives eternal life, His followers “shall never perish” (v. 28). He used a two-fisted example to demonstrate what He meant. Jesus said of His followers, “No one will snatch them out of my hand” (v. 28) and “No one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand” (v. 29).


As a young Christian, the fact that Jesus held me securely was difficult for me to believe. My mistake was assuming my efforts secured my relationship with God. While talking with a youth pastor and another friend about this, the pastor took off his wedding ring and handed it to my friend. He told him to make a fist around the ring and then wrap his free hand around his fist. Then the pastor put both his hands around my friend’s hands. My youth pastor turned to me and said, “Try to get the wedding ring out of our hands.”


Obviously, I couldn’t do it. Then he said: “Jeff, Jesus has hold of you. God has hold of Jesus. You are completely secure. You are like the wedding ring; nothing can get to you.”


That illustration isn’t perfect, but it has stuck with me over the years. We are far more secure than that wedding ring. Once you establish a relationship with Jesus through faith, you belong to Him completely and permanently. No attack can defeat you, no sin can disqualify you, and no person can steal you away from Christ (see Rom. 8:31-39).

LIVE IT OUT

How will you respond this week to the offer of Jesus’ protection?

Consider the following options:

• Identify your fears. Be especially aware this week of circumstances that cause you to experience fear or concern. Record those moments in a journal or list, and use them as a starting point for prayer. 

• Study Christ. Read more about the relationship between Jesus and the Father. See page 61 for a short description of what we know about God, and invest time in reading the Scriptures provided. 

• Share what you’ve learned. Be intentional about sharing how Jesus has calmed your fears with someone who needs to hear it this week. Pray that God would provide opportunities and conversations that open the door for you to share what you’ve learned.

When fear arises, remember your security is in Jesus. He and the Father have you in a double-fisted handful of protective custody. Nothing can pluck you from their hands! 


Lesson Today:

 

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This week we look at "Our Need for Protection" as we continue in this series from the Gospel of John. You know, home security is a big business. Burglaries occur every 15 seconds. Homes with security systems are 3-times less likely to be broken into and 75% of those burglaries are never completed because of the alarm system. That's a pretty convincing endorsement for the need of a security system and a lot of people are paying attention to this need for protection!

Unfortunately, we don’t always give the same attention to our spiritual lives. No matter how much protection we wrap around things, they can still be removed or destroyed by force or by natural disaster. However, we can have a life secure in Christ that nothing or no one can take from us or destroy.

In this week's lesson Jesus states that He is the Good Shepherd who can offer us ultimate protection. 
 




I. JESUS: THE GATE WHO PROTECTS and the ENTRYWAY to ABUNDANT LIFE
John 10:7-10
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

What does Jesus mean when He says that He is the gate for the sheep?

• When Jesus announced, “I am the gate for the sheep” (v. 7), He meant He was the only door for the sheep. He was claiming an exclusive status as Savior of the world—a claim that is repeated throughout the New Testament (see John 14:6 and Acts 4:12). While some chafe at this claim and try to soften it, there are no alternative meanings for Jesus’ words. Jesus is not one way to God, He is the only way.

• Jesus based His illustration on a sheep pen with a gate, not a closed room with a door (as our culture would think of a door). The only way to legitimately enter a sheep pen is through the door or gate. Since the sheep pen symbolizes a relationship with God, it follows that Jesus, the Gate, is the only way to enter that relationship. Trusting in anything else—good works, religious tradition, the faith of others, and so on—will not give you access to a relationship with God. You must trust in Jesus alone.

Who was Jesus referring to as thieves and robbers?

• Jesus warned about people who would distract His sheep from following Him. He said, “All who have come before me are thieves and robbers” (v. 8). Jesus was referring to religious leaders, such as the Pharisees and Sadducees, who were more interested in personal gain than in leading people to God. In very strong language, Jesus condemned anyone who interferes with people coming to Him.

Where do we encounter “thieves and robbers” in today’s world?


Jesus gave two wonderful promises:

1. Anyone who follows Christ “will come in and go out, and find pasture.”

2. “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

 

What does Jesus mean by having life to the full?

• Jesus’ followers move freely through life enjoying His blessings. We are promised abundant life—the opportunity to live life to the fullest.

• It is tempting for us to equate abundant life with the cheap imitations of the world. The abundant life that is ours through Christ does not necessarily involve comfort, wealth, or an abundance of worldly things. When Jesus talks about abundance, he is referring to the things of God—relationship, presence, power, steadfast love, and abundant forgiveness.

• Modern advertisers promise you can “have it all,” but they lie. You can never get what you need through the products they advertise. Jesus promised you would have everything you need in life for true contentment and fulfillment—but only in Him. Jesus has given you more than you deserve and all of what truly matters in life.

• Indian Jones and the Last Crusade is one of my favorite movies—it’s great entertainment but it packs a powerful punch of a message about finding happiness and joy [Show the clip toward the end of the movie when Elsa has fallen to her death grasping for the grail and then Indiana nearly dies as he reaches for the Holy Grail even as his father is trying to save him.] Indiana Jones is grasping for the Holy Grail even as he is about to plunge to his death. His father implores him, “Indiana, let it go.” All too often it is not what we lack that inhibits us from experiencing abundant life: what keeps us from experiencing life abundant is the stuff of earth that we do not want to let go of or to lose. Jesus said that he came to give life, and give it abundantly. If that is the case, then we have to seriously talk about what keeps us from experiencing the life abundant that Jesus came to give us. Here’s a clue: The things that inhibit us from experiencing life abundant on earth today and in heaven to come are the things we refuse to let go of.

II. JESUS: THE GOOD SHEPHERD WHO CARES for US John 10:11-13

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
What did Jesus mean when He said, “I am the good shepherd?”

• Every shepherd does good for his sheep—leading them to pastures, protecting them from predators, tending to them when they’re sick, and so forth. Jesus’ listeners would have expected this, but He claimed much more. He described the good shepherd as one who “lays down His life for the sheep” (v. 11). Jesus does more than care for His sheep; He died for them.

The 23rd Psalm

There was a man that many years ago started with a company at the bottom but was determined to get to the top. He had unusual abilities and energy and he used all that he had. He succeeded and became the president of the company and has all the things that go with this position. Yet, along the way, he left out something, and one of those things he did not achieve was happiness. He had become a nervous, tense, worried, and sick man. Finally, one of his physicians suggested that he talk with a minister. 
 

The minister talked to him about how his physician had given him prescriptions and he had taken them as prescribed. Then the minister took a sheet of paper and wrote out his prescription for the man. He prescribed the 23rd Psalm, five times a day for seven days. And the minister insisted that he take it just as it was prescribed. He was to read it first thing when he woke in the morning. Read it carefully, meditatively, and prayerfully. Immediately after breakfast, he was to do exactly the same thing; also after lunch, again after dinner, and finally the last thing before he went to bed. It was not to be a quick, hurried reading. He was to think about each phrase, giving his mind time to soak up as much of the meaning as possible. At the end of just one week, the minister promised, things would be different for him.
 

The 23rd Psalm is one of the most powerful pieces of writings in existence, and it can do marvelous things for any person. It can change your life in seven days. 
 

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “A man is what he thinks about all day long.” Marcus Aurelius said, “A man’s life is what his thoughts make it.” Norman Vincent Peale said, “Change your thoughts and you change your world.” The Bible says, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7).
 

The 23rd Psalm is a pattern of thinking, and when a mind becomes saturated with it, a new way of thinking and a new life are the result.

Let’s break it down:

The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want.

What does this mean to you? 


Immediately after World War II the Allied armies gathered up many hungry, homeless children and placed them in large camps. There the children were abundantly fed and cared for. However, at night they did not sleep well. They seemed restless and afraid. Finally, a psychologist hit on a solution. After the children were put to bed, they each received a slice of bread to hold. If they wanted more to eat, more was provided, but this particular slice was not to be eaten – it was just to hold. The slice of bread produced great results. The child would go to sleep, subconsciously feeling it would have something to eat tomorrow. That assurance gave the child a calm and peaceful rest. 
 

David points out something of the same feeling in the sheep when he says, “The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.” Instinctively the sheep knows the shepherd has made plans for its grazing tomorrow.
 

So the Psalm doesn’t begin with a petition asking God for something, rather it is a calm statement of fact – “The Lord is my shepherd.” We do not have to beg God for things. In Matthew 6:8 Jesus says, “Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him,” All life came from God. That includes my life. God keeps faith with the birds of the air and the grass of the field. And Jesus asks us to think that if God will do so much for a simple bird or a wild flower, how much more will He do for us? (Matthew 6:25, 34) David says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” With that faith we can work today without worrying about tomorrow.


He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.
What does this mean to you?  

The shepherd starts the sheep grazing about 4am. The sheep walk steadily as they graze; they are never still. By 10am the sun is beaming down and the sheep are hot, tired and thirsty. The wise shepherd knows that the sheep must not drink when it is hot, neither when its stomach is filled with undigested grass. So the shepherd makes the sheep lie down in green pastures, in a cool, soft spot. The sheep will not eat lying down, so he chews his cud, which is nature’s way of digestion. If you study the lives of great people, you will find that every one of them had to take moments away from the hurry of life for rest and reflection. The Psalmist said, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Elijah found God, not in the earthquake or the fire, but in “a still small voice.” Jesus took time to be alone and to pray. This many times is the most difficult thing for us to do. Sometimes God will put you on your back in order to give you a chance to look up: “He maketh me to lie down.”


He leadeth me beside the still waters.
What does this mean to you?

Sheep are very timid creatures especially around swift moving water. They are poor swimmers because of their heavy coat of wool. Instinctively, the sheep knows it cannot swim in swift current. The sheep will not drink from a moving stream. The sheep will drink only from still waters.
 

The shepherd doesn’t laugh at the sheep’s fears. Nor does he try to force the sheep. Instead, as he leads his sheep across the mountains and valleys, he is constantly on the watch for still waters, where the sheep can drink. 
 

This has wonderful meaning for us. God knows our limitations, and He does not condemn us because we have weaknesses. He does not force us where we cannot safely and happily go. God never demands of us work which is beyond our strength and abilities. Instead, God is constantly ministering to our needs. He understands the loads upon our shoulders. He also knows where the places of nourishment and refreshment are located. It should give us confidence in knowing that even while we sleep, the Shepherd is working to prepare for our needs tomorrow.

One of the finest ways to relieve a tension in your life is to picture still water clearly in your mind. Maybe it’s a small lake among the pine trees, maybe a tiny cool spring on a hillside, or maybe even a calm sea with gentle, rippling waves. After the picture becomes clear, then start repeating and believing, “He leadeth me beside still waters.” Such an experience produces a marvelous surrender and trust that enables one to face the heat of the day confidently, knowing that there is refreshing and relaxed power waiting under the leadership of one wiser than we. 
 

He restoreth my soul.
What does this mean to you?  

David remembered that as the sheep start out in the morning graze, each takes a definite place in line and holds that same position all during the day. However, some time during the day each sheep leaves its place in line and trots over to the shepherd. The shepherd gently rubs the nose and ears, lightly scratches the ears, and whispers in an ear of the sheep. Reassured and encouraged, the sheep takes its place in line again. 
   
David remembered how close he once was to God, how God protected him as he went out to meet the giant Goliath, how God guided him along the way to success. Then David got busy. He was able to look after himself. He felt no need of God. He lost his nearness to God. And he did wrong. His burden of guilt became too heavy to bear – he repented, and God heard, forgave, and restored David again. 

“He restoreth my soul” can have another meaning. “He revives life in me.” Lie a watch, the human spirit can just run down. We lose our drive and push. We become less willing to attempt the difficult. Like squeezing the juice from an orange and leaving just the pulp, life has a way of squeezing the spirit out of us. We can become only a shell. We feel the thrill of no new enthusiasm, the dawn of a new day leaves us cold and hopeless. The Bible tells us that God made the first man and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7). And God has the power and the willingness to breath a new breath of life into us when we need it. Only God has this power – “The psychiatrist’s couch cannot take the place of the church in solving the problems of a frustrated society.” “He restoreth my soul” – “He revives life in me.”



He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
What does this mean to you?

 
We come to forks in the road of life and cannot decide which way to turn. There are decisions to be made and yet it’s so hard to decide. We get lost. We need guidance, and confidently David declares, “He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness” (in the right paths). 
 

David remembers his own experiences as a shepherd. He knew that the sheep has no sense of direction. A dog, a cat, or a horse, if lost, can find its way back. Not so with sheep! The sheep has very poor eyes. It cannot see 10 or 15 yards ahead. The sheep are willing to trust the shepherd for where they go. 
 

Notice that the Psalm says, “He leadeth me.” God doesn’t drive. He is climbing the same hill that we climb – man is not alone. The wise man says, “In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:6). That is such truth – the person who sincerely seeks to do God’s will, whatever His will may be, will know the leadership of Eternal Wisdom. 
 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me.

What does this mean to you? 


There’s a story of a mother who collapsed when she heard the news that her son had been killed. She went in her room, closed the door, and would not see anyone. Her minister came and sat down beside her but she wouldn’t speak to him. For a little while all was quiet and then slowly the minister began saying, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Phrase by phrase, he gently spoke the words of the Psalm, and she listened. When he came to that great phrase of comfort, she joined in and together they said, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me.” And a smile came upon her lips, and she said, “I see it differently now.”
 


Of course, “the valley of the shadow of death” refers to more than the actual experiences of physical death. It has been translated, “the glen of gloom.” It might refer to every hard and terrifying experience of life. 
 

There is an actual Valley of the Shadow of Death in Palestine: It leads from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea and is a very narrow and dangerous pathway through the mountain range. The path is rough, and there is danger that a sheep may fall at any moment to its death. But the sheep are not afraid. Why? Because the shepherd is with it. 
 

And so we too, can say with assurance as David did, that wherever my pathway leads, I will not be afraid, why? “For Thou art with me.” There is power in His presence.


Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.
What does this mean to you?

 
There once was a man that was hurt terribly during a cyclone. From then on much of his fear in life was tied to the event of yet another cyclone. There was nothing he could do about it. One day his children decided to build a cyclone cellar. When the man saw the cellar he felt that he had protection and it was a great comfort to him. 
 

The sheep is a helpless animal. It has no weapon with which to fight. It is an easy prey to any wild beast of the field. It is afraid. But the shepherd carries a rod about 3 feet long to fight off the prey. David remembers his own need for a rod as he told Saul how he slew a lion and a bear in protecting his sheep.

Also the shepherd carried a staff, about 8 feet long. At the end of the staff it was turned into a crook. If a sheep lost its footing and fell, the shepherd could reach down with his staff and place the crook around the small chest of the sheep and lift it back on the pathway. The sheep is instinctively comforted by the shepherd’s rod and staff.

I have insurance on my automobile and home. I hope I will never need it, but I’m comforted by the fact that I have it. I regret that our country spends so much money on military preparedness, but I’m comforted when I think of the condition of this world, and the strength that we have. 
 

There is overwhelming evil in the world. We are scared people. Many times we feel helpless; then we find comfort in realizing the power of God. 
 

God is not just a cyclone cellar or insurance policy, but listen how James Montgomery describes Him:

 

God is my salvation: what foe have I to fear?

In darkness and temptation, my light, my help is near:

Though hosts encamp around me, firm in the fight I stand,

What terror can confound me, with God at my right hand?

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.

What does this mean to you?
 

The pastures of the Holy Land had poisonous plants that were fatal to the sheep if eaten. Also, there were plants with sharp thorns that would penetrate the soft noses of the sheep and cause ugly sores. Each spring the shepherd would go out and dig these enemies of the sheep out of the ground and pile them up to burn. Then the pastures were safe for the sheep to graze. The pastures became, as it were, a table prepared. The present enemies were destroyed. 
 

As we move along through life, we know there will be enemies seeking to destroy, but the Shepherd of men is out ahead of us and we can be assured of His protection.


Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over
What does this mean to you? 

Sometimes when the sheep had grazed all day, they would come in through the gate and the shepherd would check them one by one to see if they had cut or bruised their heads on stones or thorns while grazing. If they did, he would put soothing oil on their head to heal and soothe their wounds. David says here, “Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup …” He didn’t say “our” heads. It’s a singular pronoun. In our verses today John 10:3 says, “He calleth His own sheep by name” – I like that, it makes me feel important.


Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.

David was an old man when he wrote the 23rd Psalm. He has seen tragedies and disappointments, but he had also come to know God – a God who knows the needs of His children and who abundantly provided for those needs, a God who can restore life and takes away fear. In spite of dark clouds that may have loomed on the horizon, with a God like Him whom David knew, David was sure the sun would shine tomorrow.


And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

There’s no place like home…


III. JESUS: THE GOOD SHEPHERD WHO SECURES US ETERNALLY

John 10:14 -15, 27-30  

14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.

27 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”


How is Jesus our ultimate security and protection?

• Jesus’ care for His people (His sheep) is comprehensive and irrevocable. He promised that when He gives eternal life, His followers “shall never perish” (v. 28). He used a two-fisted example to demonstrate what He meant. Jesus said of His followers, “No one will snatch them out of my hand” (v. 28) and “No one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand” (v. 29).

What makes Christians question their security in Christ?

• As a young Christian, the fact that Jesus held me securely was difficult for me to believe. My mistake was assuming my efforts secured my relationship with God. While talking with a youth pastor and another friend about this, the pastor took off his wedding ring and handed it to my friend. He told him to make a fist around the ring and then wrap his free hand around his fist. Then the pastor put both his hands around my friend’s hands. My youth pastor turned to me and said, “Try to get the wedding ring out of our hands.” Obviously, I couldn’t do it. Then he said: “Jeff, Jesus has hold of you. God has hold of Jesus. You are completely secure. You are like the wedding ring; nothing can get to you.”

• Once you establish a relationship with Jesus through faith, you belong to Him completely and permanently. No attack can defeat you, no sin can disqualify you, and no person can steal you away from Christ (see Rom. 8:31-39).

What’s our role in accessing and benefiting from Jesus’ protection?

• When fear arises, remember your security is in Jesus. He and the Father have you in a double-fisted handful of protective custody. Nothing can pluck you from their hands!

LIVE IT OUT  

Our national leaders make promises, our government sets policies in place, and our law enforcement and military personnel put their lives on the line to make us secure as a people and nation. Even so, the truth is, our world is an insecure place. We live in an era of threats generated by people with hearts filled with hate.
 


Only one source of security is certain. We can only be secure in Jesus. Even those who may threaten and take the body cannot touch the soul (Matt. 10:28). All who trust in Jesus are protected and safe in Him. We take hope in that wonderful truth. 

 
Prayer of Commitment

Good Shepherd, I live today and face tomorrow believing I am eternally secure in Your hands. Amen.



Hope to see you on Sunday!


In His Love,


David & Susan

Class Lesson March 13, 2016

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE

Late one Saturday night, my five-year-old son accompanied me on a quick trip to our church. It was pitch black outside as well as inside the building. The light switches were across the foyer from the entry. As we shuffled along in the dark, moving toward the switches, someone touched my hand. I screamed! My son squeezed my hand harder and said, “Don’t worry, Daddy, it’s me.”

What a relief!

When you are surrounded by darkness, it’s good to know someone is with you. It’s even better to have someone turn on the lights.




As we’ll see in John 8, Jesus is always with us, no matter how dark life may seem. And He does more than turn on the light. Jesus Himself is the Light of the world.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

John 8:12-19 (NIV)

12When 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.”

13The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.”

14Jesus 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.

15You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one.

16But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me.

17In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true.

18I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”

19Then 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.”



Light of the world (v. 12)—Jesus illumines the path we are called to follow.


Darkness (v. 12)—The antithesis to light. Here, “darkness” is used as the metaphorical equivalent in religious language to evil, immorality, and other spiritual forces aligned against God.


Testimony (vv. 13-14)—A courtroom term referring to statements about which a person would swear in a court of law; in this case, it meant speaking truth about what one has witnessed about God.

John 8:12

Jesus had been teaching in the temple complex during the Festival of Tabernacles (see John 7:2,14). The morning after the last day of the festival, Jesus went again to the temple and began to teach. As He taught, the religious leaders brought to Him a woman who had been caught in adultery (see 8:2-11). They did so “at dawn” (v. 2). As the sun came up, the people would have been coming out of darkened houses to experience the fresh light of a new day. This helped set the stage for Jesus’ incredible pronouncement: “I am the light of the world.”


Notice Jesus did not claim to provide light to the world. He declared Himself to be “the light of the world.”


The concept and symbolism of light is very important in the Bible. Light is used as a symbol or reference for salvation in both Old and New Testaments (see Ps. 27:1 and 1 John 1:7, for examples). When Jesus proclaimed that He was the Light of the world, He thus announced Himself as the only Source for salvation. Jesus is the only true Savior.


The Bible also uses light to symbolize God’s direction. God had led His people by a pillar of fire at night during their wilderness wanderings (see Ex. 13:21-22). Appropriately, this event had just been commemorated through the Festival of Tabernacles during the time Jesus made this temple visit.


Think about the nature of Jesus’ claim in an agrarian society. During a time before electricity, when light was more difficult to create and more precious to maintain, Jesus declared Himself to be light. Jesus identified Himself as a primary Source for a fundamental need among humanity.

Jesus also followed His assertion with a promise: “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (v. 12). Jesus promised we would never be in darkness.

It’s easy for people to become enamored with what appear to be other sources of light—worldly wisdom, media information, popular philosophies, and so on. All of these sparkle and shine to get our attention, but ultimately they lead down dark trails of frustration and desperation. Trust Jesus as the Light: your Savior and Guide. 

John 8:13-15

The Pharisees reacted negatively to Jesus’ assertion that He was the Light of the world. Their objection was based on the law: “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid” (v. 13). This, however, was not the first time Jesus had heard this accusation, and He previously cited four witnesses in His defense—John the Baptist, His works, His Father, and Scripture (see John 5:31-39).


Jesus didn’t disagree that valid testimony requires corroboration (see Deut. 17:6; 19:15). Therefore, He produced other witnesses to back up His declaration. The problem was the Pharisees’ determination to ignore any information that contradicted their foregone conclusion that Jesus was a fraud. They weren’t about to be confused by the facts.

Many religious people today have made up their minds about what constitutes spiritual “truth”—even when it contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture. Unbelievers make the same mistake by trusting in their reason, man-made philosophies, or humanistic education rather than in God’s Word. No matter how unreasonable their positions may be, both groups hold fast to what they believe rather than submit to Jesus and biblical truth.


Jesus knew the truth, and He knew His testimony was valid. “My testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going” (v. 14). He appealed to His origin and His destination as proof of His Deity. He had come from His Father and would soon return.


The Pharisees’ problem was their humanistic worldview. Jesus said, “You judge by human standards” (v. 15). They started with themselves and incorporated God into their lives wherever they could. Jesus calls us to start with God as our Father and adjust our lives accordingly. He must be at the center of our lives, with everything else ordered around Him.

  

John 8:16-19

Jesus came to extend salvation, not condemnation, to all people (see 3:17). He came as light to overcome darkness, not just as a judge to condemn darkne6ss. He came as an exclusive Savior, and all people will be judged based on their choices about Him.

Continuing His testimony, Jesus used an argument based on the law—the Pharisees’ ultimate source of authority: “In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true” (v. 17). This was based on Old Testament passages which required at least two credible witnesses to determine guilt in a legal proceeding (see Deut. 17:6-7; 19:15). Jesus declared His claims to be true because they were based on the testimony of two witnesses—Himself and His Father. These two witnesses are the pinnacle of anyone who might be called in any judicial proceeding.

Jesus concluded this exchange with His most pointed rebuke: “You do not know me or my Father” (v. 19). Imagine how stunning those words must have sounded to the arrogant Pharisees who paraded themselves as public models of religious devotion. They claimed to know God; in fact, they claimed to know more about God than anyone else. Yet Jesus pronounced them to be illegitimate usurpers with no genuine relationship with the Father.

We must not make this same mistake. Jesus is the Light of the world, and God the Father is His corroborating witness. Therefore, live your life under His authority in submission to His instructions.

LIVE IT OUT

Since Jesus is the Light of the world, how will that truth influence your actions and attitudes this week? Consider taking one of the following steps in response:

• Identify. Seek out an area of your life in which you are following sources of light other than Christ. Take action to move away from those sources and follow Christ.

• Submit. Begin each day this week by verbally submitting yourself to God. Proclaim your desire to walk only in the direction revealed by the light of Christ, and continually pray for guidance throughout the day. 

• Study. Read a book on Christian worldview such as Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis. If possible, study this book with someone else and discuss what it teaches about following the light and direction of Jesus.

There will be times when you find yourself in darkness—our world is filled with it, after all. But you never have to be alone in that darkness. When you follow Jesus, you will always be able to find the Light. 

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Our Lesson Today:

 

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THE GUIDING LIGHT

Do you remember this intro? “And now, The Guiding Light.” It is an old one. According to Guinness Book of World Records The Guiding Light was the longest running drama of all time. It came on the air in January 25, 1937 five days after President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s second inauguration as 15 minute serials. It then lasted some 18,000 episodes and 72 years, finally ending on September 18th, 2009.

The series was created by Irna Phillips who based it on her personal spiritual experiences of having given birth to a still-born baby and finding comfort in listening to on-air sermons. These sermons provided the nucleus upon which the show was based. The Guiding Light refers to a lamp in the study of a minister who would turn it on to be a sign for the residents to find help when needed.

With such an extensive history the show reflected, in a sense, the changing times of this country. Over the years the preacher was removed, the Christian message dissipated and the inspirational themes evolved into typical soap exploitation and glorification of sin. Even the “the” was removed and the light went from being exclusive and singular to being just a Guiding Light among many.

 

This is what has happened to our world today - we have removed the exclusive and singular Guiding Light.

 

Today, Jesus returns the "The" and declares that He is the guiding light to the world! 

Today we will see in John 8 that Jesus is always with us, no matter how dark life may seem. And He does more than turn on the light. Jesus is the Light of the world. And once again this truth points to God.


THE POINT: Jesus is the Light who reveals the way we should go. 

I. Jesus Is the Light of the World - John 8:12

12When 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.”


Light of the world - Jesus illumines the path we are called to follow.

Darkness - is used as the metaphorical equivalent in religious language to evil, immorality, and other spiritual forces aligned against God.


This is the second of seven “I AM” declarations of Jesus, recorded only in John’s gospel. Jesus is claiming that He is the exclusive source of spiritual light. No other source of spiritual truth is available to mankind.



What was going on that might have led Jesus to use light as His second I am statement?

• Jesus had been teaching in the temple complex during the Festival of Tabernacles (see John 7:2, 14). This festival commemorated how God had led His people by a pillar of fire at night during their wilderness wanderings (Ex. 13:21-22).The morning after the last day of the festival, Jesus went again to the temple and began to teach. As He taught, the religious leaders brought to Him a woman who had been caught in adultery (see 8:2-11). They did so “at dawn” (v. 2). As the sun came up, the people would have been coming out of darkened houses to experience the fresh light of a new day. This helped set the stage for Jesus’ incredible pronouncement: “I am the light of the world.”
• Another feature of the Feast of Tabernacles was a dramatic ceremony of lights. Four great lamps were perched high in the temple courts tall enough to rise above the temple walls. The lamps were filled with many gallons of oil. Priests would light the cloth wicks in the lamps. The tremendous light generated from these huge golden lamps and emanating from the temple complex out to the city was said to light up all the courtyards of Jerusalem. Celebrants would dance beneath the lamps carrying flaming torches and singing songs. Levites standing on the fifteen steps leading down from the Court of Israel to the Court of the Women played harps, lyres, cymbals, trumpets, and other musical instruments. Jesus once again showed up in the temple to teach during the Festival of Tabernacles. During His talk, He gave another momentous “I am” saying. Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world.” Jesus made His great declaration of being the Light of the world in the context of this Festival of Tabernacles with its dramatic light ceremony. Jesus seems to have been claiming dramatically that He could light up not only all of Jerusalem, like the great Tabernacle’s candelabras in the court of the temple, but the whole world.
• Notice Jesus did not claim to provide light to the world. He declared Himself to be “the light of the world.”

Why is light a fitting metaphor for Jesus?

• The concept and symbolism of light is very important in the Bible. Light is used as a symbol or reference for salvation in both Old and New Testaments (see Ps. 27:1 and 1 John 1:7, for examples). When Jesus proclaimed that He was the Light of the world, He thus announced Himself as the only Source for salvation. Jesus is the only true Savior. Jesus makes known the truth of God that leads to life.
• The Bible also uses light to symbolize God’s direction. God had led His people by a pillar of fire at night during their wilderness wanderings (see Ex. 13:21-22). Think about the nature of Jesus’ claim in an agrarian society. During a time before electricity, when light was more difficult to create and more precious to maintain, Jesus declared Himself to be light.
• There are two types of light in the world. We can perceive one, or both, or neither! When we are born into this world, we perceive physical light, and by it we learn of our Creator’s handiwork in the things we see. However, although that light is good, there is another Light, a Light so important that the Son of God had to come in order to both declare and impart it to men. John 8:12 records, “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 have the light of life.’” The allegory used by the Lord in this verse speaks of the light of His Truth, the light of His Word, the light of eternal Life. Those who perceive the true Light will never walk in spiritual darkness.
• “God is light,” says 1 John 1:5. Light is a common metaphor in the Bible. Proverbs 4:18 symbolizes righteousness as the “morning sun.” Philippians 2:15 likens God’s children who are “blameless and pure” to shining stars in the sky. Jesus used light as a picture of good works: “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds” (Matthew 5:16). Psalm 76:4 says of God, “You are radiant with light.”

Jesus is the inexhaustible and inextinguishable light who illuminates humankind in spiritual matters and reveals the way of salvation.




Where do you see evidence of darkness in today’s world?

• Entertainment world, relationships, politics, drug culture, abortion, rise of homosexual influence

In what way is Jesus a "light"?

• He brings Truth to these elements of darkness in our world
• He shows the contrast between the darkness in our world and God’s plan
• He shows God’s solution for these examples of darkness

How is Jesus the light in your world?

• By reading what God says in Scripture
• By lighting the pathway of our lives
• By giving direction in decisions
• He brings Truth to bear in different situations we face

How are people in a state of darkness before they believe in Jesus?

• They are living without Jesus … without God’s influence in their lives
• They are not aware of their own problems or how to escape their problems, struggling with no understanding of the way out.
• They are not even sure what the problem is

What is impossible for the person who follows Jesus to do?

• Those who follow Jesus cannot also live in darkness.
• Jesus identified Himself as a primary Source for a fundamental need among humanity. Jesus also followed His assertion with a promise: “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (v. 12). Jesus promised we would never be in darkness.
• We take a candle into a room to dispel the darkness. Likewise, the Light of Jesus Christ has to be taken into the darkness of sin that engulfs the hearts and lives of those who are not following Him. That’s the condition behind having this Light—that we follow Him. If we do not follow Him, we will not have this light, this truth, this eternal life.

• The fact that God is light sets up a natural contrast with darkness. If light is a metaphor for righteousness and goodness, then darkness signifies evil and sin. First John 1:6 says that “if we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.” Verse 5 says, “God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.” Note that we are not told that God is a light but that He is light. Light is part of His essence, as is love (1 John 4:8).The message is that God is completely, unreservedly, absolutely holy, with no admixture of sin, no taint of iniquity, and no hint of injustice.
• If we do not have the light, we do not know God. Those who know God, who walk with Him, are of the light and walk in the light. They are made partakers of God’s divine nature, “having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” (2 Peter 1:4).

What is a benefit that comes to the one who follows Jesus?

• It’s easy for people to become enamored with what appear to be other sources of light—worldly wisdom, media information, popular philosophies, and so on. All of these sparkle and shine to get our attention, but ultimately they lead down dark trails of frustration and desperation. Trust Jesus as the Light: your Savior and Guide.
• Physical light is necessary for physical life. The earth would certainly change very rapidly if there were no longer any sunlight. A forest full of trees with very thick canopies of foliage high above has very little plant life on the ground except for moss or lichen, which needs little sunlight. Plants will never move away from the light—they are said to be positively phototropic, drawn to the light. In the same way, spiritual light is necessary for spiritual life, and this can be a good test of our standing in Christ. The believer will always tend toward spiritual things; he will always tend toward fellowship, prayer, the Word of God, and so on. The unbeliever always does the opposite (John 1:5; 3:19–20) because light exposes his evil, and he hates the light. Indeed, no man can come into the true spiritual light of Jesus Christ, unless he is enabled (John 6:37).

Jesus’ two promises if you follow Him:


1. His followers will never walk in darkness, which is a reference to the assurance of salvation we enjoy. As true followers of the Light, we will never follow the ways of sin, never live in a state of continually sinning (1 John 1:5–7). Rather, we repent of our sin in order to stay close to the Light of the world. Those who follow Jesus receive life.



2. We will reflect the Light of Life. Just as He came as the Light of the world, He commands us to be “lights,” too. In Matthew 5:14–16 we see believers depicted as the light of the world. Just as the moon has no light of its own, reflecting the light of the sun, so are believers to reflect the Light of Christ so that all can see it in us. The Light is evident to others by the good deeds we do in faith and through the power of the Holy Spirit. God is light, and it is His plan that believers shine forth His light, becoming more like Christ every day. “You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness” (1 Thessalonians 5:5). God is the Creator of physical light as well as the Giver of spiritual light by which we can see the truth. Light exposes that which is hidden in darkness; it shows things as they really are.



What does it look like never to walk in darkness (spiritual darkness)?

• Assurance of freedom from sin (the penalty and the power of sin)
• We are able to see the way through spiritual problems
• We are able to bring God’s wisdom and Truth to bear on all aspects of life

WHAT’S YOUR TESTIMONY

If you were called as a witness to testify about who Jesus is based on your personal experiences with Him, how would you respond?




What prevents you from sharing your experiences with Jesus more freely?

• The emphasis here is maintaining a credible and obvious witness in the world, a witness that shows us to be faithful, God-honoring, trustworthy, sincere, earnest, and honest in all that we do. Also, we should always be ready to give an account of the hope that we have (1 Peter 3:15), for the gospel Light we have is not to be covered, but made obvious for all to see and benefit from, that they, too, may leave the darkness and come into the Light. The emphasis here is maintaining a credible and obvious witness in the world, a witness that shows us to be faithful, God-honoring, trustworthy, sincere, earnest, and honest in all that we do. Also, we should always be ready to give an account of the hope that we have (1 Peter 3:15), for the gospel Light we have is not to be covered, but made obvious for all to see and benefit from, that they, too, may leave the darkness and come into the Light.
• Christians cannot sit idly by and watch others continue in the darkness of sin, knowing that those in darkness are destined for eternal separation from God. The Light of the World desires to banish the darkness and bestow His wisdom everywhere (Isaiah 9:2; Habakkuk 2:14; John 1:9). In taking the light of the gospel to the world, we must by necessity reveal things about people that they would rather leave hidden. Light is uncomfortable to those accustomed to the dark (John 3:20).

 

II. Jesus’ Word About Himself Is True and Trustworthy - John 8:13-15

13The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.” 14Jesus 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. 15You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one.


Testimony - A courtroom term referring to statements about which a person would swear in a court of law; in this case, it meant speaking truth about what one has witnessed about God.



What was their response to Jesus’ claim to be the light of the world?

• They said, your claims are your own, you have no other person or witness to back you up. Anyone can make claims like this, you need additional proof. The Pharisees reacted negatively to Jesus’ assertion that He was the Light of the world. Their objection was based on the law: “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid” (v. 13).
• In response to Jesus’ proclamations regarding Himself, the Pharisees accused Him of unsubstantiated testimony, which the law did not allow. Hence, they insisted to Him that “your testimony is not valid.” The law did demand multiple witnesses for serious cases (see Num. 35:30; Deut. 17:6; 19:15), which later Jewish tradition extended to other cases as well. The requirement for a matter to be verified by more than one witness prevented a single, disgruntled individual from being able to create legal problems for another. We see this law in effect during the Sanhedrin trial of Jesus as the religious leaders produced many witnesses against Jesus, but the testimonies of the various false witnesses did not agree with one another (see Mark 14:55-59). Jesus’ opponents may have been trying to throw His own words back at Him. Earlier Jesus had said that if He testified about Himself, then His testimony was not valid (see John 5:31). Even then, however, Jesus had pointed out that His words about Himself were corroborated by His mighty works, the testimony of John the Baptist, and that of the Father Himself. His words had not stood by themselves.

How did Jesus validate His claim?

• Jesus didn’t disagree that valid testimony requires corroboration (see Deut. 17:6; 19:15). Therefore, He produced other witnesses to back up His declaration. The problem was the Pharisees’ determination to ignore any information that contradicted their foregone conclusion that Jesus was a fraud. They weren’t about to be confused by the facts.
• Many religious people today have made up their minds about what constitutes spiritual “truth”—even when it contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture. Unbelievers make the same mistake by trusting in their reason, man-made philosophies, or humanistic education rather than in God’s Word. No matter how unreasonable their positions may be, both groups hold fast to what they believe rather than submit to Jesus and biblical truth.
• Jesus knew the truth, and He knew His testimony was valid. “My testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going” (v. 14). He appealed to His origin and His destination as proof of His Deity. He had come from His Father and would soon return.
• Jesus responded to the present charge in a manner consistent with His earlier assertion that the Father bore witness to the validity of His words: “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid.” Jesus’ answer is true but could not be understood without faith in Him. Jesus asserted, “I know where I came from,” that is, from heaven. Therefore, He has the heavenly Father’s testimony. Such testimony would de facto both fulfill and trump the requirement of the law or tradition for multiple witnesses.
• However, Jesus immediately acknowledged that this answer would not satisfy His opponents, since they did not believe in Him and, thus, “have no idea where I come from or where I am going.” Since these religious leaders refused to recognize and acknowledge Jesus’ identity as the Son of God, the Messiah, they likewise failed to understand that He had come from God and would be returning to God. Their blinded eyes could not see the Father’s testimony in the life and ministry of Jesus, so they perceived Him to be acting and speaking on His own behalf without any supporting evidence.

Why could the Pharisees not understand who Jesus was?

• The Pharisees’ problem was their humanistic worldview. Jesus said, “You judge by human standards” (v. 15). They started with themselves and incorporated God into their lives wherever they could. Jesus calls us to start with God as our Father and adjust our lives accordingly. He must be at the center of our lives, with everything else ordered around Him.
• Not believing in Jesus is clear evidence that His opponents were judging by human standards; Jesus would not play that game. If human standards were the rules by which the Pharisees wished to play, rather than the righteous standards of God, Jesus would abstain. “I pass judgment on no one,” He countered. His role at this time in history was not to be a judge but to be a light. Jesus had already pointed out that God had not sent Him to condemn the world but to save it. But, tellingly, He had also stressed that the one who would not believe in Him was condemned already (see 3:17-18).
• Jesus is not to be evaluated by the standards of this world for He is not of this world.

What are some reasons people give today for rejecting God’s Word as truth?

• It’s all a myth. Jesus was only a good teacher; he could not have been God.
• It’s all written by men, they are not infallible; religion is only a crutch for the weak.
• At a deeper level, they don’t want to become subject to God’s standards of living; don’t want to give up sinful actions and attitudes.
• They choose not to open their spiritual eyes to the Light of the Gospel message.

III. Jesus Makes Known God the Father - John 8:16-19

16 But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. 17 In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. 18 I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.” 19 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.”



What did Jesus not come to do?

• Jesus came to save, not to condemn.

• Jesus came to extend salvation, not condemnation, to all people (see 3:17). He came as light to overcome darkness, not just as a judge to condemn darkne6ss. He came as an exclusive Savior, and all people will be judged based on their choices about Him.
• Jesus had previously stated that He did not judge anyone (see v. 15). The day would come, however, when that would change. And when Jesus does judge, His judgment, in contrast to that of His opponents, will be true. How so? What makes His judgment different from that of the religious leaders? The truth is here: “because I am not alone. I stand with my Father, who sent me.” Jesus claimed a special relationship with God (see 16:32). This special relationship changed the equation. Just as His testimony was not unsupported as the Pharisees had argued, so His judgment will not be in isolation, either. As the Father has willed, so Jesus has done and will do.

Why should the judgments of Jesus be accepted as valid and true?

• Continuing His testimony, Jesus used an argument based on the law—the Pharisees’ ultimate source of authority: “In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true” (v. 17). This was based on Old Testament passages which required at least two credible witnesses to determine guilt in a legal proceeding (see Deut. 17:6-7; 19:15). Jesus declared His claims to be true because they were based on the testimony of two witnesses—Himself and His Father. These two witnesses are the pinnacle of anyone who might be called in any judicial proceeding.

Why did Jesus say to His opponents that in spite of what they claimed, they truly did not know the Father?

• Jesus concluded this exchange with His most pointed rebuke: “You do not know me or my Father” (v. 19). Imagine how stunning those words must have sounded to the arrogant Pharisees who paraded themselves as public models of religious devotion. They claimed to know God; in fact, they claimed to know more about God than anyone else. Yet Jesus pronounced them to be illegitimate usurpers with no genuine relationship with the Father. We must not make this same mistake. Jesus is the Light of the world, and God the Father is His corroborating witness. Therefore, live your life under His authority in submission to His instructions. Jesus reveals the Father and is Himself the only way to Him.

What does it mean to walk in the light?

• To walk in the light means to know God, understand the truth, and live in righteousness.
• To “walk in the light” is a common metaphor within Christian culture. It is often taken to mean “acting correctly” or even “living openly.” Biblically, however, the phrase has the idea of relinquishing sin by following Jesus. The only Old Testament occurrence of this precise phrase is in Isaiah 2:5, “O house of Jacob, come and let us walk in the light of the Lord.” The Psalms contain similar phrases (56:13; 89:15), as does Isaiah (9:2; 50:10-11; 59:9). In the New Testament, “walking in the light” is directly related to following Jesus, who said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12). While this verse does not directly say, “Walk in the light, i.e., Jesus,” it does pointedly warn of doing the opposite; therefore, those who follow Jesus are “walking in the light.”
• To “walk” is, in short, to live one’s life. One’s lifestyle or way of life can be considered a “walk.” The word also indicates progress. Walking is related to growth; it is taking steps toward maturity. “Light” in the Bible can be a metaphor for life, happiness, righteousness, or understanding. The Bible is clear that light comes from the Lord God, the “Father of the heavenly lights” (James 1:17). He is the opposite of evil. Putting it all together, “walking in the light” means “growing in holiness and maturing in the faith as we follow Jesus.”
• The apostle John repeatedly used the “light” metaphor in relation to the Messiah. For example, he writes that Jesus is “the true light that gives light to every man” (John 1:9). In 1 John 1:7 he says, “If we walk in the light as He [God] is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” In verse 5, John says that God’s very nature is light. Jesus, then, is the conduit or provider of light to the world.
• Our Christian duty is to live in the light God gives: “Now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8). When we walk in the light, we cannot walk in darkness. Sin is left in the shadows as we let our light “shine before men” (Matthew 5:16). It is God’s plan for us to become more like Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:3). “Walking in the light” means we consider Jesus as “the light” in this world, and we “walk” in that light by following His precepts, living in His power, and growing in His grace.

LIVE IT OUT


1. Identify

a. Consider a challenge you face that has frozen you in your tracks.

b. You are afraid whatever decision you make might be wrong

c. Ask the Lord to show you light to take the step you need to take



2. Guide

a. Maybe you know someone facing a difficult decision.

b. This week offer to meet with him or her to discuss the issues and pray together about the decision



3. Study

a. With a concordance and study Bible, research how John uses the concept of light in his Gospel

b. Take notes on what you find, meditate on the concepts

Prayer of Commitment

O Light of the World, shine into my life to dispel the darkness and show me the way to live as one who has eternal life. Amen.



Hope to see you on Sunday!



In His Love,


David & Susan