Who is Jesus: The light of the world
- Just as light dispels darkness, truth overcomes ignorance, lies and sin (rather than just condemning them).
- ‘Light’ here is a metaphor for truth and its power to give life to the whole world.
- The truth is invincible as darkness must yield wherever the light shines (cf 2Cor 10:4-5).
- Paradoxically, the light of Christ that overcomes all darkness is revealed in his crucifixion (v28)
Introduction: Since some ancient manuscripts lack vv1-12, speculations exist about a late addition. Do you think such doubt is warranted? To decide, consider the content and whether the context and structure of John’s gospel demand that this story was there from the beginning.*
- What was his view about the validity of those laws? cf Mt 5:17 =>
- Did he only fulfill the so-called ‘ceremonial’ law, or did he mean the ten commandments? Hint: Has the context anything to do with any ceremonies?
- How did the accusers of the adulteress break that same (moral) law as well?
- 8:4 adultery
- 8:5 Their motives
- 8:15 Wrong judgment by human standards
- 8:40 Rejection of truth
- 8:37.40.44: Filled with hatred; determined to kill
- 8:48 Blasphemy
- 8:59 Attempt of murder
- vv7-8: According to Jesus, who is condemned by the law, the adulteress and/or the theologians? Jer 17:13; see also Jn 7:19
- Where and how is such darkness exposed in this chapter?
- On the other hand, what did Jesus mean when he called himself the light of the world? [vv34.40.45.46.51.58: six times, he insisted that he is telling the truth] =>
- Does that mean the church is supposed to overcome sin by nothing but the truth?
- In your own experience, how can truth ‘overcome’ anything?
- Is truth the same everywhere, or does Jesus give everyone ‘their own truth’ according to their cultural needs? Can we know what John was thinking about that?
- Why does our culture consider it narrow and intolerant when Christians insist on any truth claims in general, and on biblical dogmas in particular?
- v37. No room in our hearts for God’s word: What does that mean? And why is that?
- v39. How did they twist religion so that they would not depend on Jesus? How does this still happen today?
- vv38, 41, 44. In what sense did they belong to the devil, and what did Jesus take as proof of it?
- What does every biological father do?
- Why does procreation carry the meaning of authorship and ownership?
- Is it within our own control to determine who our father would be?
- So what was the root problem: That the Pharisees were as immoral in their heart as the adulteress? Or that they were unable to believe the truth about themselves, v45?
- v24: How did Jesus define mortal sin, and why is it deadly?
- What made it difficult for the Pharisees (and for anyone after them) to agree with the diagnosis of their condition, and with the remedy offered by Jesus? =>
Explain: After vv1-12 illustrated our need for salvation from sin by faith in Jesus, the book now takes a sharp turn to explain from here on how such a salvation became possible and what it costs:
- Why did Jesus compare sin to a slave master, v12-24?
- Where does Jesus direct those who seek freedom from this slavery, v24-36?
- What do they need to believe about Jesus, and why, v24? =>
- What do they need from the true God who personifies truth, v26?
- Why such emphasis on truth, rather than on any other ‘therapy’?
- v28: What did Jesus mean by being ‘lifted up’? cf Jn 12:32-34 =>
- How could the act of crucifying Jesus ever promote true knowledge of Him as the incarnate God?***
- v31: What does it mean to ‘abide in His word’ (lit. stay in it)? How do you do that, and to what end?
- Apparently, believers are not zapped instantly by truth into freedom from all manifestations of sin. Why not?
- Why does growth in the knowledge of truth require that we ‘abide’ in his word?
- v37: How should we not treat his word? =>
- Read Jn 5:39-40. Was the problem of the Scribes that they had ‘too much Bible truth’ or too little? Why?
- How can one read the Bible and at the same time not hear what it actually says?
- Why is it impossible to know the real Jesus as your savior without actually hearing him?
- What does it mean to ‘hear His voice’?
- How are people fooled by claims that a liberating knowledge of Christ can be found other than by hearing, understanding and submitting to his words in the Bible?
- What is your past and present experience of the power of truth?
- Have you seen truth determine the outcome of your own struggles with sin? Where? How?
- Given the example of Jesus, is it necessary to argue about what is true to win us and others for Jesus? Why or why not?
- What limits your witness for Christ: Ignorance of the truth, or doubts about it, or unwillingness to submit to it?
- Pray that we take truth more seriously, and not to just win debates, but hearts
* If vv1-12 would not have been there in the original manuscript, this central point of the entire chapter would be lacking its powerful illustration. Since every other chapter begins with a story to illustrate the subsequent main doctrine, omitting one only here in chapter 8 would have been not only highly irregular and untypical of its author, but also inconsistent with the structure of his book.
** Jn 8 addresses man’s hostility towards God, and its disguise by religiosity; he is God himself who came from above to be “lifted up” on the cross, v28, and thus fulfill the law on our behalf in perfect submission to his Father’s will.
*** Only the cross reveals the whole truth about our enmity against God, as well as about His love and how he overcomes our evil hatred with good.]
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