Believe in Jesus Sunday School Lesson

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Believe in Jesus Sunday School Lesson

Introduction

A. The Power of a Match

Kentucky's Mammoth Cave is one of thelargest complexes of underground passages inthe world. Many of the cave's farthest recesseshave yet to be explored, but the largest knownentrance is home to a national park. On one ofthe guided tours, rangers lead guests to a caverndeep below the surface and ask them to remainsilent while they turn off the lights.

The resulting darkness is overwhelming. It isimpossible to see anything at any distance. The ranger then illustrates the power of light by strik-ing a single match. I have been on this tour sev-eral times, and on each occasion I find that it isimpossible to look away front this tiny spark oflight. Human beings were not made to live inutter darkness. We readily grasp for anything tolight our way.

Darkness is a powerful figure of speech. Atleast part of the reason is because we fear theClark and what may be lurking there. The Bibleoften uses the imagery of darkness to describethe spiritual state of those whose lives are notdirected by God. A few such passages are Acts26:18; Colossians 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:4, 5;and 1 John 2:11. In today's lesson Jesus dis-cusses His role as the light of the world.

In that role, He is the one who brings hope byrevealing God to us. "In him was life; and thelife was the light of men" (John 1:4). "This thenis the message which we have heard of him, anddeclare unto you, that God is light, and in him isno darkness at all" (1 John 1:5).

B. Lesson Background

John 8 seems to follow directly on Jesus'teaching at the Feast of Tabernacles. There Hepromised the gift of "living water" (the Spirit) tothose who believe in Him (last week's lesson).Up to that point the crowds were divided onHis message. Some had concluded that Jesus wasthe "Prophet" (Deuteronomy 18:15-18; John7:40). Others thought Him to be the Messiah orChrist (John 7:41). The chief priests sent the tem-ple guards to arrest Him, but they returnedempty-handed after being overwhelmed by Hisauthoritative teaching (John 7:45, 46).

Some of the leading Pharisees, includingNicodemus (compare John 3:1-10), debatedamong themselves about Jesus' identity (7:50-52). Jesus then explicitly identified himself asthe one sent to reveal God in the midst of a darkworld.

I. Light of the World(John 8:12)

A. Jesus' Identity (v. 12a)

12a. Then spake Jesus again unto them, say-ing, I am the light of the world.

Jesus' illustration Isere, one of John's great Iam sayings, is likely drawn from the celebrationsduring the Feast of Tabernacles. During this feastfour huge lamps are lit in the temple courts. Peo-ple then dance through the night wills burningtorches, singing songs of praise, accompanied bythe music of the temple orchestra.

The glow from these festivities can be seen allover the city of Jerusalem. It is against this back-drop that Jesus proclaims himself to be the truelight of the world.

B. Our Response (v. 12b)

12b. He that followeth me shall not walk indarkness, but shall have the light of life.

Jesus' claims probably reflect two aspects ofHis ministry. First, He brings light by revealingGod and His nature in a fallen world. This reve-lation is vastly superior to the Old Testament,ystem, for Jesus comes as the unique Son of1;od rather than as a mere prophet or priest. He:bus shows people the way to eternal lifethrough faith in Hint. "The Lord shall be untothee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory"`Isaiah 60:19).

Second, Jesus' teaching and example providecoral guidance, showing believers how to live inway that pleases God. Ancient Israelites shouldDe very familiar with such imagery. They un-lioubtedly know Isaiah 42:16: "I will make dark-cess light before them, and crooked thingsKraight. These things will I do unto them, andout forsake them."

FOLLOW THE LIGHT

When the children of Israel left Egypt, theywere led by God in a pillar of cloud by day and apillar of fire by night to give them light (Exodus13:21). The cloud and the fire were important,for they were the evidence of God's leading.Equally important, however, was the fact thatthe people had to follow. They could have stayedin one place and enjoyed the phenomenon of thecloud and fire. No one had ever seen such athing before. Perhaps they could have built a viewing stand and sold tickets. They could haveadvertised far and wide for people to come seethis strange event--a pillar that changed fromcloud by day into a fire by night! What a mar-velous thing it would be!

All that would have been pointless, of course.The pillar was not there to fascinate them or be-come another one of the seven wonders of theancient world. The purpose of the pillar was tolead them out of Egypt into the promised land.But by the same token, the pillar was not a magiccarpet. It would not instantly transport themfrom Egypt into Canaan. In order to get fromEgypt to Canaan, they would have to travel—onfoot, every step of the way.

All that should he obvious. The pillar wouldlead them; but they most follow. Jesus is thelight of the world. But we too must follow whereHe leads II. Testimony of the Father(John 8:13-20)

A. Pharisees Challenge Jesus (v. 13)

13. The Pharisees therefore said unto him,Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is nottrue.

Not true means that Jesus has not, in the opin-ion of the Pharisees, sufficiently substantiatedHis claims about himself. Rabbinic law assumesthat such testimony will be biased. The Law ofMoses requires that testimony and truth claimsin criminal proceedings can be accepted only onthe testimony of multiple witnesses (Deuteron-omy 19:15). The Pharisees therefore plead thatthey, and everyone else, are allowed to dismissJesus' claims about himself. (See question # I.paps I,)2. I

B. Jesus Refutes Pharisees (vv. 14-18)

14. Jesus answered and said unto them,Though I bear record of myself, yet my record istrue: for 1 know whence I came, and whither Igo; but ye cannot tell whence I come, andwhither I go.

Jesus begins His defense by arguing that Hiscase is unique, simply because no other humanbeing is in a position to testify on His behalf.This verse looks ahead to John 13:3. That pas-sage specifies that Jesus had come from God andwas in the process of returning to God throughdeath and resurrection.

Obviously, no one has ever seen God (John1:18). It would therefore be impossible for any-one to verify or challenge Jesus' claims in thesense of being "witness" to His preexistence. For thetestimony of John the Baptist (John 5:31-36).This is so despite the fact that John was a proph-et who pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God (John1:29-36).

Instead it is Jesus' unique origin and destinythat establish His credibility. His origin (whenceI came) is from the Father (John 5:36, 37; 16:28);His destiny (whither I go) is to go back to theFather (John 13:1; 16:28; 17:5). Those hostile toJesus know nothing about either. They are spiri-tually blind.

15, 16. Ye judge after the flesh; I judge noman. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true:for I am not alone, but I and the Father thatsent me.

In Jesus' view, the Pharisees' objections simplyreveal that they are unable to perceive spiritualmatters. Instead they are stuck in judging afterthe flesh. When the Pharisees look at Jesus, theysee a man from Galilee who has remarkable abili-ties but unorthodox teaching. He doesn't fit theirunderstanding of a prophet or the Christ. Theyare therefore unable to recognize the source ofHis power (John 7:52; 9:29). [See question #2.'Lige 192.1

As a result Jesus disqualifies the Phariseesfrom passing judgment on Him. He appeals in-stead to God as the ultimate witness to His iden-tity. Jesus judges no man in the way that thePharisees do.

17, 18. It is also written in your law, that thetestimony of two men is true. I am one that bearwitness of myself, and the Father that sent mebeareth witness of me.

Jesus reminds His accusers that Moses hadtaught that two witnesses are sufficient to estab-lish guilt or innocence (Deuteronomy 17:6;19:15). On the topic of His identity, Jesus has tes-tified on His own behalf, and He now calls theFather to the stand in His defense. The Father'switness (or testimony) here most likely refers tothe works that Jesus does by God's power (John5:36). The Gospels use Jesus' miracles as signs ofHis identity; the signs establish His credibility(John 2:11; etc.).

In the "purpose statement" of this Gospel(John 20:30, 31), the apostle makes clear the rea-son for the signs. When people watch Jesus turnwater into wine or raise Lazarus from the dead,they should see the evidence for His claimsabout himself.

BEARING WITNESS

Several times I have been a witness in courtcases. Once was for a traffic accident that I saw. I

was asked to describe what I had seen, and itwas used as evidence in the case. Another time Iappeared on behalf of one of the parties to a suitbecause of my academic studies in a particulararea. I was asked to give my assessment of theissue because I was considered an "expert" in thefield. (I enjoyed that label, but my wife was notparticularly impressed.)

A witness is a person who gives testimony incourt proceedings. I appeared either because Ihad personally seen the incident or because Ihad special experience wills the nuances of thesituation. The task of witnesses is to relate to thejudge and/or jury the facts that they know. Thejudge and jurors were not present at the incident,and they need to know exactly what happened.Or there may be some technical depth to thecase, wills the judge and jury needing an impar-tial, objective "expert" to interpret the situationand give an opinion on it.

Jesus relates that He can be a witness to him-self, and even God the Father can be a witnesson His behalf. The Pharisees of verse 13 werenot willing to accept His testimony, not knowingthat He did indeed have first-person experienceof the situation. Jesus knew souse technicalitiesof the situation that they slid not. He was ass ex-cellent expert witness, even though they failedto recognize that fact. Do we recognize it?

C. Know Me, Know My Father (vv. 19, 20)19. Then said they unto him, Where is thyFather? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me,nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye shouldhave known my Father also.

The Gospel of John often follows the "theme ofmisunderstanding": frequently, no one, sal eventhe disciples, can figure out what Jesus is talkingabout. No matter how obvious His remarks seemto be (to us!), usually people "just don't get it."If John is following this theme Isere, then thePharisees have missed the point of Jesus' re-marks entirely. Thus they ask Hins where theycan find His fattier, meaning Joseph, so that theymay question Ishii about Jesus (compare John6:42). They are still thinking "after Use flesh"(John 8:15, above).

Jesus' answer implies what the reader alreadyknows to be true: the Father of whom Jesusspeaks is God, not Joseph. The fact that thePharisees either cannot understand or will notaccept Jesus does not discount His role as thelight of the world. People may choose to closetheir eyes, but their decision to do so does notsay anything about Jesus. It reveals, rather, that they do not know the God whom Jesus came toreveal more fully.

20. These words spake Jesus in the treasury,as he taught in the temple: and no man laidhands on him; for his hour was not yet come.

The implication of no man laid hands on him;for His hour was not yet come is that hostility isbuilding but has not yet reached the boilingpoint. Jesus' hour in the Gospel of John refers tothe time of His arrest and crucifixion. That iswhen He fulfills His task of dying on the cross(John 7:30; 12:23, 27; 17:1).

Jesus has complete control over His destiny(John 10:15-18). Jesus' enemies can do no harmbecause He still has much more to do.

III. Escape from Darkness(John 12:44-46)

A. God's Special Agent (vv. 44, 45)44, 45. Jesus cried and said, He that believethon me, believeth not on me, but on him that sentme. And he that seeth me seeth him that sentme.

John 12:37-50 is sometimes referred to as a-saddle" or "bridge" in the outline of this Gospel.The reason for this designation is because it ishere that John summarizes Jesus' public ministrybefore moving on to the private teachings to thedisciples in the upper room (chapters 13-17).sec (pieslimi #4. pd, 1,1 In John 12:35, 36,Jesus urges the Jews one last time to believe inthe light. This exhortation leads John to expressdisbelief at the Jews' inability to understand whoJesus really is (John 12:37-43).

As a closing refrain to His public teachingministry, Jesus warns the Jews once again. Hiswarning is that it is impossible to believe in God(him that sent me) while rejecting the Son.There are many different religious systems thatclaim to reveal God in a variety of ways, yetJohn insists that none of these, not even Ju-daism, can really lead us to a true vision ofGod's love and power. God's true nature is per-fectly revealed in Jesus alone, making it essen-tial that people accept Him.

HE WHO SENT ME

Major General George G. Meade was com-manding officer, Army of the Potomac, as it facedthe Confederate army under Robert E. Lee atGettysburg. On Meade's staff was Brigadier Gen-eral Gouverneur K. Warren, Chief of Engineers.Acting on his authority as chief engineeringofficer, Warren was scouting the front lines on

the afternoon of July 2, 1863. He came to thesouthern end of the Union line on a rocky hillcalled Little Round Top, where he saw that itwas undefended. He also saw a large segment ofthe Confederate army moving toward the samehill. He knew that if the Confederates seized theheight they could roll up the entire Union line,bringing disaster to the entire army.

Warren sent couriers down the hill and theysoon met the brigade of Colonel Strong Vincent.Warren ordered him to go up, defend the hill,and prepare to repel the Confederates. Vincentinstantly obeyed, and the defense of Little RoundTop became famous. Yet it was a near thing. TheUnion forces beat the Confederates to the top byonly fifteen minutes.

What if Vincent had argued with Warren? Hecould have said, "You are not my immediatecommanding officer; why should I obey you?"Vincent knew that Warren represented the au-thority of General Meade, and that was sufficientfor him. Jesus said that if we believe Him, we arereally acknowledging the authority of God. Torefuse to accept the words of Jesus is to refusethat authority.

B. Leaving the Darkness (v. 46)

46. I am come a light into the world, thatwhosoever believeth on me should not abide indarkness.

The world is spiritually dark in two senses.First, most people do not adequately understandthe nature of God himself. As a consequencethey do not really understand who they are aspeople created in God's image. Of course, theJews of Jesus' day claim that they are God's elect people, blessed with a special revelation of Histrue nature. Even they, however, are walking indarkness because only through faith in Christcan they truly know God's nature (compare John 12:35, 36).

Second, the world is dark in the sense thatpeople do not live lives that please God. Insteadthey stumble blindly in pursuit of worldly plea-sures that ultimately leave them longing for ful-fillment (compare Romans 1:18-32). Like a thirstyman who is given saltwater instead of refreshingwater, this pursuit only increases the thirst. Jesuscame to rescue us from this ignorance and de-spair—for eternity.

Conclusion

A. Piercing the Deepest Darkness

The image of Jesus as light is a powerfultheme in the Gospel of John. Physical light hassome marvelous characteristics that allow thisimage to function beautifully as a description ofChrist. Consider this example: you can go into anutterly dark room and light a tiny birthday can-dle, and all the darkness of that room cannotstop the little light from shining. The smallestcandle can dispel the deepest, blackest darkness.On the other hand, you cannot go into abrightly lighted roots with a box of darkness,open the box, and expect the darkness to dim thebrightness. Darkness cannot overcome light(John 1:5). This is the case because darkness is,by definition, the absence of something—the ab-sence of light.

When we speak figuratively of the dark worldin which we live, we are highlighting the factthat the world is missing or ignoring God. Just as light always overcomes darkness, God's purposeswill always overcome evil in this world. Ofcourse, some people choose to close their eyes.But those who open their eyes will find a waythrough the darkness to eternal life and peace.

B. Avoiding Counterfeit Light

The issue of "light vs. darkness" is well de-fined. Spiritually stature Christians clearly rec-ognize the choice. But another issue we face iswhat we may call "true light vs. counterfeitlight." We face this problem since "Satan himselfis transformed into an angel of light" (2 Corinthi-ans 11:14).

Many sincere Christians are determined toavoid the darkness of sin, and Satan knows thiswell. So instead of offering those Christianssomething that is obviously in the category ofdark, he offers something that seems, at firstglance, to fit within God's light.

This deception can take many forms, andSatan is very crafty. For example a harmlesshobby that provides needed rest and relaxationcan become an obsession and an addiction,wrecking the family budget. Eating that extrapiece of pie at the restaurant buffet can be ratio-nalized as "good stewardship" since "I'In gettingmy money's worth." Remember, when Satan of-fered certain temptations to Jesus, he evenbacked up his ideas with Scripture! (See Mat-thew 4:1-11.)

So how do we recognize and avoid counterfeitlight? The first line of defense is to know theScriptures thoroughly. Jesus is our example here,since that was how He refuted Satan during thetemptation in the wilderness. "Thy word is alamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path"(Psalm 119:105).

The second line of defense is prayer. Jesus sawthis as an important part of avoiding temptation(Mark 14:38). A third line of defense is mutualaccountability. Invite a fellow Christian to pointout your spiritual blind spots. Then consider hisor her counsel very carefully!

C. Prayer

Lord, we live in a dark and confused world.Sometimes it is hard even to know what weshould do, much less to do it. Please light ourway as we seek to serve You, and please alsohelp us shine the light of Christ on others. InJesus' name, amen.

D. Thought to Remember

The light of Jesus can—and does—pierce thedeepest spiritual darkness.

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