The Light We Crave - John 8:12-20

John 8:12-20

©March 14, 2021 by Rev. Bruce Goettsche

I vaguely remember the very first time I came to La Harpe to meet with the Pastoral Search Committee. It was in November and I was staying at a hotel in Galesburg. It was dark when I left the hotel to meet with the committee. I had always lived in the city (Both Chicago and in a Detroit suburb.) College and Grad School were both right off the interstate. Consequently, I had never driven on roads that were as dark as they are out here.

There were no highways from here to Galesburg, it was all two-lane roads. By the time I reached route 9 I felt like I was driving into a black hole. Being unfamiliar with the road, I drove hoping I would not miss a turn in the darkness.

Darkness is disorienting. You don’t know where you are unless it is someplace you know well. Undoubtedly you have run into something in the middle of the night in a new place. This is why the image of light contrasted with darkness is such a good picture of the difference between those who are walking with Christ and those who are not.

Today we look at the second great “I Am” statement in the Gospel of John. Once again, I want to remind you that Jesus used a phrase that is unusual and is the same as that used for the name of God, “I Am who I Am.” It is likely no one missed this fact. By using these words Jesus was in essence claiming to be God.

We read in verse 12,

12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

Let’s stop and listen to what Jesus is saying here. Jesus always chose His words carefully. In this one sentence, there is great truth.

To get the full impact of what is said here we need to go back to the Feast of Tabernacles. Two weeks ago, Rick told you about a ceremony that involved pouring water into basins. It was during this ceremony Jesus likely said, “If anyone is thirsty they may come to me.” There was also a second ceremony. William Barclay describes it,

On the evening of its first day, there was a ceremony called the Illumination of the Temple. It took place in the Court of the Women. The court was surrounded with deep galleries, erected to hold the spectators. In the center, four great candelabra were prepared. When the dark came, the four great candelabra were lit and, it was said, they sent such a blaze of light throughout Jerusalem that every courtyard was lit up with their brilliance. Then all night long, until dawn the next morning, the greatest and the wisest and the holiest men in Israel danced before the Lord and sang psalms of joy and praise while the people watched. Jesus is saying: ‘You have seen the blaze of the Temple illuminations piercing the darkness of the night. I am the light of the world, and for anyone who follows me there will be light, not only for one exciting night, but for all the pathway of life. The light in the Temple is a brilliant light, but in the end it flickers and dies. I am the light which lasts forever.’[1]

Jesus said, If you follow me you “won’t HAVE TO walk in darkness.” Or, to put this another way, if you are not walking with Christ, you ARE walking in darkness.

This is just the opposite of what contemporary society thinks. The secular (unbelieving) world consider themselves to be enlightened and Christians are thought to be living in the “dark ages.” Jesus says it is the other way around. Those living in darkness are characterized by

· Selfish and often reckless behavior

· Redefinition of sin and discipleship

· Dismissing or attacking the authority of God’s Word

· Making Jesus just a good man and example

· General aimlessness

· Rampant materialism

· And an insatiable quest for power

We know from experience that walking in the darkness can lead to problems or injuries because you don’t see obstacles. Even in our own homes where you have a pretty good idea where everything is, you may still run into things. For example, if a chair was not pushed into the table, you will run into it because in your mind it is not supposed to be there. But it is.

Darkness disorients us. We can’t think straight. How many times have you imagined things from sounds in your house? And it isn’t just when you are a child. This is one of the hideous things about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. You can’t think clearly. Confusion is like standing in the darkness and you don’t know where to turn.

Jesus says those who do not follow Him are walking in darkness. They have no reference point. They live for the moment because that is all they can see. You cannot see what is ahead of you when you are in the dark. Consequently, you can’t see consequences and repercussions of your choices until they happen.

In John 1 we were told the light came into the darkness, but the darkness did not understand it. This explains some of the hostility faced by Christians in a society that walks in darkness. People don’t understand us. They dismiss the Biblical God and a supernatural understanding of anything. We who walk in the light are just the opposite. We believe in God, we embrace the absolute truth of His Word, and sense the supernatural at work in all things. Conflict between these two views is inevitable.

Jesus does not identify Himself as A light in the world . . . He identifies Himself as THE light of the world. It is Christ alone, through the agency of the Holy Spirit, who can open the eyes of those who do not, and cannot, see.

Jesus is the one who makes sense of life. Our text says, “he is the light that leads to life.” He is the one who defines right and wrong and good and evil. The Lord helps us to see and think clearly. Apart from him, life is nothing but a series of random occurrences. We live, we die, that’s it. Life has no ultimate purpose. Christ introduces us to the eternal dimension. He shows that this life is a prelude to another life, and we must live now in light of that reality.

Alistair Begg writes,

The point is very clear, If men and women are to know real life, they must come to the light. Into the darkness of their lives, Jesus comes with the truth. To the darkness of ignorance, He is their wisdom. The darkness of their impurity is to be flooded with the light of His holiness. The darkness of their grief and loss overtaken by the light of His joy. And the darkness of physical and spiritual death exchanged for the reality of eternal light and life.[2]

Have you ever been struggling with a project, or find it difficult to learn a subject? Or perhaps you were struggling to understand what someone is saying. Sometimes, when we get it, we say, “A light went on” or “it dawned on me.” All of a sudden, (it seems), things make sense. That’s what happens when a person turns to Jesus. The light turns on! Suddenly you see life differently. It starts to make sense. You read the Bible and parts of it start to come alive. This is the work of God’s Spirit given to us in Christ.

Did you hear the condition for how to turn on the lights: “If you follow me.” This is one of the places where the Church is not always clear. We tell people they need to ask the Lord into their life, or walk an aisle, or get baptized, but we fail to follow through with the key element: belief means we must follow Him. True faith is not just mental, it is also practical. We must recognize Jesus is who He said He is and at the same time determine to follow Him.

Following Him means to walk as He walked. It means living your life by the Word of God. It is not just learning the Word, it is living by it!

Dr. Boice asks us to imagine a hardened criminal going to court because of some heinous crime. There is an eyewitness to the crime which all but guarantees your conviction. You consider several options: 1) you can have the witness killed so they cannot testify. 2) You could work to discredit the witness by attacking them. 3) Or you could try to have the witness disqualified because of some technicality. This is what the opponents of Jesus have been trying to do in John 7-8.

After Jesus declared himself to be the light of the world we read, “13 The Pharisees replied, “You are making those claims about yourself! Such testimony is not valid.” In other words, “anyone can claim anything. Just because you say this is true, doesn’t make it true.” That sounds pretty sound.

14 Jesus told them, “These claims are valid even though I make them about myself. For I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don’t know this about me. 15 You judge me by human standards, but I do not judge anyone. 16 And if I did, my judgment would be correct in every respect because I am not alone. The Father who sent me is with me. 17 Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact. 18 I am one witness, and my Father who sent me is the other.”

19 “Where is your father?” they asked.

Jesus answered, “Since you don’t know who I am, you don’t know who my Father is. If you knew me, you would also know my Father.” 20 Jesus made these statements while he was teaching in the section of the Temple known as the Treasury. But he was not arrested, because his time had not yet come.

Jesus says, “The fact that I make this claim about myself doesn’t make it false either.” He says they rejected Him without really knowing anything about Him. What they thought they knew, was false.

It is true that anyone can say anything about anything. With the rise of the Internet, all kinds of things are said. Much, maybe even most of it, is false. We do have to be discerning; we should ask questions. In that sense these leaders are right to ask for more proof, but there is really some pretty compelling proof they should have known.

Jesus says His testimony is strengthened by that of God the Father. That sounds like a weak argument, like saying my imaginary friend also testifies on my behalf. But actually, this witness is very strong.

· The Father spoke at the baptism of Jesus and said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3.17)

· Jesus did miracles that could not be explained in any other way than an act of God. He healed lepers, made the blind see and the lame to walk, He gave hearing to the deaf, drove demons out of those who were possessed, and even raised the dead! He fed thousands with five loaves and two fish. He walked on water, calmed a storm, and turned water into wine. In John 3:2 Nicodemus, one of the religious leaders said, ““Rabbi, we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”

· The teaching of Jesus was profound, and everyone could see a wisdom in Him that was uncommon . . . even divine. They said He spoke as one with authority, not like the teachers of the Law.

There were plenty of witnesses to the truthfulness of the claims of Jesus. The problem was not a lack of evidence, it was the closed and hardened hearts of those who attacked Jesus.

The same is true today. Those who say “Jesus was just a man” have not truly listened to the evidence. They have drawn conclusions without objectively examining the facts. It is always good to ask people, “What evidence convinced you that Jesus was not who He claimed to be?” You will find that most people are only repeating what they have been told. No examination of the facts was involved. Of course, we have one more powerful piece of evidence: The Resurrection! The Bible contains eyewitness testimony of this resurrection.

However, all the evidence in the world cannot convince someone who is not open to the truth. People don’t like Jesus because they don’t want to submit to anyone. We want to do our own thing and run our own lives. What we are really saying is we like the darkness. We don’t want to walk into the light because it means we must depend on Him . . . even though He has demonstrated His overwhelming love for us.

So what are we to make of this passage? What is the takeaway from these reflections? First, we need to RUN TO THE LIGHT. He is the One who brings blessing from tragedy, meaning from confusing circumstances, and faith to see beyond the present. He is the One who alone can bring guidance to our lives. The Lord helps us understand the real purpose of living. Without Him, we will be people who live only for the moment and wander somewhat aimlessly through life.

If you feel this describes you; if you feel lost and aimless; I urge you to seek out the light of Christ. Go ahead and examine the evidence. Non one is asking you to go against reason! Study His life, listen to His Words, see the love that motivated all He did, including His journey to the cross. Consider the evidence for the resurrection. And as you do, you will begin to see the Light of Christ growly increasingly brighter. Jesus said if you will entrust yourself to Him you will no longer have to walk in darkness. The Lord will transform your life. He does not promise that life will be easy . . . but He does promise to work in EVERY circumstance for the good of “those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Second, we need to TEND TO THE LIGHT. A fire will go out if you do not stir it or add fuel to it. We keep the light burning bright in us by studying God’s Word, spending time in prayer, meeting with others for worship and study, reading the testimony of those who have gone before us, and sharing our faith with those around us. These things stir the embers of His blazing light.

Third, we should BASK IN THE LIGHT. I love the springtime. As we have seen this last week, the temperatures have warmed, and people are enjoying getting out once again. People are out walking, riding their bicycles, sitting outside to visit with each other. The light energizes us. Gloomy and dark times wear us down and lead us into times of gloom and lethargy. It is the time of year when we have more light and it is wonderful.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism (a training tool) asks, “What is the chief end of man?” The answer: “To glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” I love that answer. Our job is to enjoy God! Following Christ is not a drudgery, it is not a class we have to have to take (like some of the Gen Ed classes we had to take in school that we endured). Walking with Him and serving Him is the greatest privilege and delight of our lives. It is better than the most beautiful of vacations, or the trip of a lifetime. We have the honor of walking with the Creator of all there is! We should savor every minute.

Finally, we should SHARE THE LIGHT. Do you remember the story of Moses? He used to go meet with God in a tent and when He came out of his time with God, his face was so radiant he had to wear a covering until the reflected glory of God faded. It was so bright it was painful to those who looked at it. That is what will happen to us as we spend increasing time with Him.

Jesus speaking to His followers, said,

14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. (Mt. 5:14-16)

This isn’t about preaching sermons; it is about reflecting the light of Christ in the way we live. It is looking for the opportunities God brings into your life to testify of Him. Everywhere you go, in every circumstance you face, God will give you an opportunity to share His light with someone. It may be in a time of blessing or a time of heartache. Look for those opportunities! We have the great privilege to pass on the light of Christ. We can have a hand in helping people leave the darkness and walk into the light of His love. That should be exciting.

I close with this prayer from the Apostle Paul,

We pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. (Colossians 1:11-14)

[1] William Barclay, The Gospel of John, vol. 2, The New Daily Study Bible (Louisville, KY: Edinburgh, 2001), 12–13.

[2] Alistair Begg, What Angels Wish They Knew (Moody Press, 1992) p. 92John 8:12-20

©March 14, 2021 by Rev. Bruce Goettsche

I vaguely remember the very first time I came to La Harpe to meet with the Pastoral Search Committee. It was in November and I was staying at a hotel in Galesburg. It was dark when I left the hotel to meet with the committee. I had always lived in the city (Both Chicago and in a Detroit suburb.) College and Grad School were both right off the interstate. Consequently, I had never driven on roads that were as dark as they are out here.

There were no highways from here to Galesburg, it was all two-lane roads. By the time I reached route 9 I felt like I was driving into a black hole. Being unfamiliar with the road, I drove hoping I would not miss a turn in the darkness.

Darkness is disorienting. You don’t know where you are unless it is someplace you know well. Undoubtedly you have run into something in the middle of the night in a new place. This is why the image of light contrasted with darkness is such a good picture of the difference between those who are walking with Christ and those who are not.

Today we look at the second great “I Am” statement in the Gospel of John. Once again, I want to remind you that Jesus used a phrase that is unusual and is the same as that used for the name of God, “I Am who I Am.” It is likely no one missed this fact. By using these words Jesus was in essence claiming to be God.

We read in verse 12,

12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

Let’s stop and listen to what Jesus is saying here. Jesus always chose His words carefully. In this one sentence, there is great truth.

To get the full impact of what is said here we need to go back to the Feast of Tabernacles. Two weeks ago, Rick told you about a ceremony that involved pouring water into basins. It was during this ceremony Jesus likely said, “If anyone is thirsty they may come to me.” There was also a second ceremony. William Barclay describes it,

On the evening of its first day, there was a ceremony called the Illumination of the Temple. It took place in the Court of the Women. The court was surrounded with deep galleries, erected to hold the spectators. In the center, four great candelabra were prepared. When the dark came, the four great candelabra were lit and, it was said, they sent such a blaze of light throughout Jerusalem that every courtyard was lit up with their brilliance. Then all night long, until dawn the next morning, the greatest and the wisest and the holiest men in Israel danced before the Lord and sang psalms of joy and praise while the people watched. Jesus is saying: ‘You have seen the blaze of the Temple illuminations piercing the darkness of the night. I am the light of the world, and for anyone who follows me there will be light, not only for one exciting night, but for all the pathway of life. The light in the Temple is a brilliant light, but in the end it flickers and dies. I am the light which lasts forever.’[1]

Apart from Christ There is Only Darkness

Jesus said, If you follow me you “won’t HAVE TO walk in darkness.” Or, to put this another way, if you are not walking with Christ, you ARE walking in darkness.

This is just the opposite of what contemporary society thinks. The secular (unbelieving) world consider themselves to be enlightened and Christians are thought to be living in the “dark ages.” Jesus says it is the other way around. Those living in darkness are characterized by

· Selfish and often reckless behavior

· Redefinition of sin and discipleship

· Dismissing or attacking the authority of God’s Word

· Making Jesus just a good man and example

· General aimlessness

· Rampant materialism

· And an insatiable quest for power

We know from experience that walking in the darkness can lead to problems or injuries because you don’t see obstacles. Even in our own homes where you have a pretty good idea where everything is, you may still run into things. For example, if a chair was not pushed into the table, you will run into it because in your mind it is not supposed to be there. But it is.

Darkness disorients us. We can’t think straight. How many times have you imagined things from sounds in your house? And it isn’t just when you are a child. This is one of the hideous things about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. You can’t think clearly. Confusion is like standing in the darkness and you don’t know where to turn.

Jesus says those who do not follow Him are walking in darkness. They have no reference point. They live for the moment because that is all they can see. You cannot see what is ahead of you when you are in the dark. Consequently, you can’t see consequences and repercussions of your choices until they happen.

In John 1 we were told the light came into the darkness, but the darkness did not understand it. This explains some of the hostility faced by Christians in a society that walks in darkness. People don’t understand us. They dismiss the Biblical God and a supernatural understanding of anything. We who walk in the light are just the opposite. We believe in God, we embrace the absolute truth of His Word, and sense the supernatural at work in all things. Conflict between these two views is inevitable.

JESUS IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Jesus does not identify Himself as A light in the world . . . He identifies Himself as THE light of the world. It is Christ alone, through the agency of the Holy Spirit, who can open the eyes of those who do not, and cannot, see.

Jesus is the one who makes sense of life. Our text says, “he is the light that leads to life.” He is the one who defines right and wrong and good and evil. The Lord helps us to see and think clearly. Apart from him, life is nothing but a series of random occurrences. We live, we die, that’s it. Life has no ultimate purpose. Christ introduces us to the eternal dimension. He shows that this life is a prelude to another life, and we must live now in light of that reality.

Alistair Begg writes,

The point is very clear, If men and women are to know real life, they must come to the light. Into the darkness of their lives, Jesus comes with the truth. To the darkness of ignorance, He is their wisdom. The darkness of their impurity is to be flooded with the light of His holiness. The darkness of their grief and loss overtaken by the light of His joy. And the darkness of physical and spiritual death exchanged for the reality of eternal light and life.[2]

Have you ever been struggling with a project, or find it difficult to learn a subject? Or perhaps you were struggling to understand what someone is saying. Sometimes, when we get it, we say, “A light went on” or “it dawned on me.” All of a sudden, (it seems), things make sense. That’s what happens when a person turns to Jesus. The light turns on! Suddenly you see life differently. It starts to make sense. You read the Bible and parts of it start to come alive. This is the work of God’s Spirit given to us in Christ.

HOW TO TURN ON THE LIGHT

Did you hear the condition for how to turn on the lights: “If you follow me.” This is one of the places where the Church is not always clear. We tell people they need to ask the Lord into their life, or walk an aisle, or get baptized, but we fail to follow through with the key element: belief means we must follow Him. True faith is not just mental, it is also practical. We must recognize Jesus is who He said He is and at the same time determine to follow Him.

Following Him means to walk as He walked. It means living your life by the Word of God. It is not just learning the Word, it is living by it!

RESPONDING TO THE LIGHT