Question
Study Questions
JESUS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
John 8:12-30 Lesson #21
Key Verse: 12
1. What was the event recorded in verses 1-11? Where did this conversation take place? Between whom is the dialogue?
2. What do the Jews not know? (14, 19, 22,24,25,27) What is the difference between Jesus and the Jews in the matter of judgement? (15,16) Why is Jesus qualified to judge? Does he judge? Why or why not? (26) Do the Jews judge? Whom do they judge? Are they qualified? Why or why not?
3. What claims does Jesus make about himself? (12, 16, 23, 24, 26-27, 28, 29) Note the contrast between light and darkness. What do you think is the nature of the darkness? Why are the Jews (Pharisees) so ignorant? What is the nature of their sin? Of their ignorance?
4. What is the significance of Jesus’ saying, “I am he” (24,28–footnote) How can one know the Father? (19) Why do Jesus’ words have authority? (14, 28, 29)
5. What does he mean when he says, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man?” How can one know the Son? (28, 12)
6. How do we follow Jesus and have the light of life?
Manuscript
Message
JESUS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
John 8:12-30 Lesson #21
Key Verse: 8:12
The Jews had dragged a woman caught in adultery to Jesus. They wanted to use her to trap Jesus into making a statement that would incriminate him. Instead, Jesus, the light of the world, exposed their sins. Then he forgave the woman and set her free. Jesus’ teachings in the rest of this chapter are directed toward the Jews. He invites them, the woman and us to leave darkness of sin and ignorance, follow him and receive the light of life. The darkness of the Jews is the darkness of spiritual ignorance. Spiritual ignorance is sin. Sin also leads to spiritual ignorance and darkness. The Jews were jealous of Jesus. They saw him and everyone else from a human, physical point of view. They lived life on a physical level because they did not know God. They therefore judged everyone from a human point of view. Because they did not know God, they were ignorant of spiritual things. God is Spirit. Those who worship him must worship him in Spirit and in truth. Although these Jewish leaders were very religious, they were legalistic. Men who have no inner walk with God, no inner spiritual life must put external controls of law on themselves and on society. Such men seem to be strong because they live by strong will power. They have no sympathy for the weak. Rather, they despise and use the weaknesses of others for their own purposes. Men with strong human will power are quick to judge weaker men.
Jesus warns these men and us. Unless we believe and know and obey God who sent Jesus we will die in sin (24). How can we have our spiritual eyes opened to see Jesus? Spiritual ignorance comes from sin. When we receive the word of Jesus in our hearts, the word of scripture which testifies to Jesus, our sins are exposed (9,18,19). We must believe that Jesus is sent from God–that he is YHWH, the I AM, the LORD who forgives our sins and whom we must obey and glorify. We must look at Jesus on the cross, God the Son, dying for our sins (28). Jesus said, “The one who sent me has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” We must follow after Jesus in seeking to always do what pleases God. Then we leave the darkness to walk in the light of life.