Needed: Two Eyewitnesses
Opening Prayer
Father, as I read today’s passage, please help me to understand more about Jesus’ identity.
Read John 8:12–20
12 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 will have the light of life.”
13 The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.”
14 Jesus 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. 15 You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. 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.” 20 He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How do you know who Jesus is? Who do others say he is?Jesus begins with a clear statement of identity (12—the second “I am” saying). When he said this he was in the Temple courts during the Feast of Tabernacles. During that festival the Temple would be flooded with light from huge burning torches, shining visibly throughout Jerusalem. His statement is full of echoes of the Old Testament. Look up Exodus 13:21–22, Psalm 27:1 and Psalm 119:105.
In claiming to be the Light of the World, Jesus was claiming to be equal to God. This provoked a reaction from the Pharisees: he was his own witness, so his testimony wasn’t valid.
Look at how Jesus counters their accusation (14). What does this say about his sense of his own identity? Jesus states in verse 19 that their whole argument hinges on their failure to have a real relationship with God. To understand who Jesus is and who his Father is we have to know them both. If we don’t, we merely judge by human standards (15). On the other hand, Jesus says, his judgments are true (16–18). Why is that?
Apply
Have you allowed Jesus to be your light, or do you look to other sources for answers? Humble yourself before God today.
Closing prayer
Give thanks for the difference that Jesus’ light makes in your life. Pray for family or friends who don’t know Jesus.
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