Ignorance Is Not Bliss

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Opening Prayer

Holy Spirit of God, I release You now in my life. Illuminate the Word to my understanding.

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.

Meditate

“Discovering our direction, discerning the Lord’s will, and making our decisions all begin with living and walking in his light” (Lloyd John Ogilvie).

Think Further

Verse 12 continues the teaching of Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles and the “again” relates back to the words of Jesus in 7:37-39. So the discussion in chapter 8 remains set in the context of that festival and it is against the backdrop of its light ceremony that Jesus makes his second “I am” claim (cf. John 6:35).

Light is a potent symbol in the Hebrew Scriptures (e.g. Exod. 13:21,22; Psa. 27:1; Isa. 49:6). Of particular importance here is the passage in Zechariah that describes the constant light of “that day,” followed by the promise of living waters flowing out of Jerusalem (Zech. 14:5b-8); both passages thought to be part of the liturgy of the Feast. Jesus speaks “again,” and proclaims that he is the world’s true light that will never be extinguished, unlike the lights of the Feast of Tabernacles. The Pharisees cannot handle this. They challenge Jesus’ right to testify about himself, but Jesus is able to offer the two witnesses demanded by the Law (Deut. 19:15). The problem comes back to the discussion in chapter 7 as to Jesus’ origins (19). They are in ignorance not only because they are unable to judge truly, unlike Jesus, but also because they are ignorant of the Father and are unable to recognize that Jesus has come from God.

Here is our challenge. The Pharisees professed to know God but were, in fact, strangers to him and were unable to recognize Jesus. We have to give ourselves a regular spiritual health check. We claim to know God. Do we recognize him at work, even when it challenges our preconceptions? None of us, I am certain, would want to hear Jesus say, “You do not know me or my Father” (19).

Apply

Do you need to give yourself a spiritual health check? Allow God’s light to shine into any dark corners.

Closing prayer

Lord Jesus, You are the light of the world. Lighten up my life where there is darkness. Sometimes uncertainty, anxiety, and despair overtake me. Give me Your light of hope.

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