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Sunday School Lesson
The contrast between "light" and "darkness" is well known, and is easily determined to individual satisfaction. However, when one is asked "What is light?," the answer can be somewhat difficult to find. One of the "working definitions" or "practical definitions" of this word is "the essential condition for vision." This word - light - is used in the definition of "darkness." This second term is understood to be "the absence of light." Jesus Christ was in the temple courtyard when he addressed the fact of "spiritual light." John 8:2. Obviously, the religious leaders, who had dragged in "a woman taken in adultery" (John 8:3), were familiar with the Old Testament teachings. These men knew the symbolic language that had been used by the prophets. They knew the Messianic prophesy written by Isaiah - "The people that walked (to go forth; to behave) in darkness (can, also, refer to misery, adversity, ignorance) have seen a great light (luminary [see Malachi 4:2]): they that dwell in (to inhabit; abide in) the land (country) of the shadow of death (the darkness of death; can refer to the grave), upon them hath the light shined." Isaiah 9:2. Those who should have been "spiritually enlightened" did not realize that they were in the presence of the one who was the fulfillment of that prophecy. The master, himself, declared, "I am the light of the world (order; system)..." John 8:12a. These self-righteous hearers did not understand their need for any kind of "illumination." Their selfdeception did not allow them to recognize the "darkness" that was the fact in their own lives. Matthew 6:23b. The savior of the world continued - "he that followeth (go the same way) me shall not (in no way) walk (the whole round of activities of life) in darkness (the absence of light), but (in contrast) shall have (possess) the light of life (life on the highest plane)." John 8:12b. These leaders "missed the point" of this declaration. They turned their thoughts to their own "agenda." These men were determined to find some "lack of credibility" in the words of the son of God. "The Pharisees therefore said unto him, thou bearest record (witness) of (concerning) thyself; thy record (witness) is not (absolute negative) true (that which conforms to reality)." John 8:13. The master knew the motives of these men. John 2:24, 25. Thus he addressed the accusation in a direct way. "Jesus answered and said unto them, though (even if) I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for (because) I know whence (from which) I came (indicates the act), and whither (what [locality]) I go; but ye cannot tell (know) whence I come, and whither I go." John 8:14. Jesus, the son of God, continued his answer to these critics - "Ye judge (determine; separate; choose) after (according to) the flesh (can refer to the 'lower nature'); I judge no man (one)." John 8:15. He assured these men, "And yet if I judge, my judgment (process of investigation; judicial authority) is true: for I am not alone (a solitary voice), but I and the father that sent me." John 8:16; 3:18, 19. This one, who came to redeem lost mankind, drew on the specific knowledge of these self-righteous ones - "It is also written in your law, that the testimony (witness) of two men (humans) is true. I am one that bears witness of myself, and the father that sent (to dispatch) me beareth witness of (concerning) me." John 8:17, 18. These critics assumed a level of knowledge that they did not possess. There was a kind of vague recognition of his life in Nazareth, and the whole area of Galilee. This "background" did not give this "upstart from nowhere" the "right" to speak of the father in divine terms. "Then said they unto him, where is thy father?" John 8:19a. The answer to this inquiry was not that which was expected. "Jesus answered, Ye neither know (suggests 'full knowledge') me, nor my father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my father also." John 8:19b, c. John, then, gave the location of this encounter. "These words (the actual words spoken, in contrast to 'expression of thought') spake Jesus in the treasury (Note: the area of the temple known as the 'court of women' near the room where gold and silver bullion was kept), as he taught in the temple (sacred place)..." John 8:20a. There was a "price on the head" of Jesus, since these leaders had sent the temple guard to bring him to them. John 7:45. The disciple whom Jesus loved (John 13:23) recorded that "no man (one) laid hands on (apprehend; to seize) him; for (because that) his hour (season; time) was not yet (not even) come." John 8:20b. Opposition to his ministry did not change the mission of the son of God. After this confrontation in the "treasury", the ministry of Jesus did not stop, even if this act would have pleased these leaders. He continued to teach, and miracles were performed. Yet, he never lost focus on "why" he came into the world. The teachings of our master were accepted by many of his hearers - "Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him..." John 12:42a. John wrote of these leaders, "but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest (in order that not) they should be put out of the synagogue (expelled from the congregation; excommunicated): For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." John 12:42b, 43. Later, John named one of these individuals - "...Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly (hidden), for fear of the Jews (Jewish leaders)..." John 19:38a. These presence of "secret disciples" did not silence the voice of the son of God, nor did the fact dampen the teaching. "Jesus cried (to call out) and said, he that believeth (to place complete trust) on (the point reached) me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me ( the heavenly father). And he that seeth (one who looks on a thing with interest and purpose) me seeth him that sent me." John 12:44, 45. The savior returned to the need for spiritual light. "I am come (to arrive in due course [Galatians 4:4, 5]) a light into the world, that whosoever (every one who) believeth (to place complete trust and confidence) on (in) me should not abide (to remain) in darkness (can refer to spiritual and moral darkness)." John 12:46.
Each person must choose whether to live in "light" or in "darkness." To choose the "light," all that is needed is to accept Jesus Christ as his or her personal savior. You can know, today, whether your sins are forgiven. 1 John 1:9. Why not claim this promise right now?
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