Wednesday 18th October
Read John 8:12-18
“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.’” (NIVUK)
I often get confused with the word games Jesus uses in His debates with the Jewish leaders. When you place them side-by-side with other statements, on the surface they look contradictory. For example, we have worked through Jesus initially claims about judgment already, “‘If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who testifies in my favour, and I know that his testimony about me is true. 33 ‘You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. 34 Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. 35 John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light. 36 ‘I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish – the very works that I am doing – testify that the Father has sent me.” (John 5:31-36) (NIVUK). The Pharisees have thrown some of Jesus’ words back at Him (John 8:13 vs John 5:31), arguing that He is condemned by His own standards. There He doesn’t appeal to the Father as His witness alone, but also to His works.
Even there though, Jesus observes that John the Baptist, a lesser light, testified that Jesus was the true light… “There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.” (John 1:6-9) (NIVUK). Here though, as the tension escalates, Jesus makes plain that His testimony is valid because of His origin. He is from above, they are from below. He uses heavenly standards, they use earthly standards. Standards Jesus has no interest in using (John 8:15b).
As confused as I get, one thing remains crystal clear – Jesus’ claims are out of this world. The claims are as plainly divine as could be. The question is whether we accept them.
