2019.01.25 Hopewell @Home ▫ John 8:12-20

Read John 8:12-20

Questions for Littles: Who speaks in v12? What does He say about Himself? What will happen to those who follow Him? Who complain about his testimony (v13)? What do they claim as proof that Jesus is not telling the truth? What does Jesus say about His own witness (v14)? What two things does He say that He knows, that He also says that the don’t know? How do they judge (v15)? Whom has Jesus judged so far? With whom will He eventually judge (v16)? What kind of testimony does Jesus say is true in v17? Whom does He present as His two witnesses in v18? What do the people want to know then (v19)? Now what two things does Jesus say they do not know? How can it be true that they don’t know Jesus? Where was Jesus when He taught these things? Why couldn’t anyone lay hands on him? 

In the Gospel reading this week, Jesus announces Himself as the light of the world. This isn’t just external light, but internal light.

The darkness of v13 is stunning. They are unable to see Jesus. They are unable to believe in Him. In fact, Jesus tells them that they do not know where He is from or where He is going. In other words, they do not know the Father at all. What a tragedy!

They understand that Jesus is saying this, but they don’t understand what the significance of it is: that His Father is the living God! They are actually dull-witted enough to follow that statement up by asking as to the location of His Father! Jesus makes it more plain: “You know neither Me…” stop right there!

Here, we see that there is knowing Jesus, and that there is really knowing Jesus. When He says, “you do not know Me,” Jesus is not saying, “you do not know many facts about My life.” Instead, He is saying that they have not come to Him to follow Him. So, they are walking in darkness, and have no light.

It seems like a catch 22. If you don’t know Jesus, you won’t have light. But you need to know Jesus to get light!

The good news is that we can ask Jesus for all that we need. Since He gives light, then we can say with confidence, “Lord, I believe! Help my unbelief!

How does your prayer life reflect a desire to know Jesus better? When you have spiritual difficulty, how do you typically respond?

Suggested songs: ARP32A “What Blessedness” or TPH459 “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less”