Jesus Is

Read: John 8.12-59

The events in today’s reading should be read in the context of John 7. The Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, a celebration full of symbolism and pageantry, featured priests who had drawn water from outside the Temple in Jerusalem and carried it into the Temple courts in a grand procession. It was in this context that Jesus identified Himself as the source of living water to the thirsty. However, light also played a role in the festivities. During the nighttime hours of the celebration, the Temple courtyard was ablaze with torchlight as the crowds joined in singing God’s praises. It is in this additional context that Jesus proclaims, “I am the light of the world” (John 8.12a). In doing this, Jesus was not simply playing on the powerful imagery of the festival’s torchlight; the Old Testament repeatedly emphasized the symbolism of light as God’s gift of life, guidance, protection, and even presence among His people. Jesus’ claim to be the light of the world was a lofty claim indeed, but He adds a crucial promise to this claim: “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8.12b).

Jesus later makes yet another incredible claim: “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8.31-32). Jesus sets out a test for those who had believed in Him, to distinguish between true (and enduring) disciples and those who simply wanted their expectations fulfilled. Dr. Joseph Dongell, in his commentary on this passage, identifies the following “links in the chain:”

“First, the requirement to hold to Jesus’ teaching not only stressed the need for faith to continue beyond its starting point, but underscored the centrality of Jesus’ word for salvation. The true disciple will hold firmly to Jesus’ word, because in those words he hears the voice of the Father. Second, Jesus’ teaching brings one to know the truth – truth about God, truth about Jesus as the Son, truth about his or her own sin and liability to eternal death, truth about all that is necessary for salvation. Though from every standard of truth known to the world the teaching of Jesus may be judged false or inadequate, it stands perfectly aligned to the Father’s will and character, and is therefore unfailingly true. Third, this knowledge of truth (accessible only by holding on to Jesus’ teaching) brings freedom, a freedom from slavery to sin and to death which follows immediately behind.”

Jesus offer of freedom is freedom from false forms of redemption, including our comforts, careers, fickle peer pressure, positive feedback from social media, or seeming political victories. Jesus declares, “Before Abraham was born, I am” (John 8.58). As Dr. Paul Louis Metzger writes:

“How can we settle for that which is fleeting and ultimately impersonal rather than pursue lasting, relational identity with God through His Son, who with His Father is the Great I AM? Before my comforts, Jesus is. Before my career, Jesus is. Before my casual Internet friendships…Jesus is. Before all our attempts at finding false redemption, Jesus is. Jesus is the great ‘I AM.’ As the great I AM, Jesus is our all in all.”