Testify about God
John 8:12-30
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Our text for this morning comes from the Gospel lesson. Jesus says, "I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." The Jews don't believe he can testify about himself in this way.
What can you say about yourself and everyone would believe you? Most of us do not question when someone asks your name. Unless I told you I was the King, you might believe most of what I say about myself. Likewise, if you told me you were 6' 8" and didn't look over 5' 6", we might question your testimony about yourself.
The Jews question Jesus testimony about himself for a couple of reasons. First, because every testimony must be conferred by two or three witnesses. So Jesus says, "In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me."
Second, they do not recognize Jesus to be anything greater than themselves. They see Jesus doing miracles and teaching, which is not much different from themselves. Granted the Jews may not have done many signs, but they probably helped some people out, or even were able to do first aid. Scripture does even testify that some of them were casting out demons. Yet, none of them were going to be so bold to say I AM, nor I am the Light of the World.
For most of us the Light of the World has little more thought than the lamp I turn on in the room. We do not have a great fascination with the Sun, unless it has been dark and gloomy out. Then we see the light of the World in the form of the Sun.
But when Jesus speaks of the Light of the World, he is speaking about more than just the Sun. Just like when he says, "You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also." He is talking in terms of Creation. God created all things, the Father through the Son by means of the Holy Spirit, together are creator of heaven and earth.
All things were made through him and for him, namely Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ our Lord is the Light of the World, because he has created Light. The first day he said, "Let there be light, and there was light." It was then the fourth day, God created the Sun and Moon.
So it may be difficult for people to recognize that you testify about yourself, without any other support. But it is even worse to testify about yourself and claim to have brought light into the creation. This is saying I AM God. I hope you picked that up. Jesus is saying I AM God.
Remember in Exodus, God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ” So Jesus is not just saying he is the Light of the World, which is saying I am God, but in addition he is saying I Am, which is saying I am God.
So if you are going to claim to be God, you had better be able to follow that up. And claiming someone else we don't know testifies to it for you is not going to cut it. So Jesus continues, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.”
I don't know about you but this does not seem helpful. Even the Jews recognize immediately, Jesus is talking about his death. He is going to die. Others will die in their sins seeking for him, since he died, but they will not find him. Likewise, the death Jesus dies you cannot die. Jesus is God. He dies to sin in our place. He dies with your sin, for the forgiveness of your sin.
He continues, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” He reminds them once again, He is God. You are from below, does not mean you are of the devil, but could mean you are being ruled by the devil. It more simply means you are created. He is God, and you are not. He is creator, and you are creature. He will die for you, so that you who believe in him will be forgiven of your sins.
It is only finally, when the Son of Man is lifted up for all to see, Jesus is the sacrifice for the forgiveness of all sins. It is then in that sign when it will be boldly confessed, Truly this was/is the Son of God. It is there upon the cross, we see our savior. From the foot of the cross, we can finally see the creator is pleased to send his Son to die for the forgiveness of our sins.
Throughout this Lenten Season, we will hear the many different times Jesus told the people I Am God. He will say it differently, but each time we recognize that Jesus is God, because he was lifted up for the forgiveness of our sins. Amen.
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
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