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The Gospel of John, The Period of Conflict, Continuing discourse after the feast, Jesus as the Light of the World, Part XIV, John 8:28,29 - Lesson 61
OUTLINE REVIEW
I. Prologue-The theme-Belief 1:1-18 II. The Presentation of the Object of Belief 1:19-4:54 III. The Issues of Belief and of Unbelief 5:1-6:71 IV. The Clash of Belief and Unbelief 7:1-11:53 V. The Declaration of Belief and Unbelief 11:54-12:36 VI. The Strengthening of Belief 12:36-17:26 VII. The Victory over Unbelief 18:1-20:29 VIII.The Responsibility of Belief 21:1-25
Read Verses John 8:25-27, Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning. I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him. They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
John 8:28, Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
Jesus refers to his lifting up.
Jesus knew why he was here and he knew where he was going.
He fully knew what he faced.
He tells them in this passage that his lifting up, his crucifixion, will verify that he is the Messiah.
Note the italics of the word "he".
It is a supplied word by the translators.
Read without it, "then shall ye know that I AM".
He tells them plainly that he is God. He is the "I AM"
He infers that his divine glory will be revealed when he is lifted up.
Remember the Calvary miracles, the rocks rent by earthquake, the darkening sky, the opening of the graves, the tearing in two of the temple veil.
Remember the centurion who said, "Truly this was the Son of God."
And remember Luke 23:48, And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.
There was no doubt that a terrible crime had been committed.
Heaven and earth protested the crime of man against his God.
And then the greatest proof of all took place three days later when this very man rose from a tomb after being placed there dead as man can be.
Jesus instructs them that this is what will take place.
Mark his words. He knows, they do not know!
He knows because he follow exactly his Father's will.
He says: I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
Jesus constantly reminds his listeners that he was at the disposal of his Father at all times.
He did absolutely nothing of himself.
He was wholly available, wholly dependant upon God at all times, under all circumstances.
That is why he could say, I do nothing of myself.
This is the keystone of a sinless human being.
The essence of all sin is independence of God.
The essence of sinlessness is dependence upon God.
It was by the obedience of Jesus Christ, that God the Father demonstrates to us what he had in his mind when he created mankind.
John 8:29, And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
Jesus Christ enjoyed constant communion with the Father.
There was never a separation or a schism because of sin, for he had none.
There was never a moment when Jesus did not bring joy and delight to his Father's heart.
Jesus Christ never finished a day with regret.
He never wished he had done and said things differently because he always did the will of the Father.
Jesus Christ did not have a life with God and a life apart from God.
Everything he did, he did to please the Father. Everything!
Nothing was done to please himself.
He was truly holy in that his life was truly separated unto God.
None of his life was separated unto himself.
When he walked, when he talked, when he worked, when he performed miracles, he did all things to please his Father.
He lived in perfect communion with him. |