WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.540 Please be seated. This morning, we're going to look at John 8. This is the second installment in 00:00:09.540 --> 00:00:15.820 a series that's looking at Jesus and these brief little moments where he makes these 00:00:15.820 --> 00:00:24.240 big grand statements, and they start out with, I am. So we looked at Jesus' statement in John 6, 00:00:24.239 --> 00:00:31.519 where he said, I am the light of the world, or sorry, I am the bread of life. And now we're 00:00:31.519 --> 00:00:37.679 looking at Jesus' statement where he says, I am the light of the world. So if you have a Bible, 00:00:37.679 --> 00:00:44.679 turn with me to John 8. We're going to start reading at verse 12, and then we're going to go 00:00:44.679 --> 00:00:54.159 on to verse 20. So you can look in the bulletin, or you can look in your Bible. But turn with me 00:00:54.159 --> 00:01:04.959 as we give attention to God's word. This is John 8. Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, I am the 00:01:04.959 --> 00:01:11.239 light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. 00:01:11.739 --> 00:01:17.179 So the Pharisees said to him, you are bearing witness about yourself. Your testimony is not true. 00:01:17.799 --> 00:01:24.079 And Jesus answered, even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true. For I know 00:01:24.079 --> 00:01:29.920 where I came from and where I'm going, but you don't know where I come from or where I'm going. 00:01:30.459 --> 00:01:37.900 You judge according to the flesh. I judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true. 00:01:38.340 --> 00:01:44.379 For it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. In your law, it is written 00:01:44.379 --> 00:01:49.799 that the testimony of two people is true. I am the one who bears witness about myself, 00:01:49.799 --> 00:01:55.759 and the Father who sent me bears witness about me. They said to him, therefore, where is your father? 00:01:56.359 --> 00:02:03.019 And Jesus answered, you know neither me nor my father. If you knew me, you would know my father also. 00:02:03.819 --> 00:02:09.560 These words he spoke in the treasury as he taught in the temple, but no one arrested him because his 00:02:09.560 --> 00:02:17.460 hour had not yet come. Let's pray. Lord, we thank you for these statements that Jesus makes in the 00:02:17.460 --> 00:02:29.840 gospel of John about who he is. Help us to see Jesus as he truly is. And this morning, may we see him as 00:02:29.840 --> 00:02:37.360 the light of the world. In Christ's name we pray. Amen. I have to admit, I'm a little bit nervous about 00:02:37.360 --> 00:02:45.760 what I'm about to tell you. And if I get shaky, the reason is because it brings back so many memories as a 00:02:45.759 --> 00:02:54.840 kid. Because none of you will know the name Judy Bundy. And if you do know Judy Bundy or Miss Ms. Bundy, 00:02:55.039 --> 00:03:02.620 you don't know the Judy Bundy. At the mention of her name, I still go into like a panic and cold sweat, 00:03:02.859 --> 00:03:09.419 and I have flashbacks of forgetting my lab report, or me answering a question and not knowing the answer 00:03:09.419 --> 00:03:17.560 and trying to get out of it and escape. And the Ms. Judy Bundy just crushing my spirit. And everyone 00:03:17.560 --> 00:03:27.060 in class laughing at me. The Ms. Judy Bundy, and that's how she referred to herself often, was the 00:03:27.060 --> 00:03:32.979 most feared biology teacher in all of Raleigh, North Carolina. I'm convinced of it. I don't care what high 00:03:32.979 --> 00:03:40.239 school you went to, I don't care if you ever took her in a class, because if you said her name in the hallway, 00:03:40.399 --> 00:03:49.759 she would just appear. The Ms. Judy Bundy was feared and fearsome. She cut no slack. She was demanding. 00:03:51.879 --> 00:04:00.199 She loved science, but more than that, she loved the scientific method. And why did she like it? 00:04:00.199 --> 00:04:06.959 Because it was a way for her to teach us how to think. I'm convinced of that. I haven't asked her this. 00:04:07.659 --> 00:04:15.679 Maybe I will one day. But she loves Sir Francis Bacon and his rules for observation, because she could 00:04:15.679 --> 00:04:21.939 challenge something a student said. And if it wasn't well-founded, again, she would make you look 00:04:21.939 --> 00:04:32.399 pretty stinking silly in class. Obviously, my memory of her has something to do with authority. Both her 00:04:32.399 --> 00:04:40.480 as a figure, but in class as well. She prized authority, and she didn't need to demand it. It 00:04:40.480 --> 00:04:46.060 just came out of her. And whenever you spoke, you better be sure you knew what you were talking about. 00:04:46.060 --> 00:04:51.500 If you made a claim, you better be able to back it up with her beloved scientific method. 00:04:52.759 --> 00:04:59.019 Because if you made a claim, it needed to have authority. And because you are ninth grader in 00:04:59.019 --> 00:05:05.040 biology class, you don't have much authority. But if you could observe something and show her what you 00:05:05.040 --> 00:05:12.360 saw, and you could prove it, you had authority. If you claim something, it needed to come with authority. 00:05:12.360 --> 00:05:20.060 That same dynamic is at play here in a story like John 8, where Jesus makes this big claim, right? 00:05:20.620 --> 00:05:27.540 I am the light of the world. But then there's this question of authority, and it almost gets derailed. 00:05:27.800 --> 00:05:33.439 In fact, it does get derailed with all of these questions over authority. And those are the two 00:05:33.439 --> 00:05:38.580 headings that we're going to look at this morning. Jesus' claim, and then the authority with which he 00:05:38.579 --> 00:05:47.339 speaks, with which he answers. So, as we look at this text, I want to remind us of something that I 00:05:47.339 --> 00:05:54.000 said last time when we looked at when Jesus said, I am the bread of life. He is talking about himself, 00:05:54.819 --> 00:06:03.000 right? And throughout this time, he is pointing us to himself. Now, you might say, I want a lot 00:06:03.000 --> 00:06:10.480 less talk and a lot more actions. Don't actions speak for themselves. They do. But remember, Jesus 00:06:10.480 --> 00:06:16.759 has done that over and over, and there's still confusion about who he is and what he's saying. 00:06:17.300 --> 00:06:21.899 And so, when we look at these I am statements, it's almost like we're giving a microphone. I've 00:06:21.899 --> 00:06:27.279 heard it said like this. We're giving a microphone to Jesus and saying, who are you? Who is it that you 00:06:27.279 --> 00:06:35.579 say you are? And he's declaring very boldly and very simply the answer to that question. But he gives us 00:06:35.579 --> 00:06:42.859 an answer that's kind of weird, if we're honest. He says, I am the light of the world. And so, in 00:06:42.859 --> 00:06:48.799 cutting through this confusion, he answers, I am the light of the world. But what does that mean? What 00:06:48.799 --> 00:06:54.859 does that mean for us? And why the light of the world? That seems odd. We get the bread of life part. 00:06:54.860 --> 00:07:01.480 I need him to eat and live and move and have my being. I need to be sustained. But why the light 00:07:01.480 --> 00:07:09.420 of the world? Why light at all? Let's look together at verse 12. Simple enough. I'm the light of the 00:07:09.420 --> 00:07:16.939 world. Do we even need to read it again? We do. Why? Because we need to unearth, why is he using this 00:07:16.939 --> 00:07:24.240 image of light? If you remember in John's gospel, it's not as if each new paragraph is a new day. 00:07:24.240 --> 00:07:30.800 There's some paragraphs and some pages of scripture that are going through, and it's one single day, 00:07:31.300 --> 00:07:37.439 maybe even one single conversation, but they're different topics. And if you look back in chapter 00:07:37.439 --> 00:07:44.460 seven of John's gospel, at chapter seven, verse 37, it tells us that this time where it's happening 00:07:44.460 --> 00:07:51.540 is at the festival of the booze. Now, that was a time when all of Israel went up to Jerusalem 00:07:51.540 --> 00:07:59.260 to worship, went up to make merry. One commentator calls it the time when the Levitical orchestra 00:07:59.260 --> 00:08:05.840 cuts loose. I would like to see the day when our music team, you know, comes up to worship and cuts 00:08:05.840 --> 00:08:12.600 loose for a week or so. That sounds pretty awesome. So as Israel was coming to worship and celebrate 00:08:12.600 --> 00:08:19.220 and do all these things and cut loose and make merry, they were literally going up. It's not like 00:08:19.220 --> 00:08:26.700 I'm just going down the street. Everywhere around could see this area because it was a gain in elevation. 00:08:27.420 --> 00:08:34.379 And so as there were lights about worship in the evening, you could see it for miles and miles around. 00:08:35.120 --> 00:08:40.399 And so that's why in the gospels we see when they talk about going to Jerusalem, they're going up to 00:08:40.399 --> 00:08:46.899 Jerusalem. They were literally going up as well as giving their hearts and going up. And so they're doing 00:08:46.899 --> 00:08:53.620 this on the heels of this event, maybe even on the last day. Jesus is saying, you see all those lights up 00:08:53.620 --> 00:09:00.379 there? Or you see all these lights? And as you're coming up, I am the light of the world. So it's in that 00:09:00.379 --> 00:09:09.720 context he uses light. It's unobstructed for everyone to see in the land. And Jesus is saying, see me. 00:09:09.720 --> 00:09:16.180 I am the light of the world. But why light? It's not just the immediate context or the events of 00:09:16.180 --> 00:09:23.000 what's going on. But light and darkness have a long history in the Christian gospel, in the message of 00:09:23.000 --> 00:09:28.300 Christianity, and in the history of Israel. Think about the beginning of John's gospel. It starts 00:09:28.300 --> 00:09:35.840 something like this. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God. And the Word was God. 00:09:35.840 --> 00:09:41.500 He was in the beginning with God. And all things were made through him, and without him was not 00:09:41.500 --> 00:09:47.680 anything that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the 00:09:47.680 --> 00:09:54.420 darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. If that sounds really similar to what we read earlier 00:09:54.420 --> 00:10:00.340 in the Old Testament reading, that's intentional on John's part. He's trying to show and draw through 00:10:00.340 --> 00:10:07.860 and show his readers that, hey, you know this really familiar story in Genesis 1? That is talking about 00:10:07.860 --> 00:10:15.519 something far grander than you could imagine. In fact, it's talking about this event. The Word coming into 00:10:15.519 --> 00:10:24.160 the world. The Word making all things. But in that, there's something as well. When we see those days and 00:10:24.159 --> 00:10:31.959 nights, we see a disparity. We see light and darkness. Because day can't be night, and night can't be day. 00:10:32.339 --> 00:10:38.659 Darkness can't be light, and light can't be darkness. They're as far away from each other as they can be. 00:10:39.039 --> 00:10:47.539 There's no mixing. There's no gray. It's day and night. But there's also something really important 00:10:47.539 --> 00:10:54.299 when we talk about light. Oftentimes, in the Old Testament, light means God in the midst of darkness. 00:10:54.480 --> 00:11:00.599 I think we all get that as people that read the scriptures. Darkness is sin, and light is God or 00:11:00.599 --> 00:11:06.839 goodness. But it's not just light that comes from God's Word. God himself is described as light. 00:11:07.399 --> 00:11:15.539 Psalm 27 1 says this, the Lord is my light and my salvation. So we get all these pictures of light and 00:11:15.539 --> 00:11:22.480 darkness. But when it comes to light, light is never evil. Light is never bad. Light is always God, 00:11:22.860 --> 00:11:28.299 goodness, justice, and truth. And so even when we talk about those attributes as being light, 00:11:28.699 --> 00:11:32.199 his Word revealing his character, it's all pointing back to God. 00:11:33.860 --> 00:11:40.659 Light is more than just the immediate context of the festival of booze. Light is more than just the 00:11:40.659 --> 00:11:46.319 beginning of the gospel of John. But light is pointing back to God himself. 00:11:48.019 --> 00:11:56.199 So that's why when Jesus makes this claim, I am the light of the world, it's startling to those he's 00:11:56.199 --> 00:12:04.100 speaking to. It should be startling to us. He is pulling forth all these images and all of these 00:12:04.100 --> 00:12:12.980 pictures and saying, that's who I am. Who is Jesus? I am light. I am God. And when he's doing that, 00:12:13.240 --> 00:12:20.279 he is challenging them, not with just the idea of who he is, but there's a charge to them. We see that 00:12:20.279 --> 00:12:27.120 in the second half of that verse. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:34.840 of life. It's not as if Jesus is just leading them, stumbling through the darkness, wondering where 00:12:34.840 --> 00:12:41.620 they're going. If you've ever been in the dark at night following somebody who has the one flashlight, 00:12:41.820 --> 00:12:46.759 you know that feeling. Where are we going? When are we going to get there? I can't see that tree root. 00:12:46.879 --> 00:12:55.620 Spider webs in my face. That's not what's going on here. Jesus is saying that he is the light, 00:12:55.620 --> 00:13:04.679 and darkness is as different as him as can be. It's not day and night mixed together. No, it's day and 00:13:04.679 --> 00:13:12.799 night, light and darkness. There's a contrast at work. And the audacity of this claim is something 00:13:12.799 --> 00:13:22.259 that the Pharisees who he's talking to here really struggle with. You see, it's really easy, and it's not 00:13:22.259 --> 00:13:28.580 really challenging to say that, hey, light brings comfort. That doesn't really challenge their 00:13:28.580 --> 00:13:36.200 worldview. That doesn't make them mad. It's really easy to say, oh, light brings hope. That's true, 00:13:36.679 --> 00:13:42.740 but that's not what Jesus is saying. It's really easy to say light brings comfort because I'm scared 00:13:42.740 --> 00:13:49.019 of the dark. That's not what Jesus is saying either. He's saying that I am the light of the world. 00:13:49.019 --> 00:13:57.199 That's very different. It's a picture of contrast, not just of a warm security blanket. 00:13:58.259 --> 00:14:07.159 I am the light of the world. Now, remember, this event is happening on the same day in chapter 7, 00:14:07.220 --> 00:14:12.299 where he says, if anybody's thirsty, come to me and drink, and you will be satisfied. 00:14:12.299 --> 00:14:21.139 If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Now, Jesus is making this great claim, just like when 00:14:21.139 --> 00:14:26.719 he said the bread of life. He kind of mixed his metaphors. He's doing the same thing here. He is 00:14:26.719 --> 00:14:36.459 showing that that light is satisfying because it's not darkness. It's so different. Visually, it's different, 00:14:36.460 --> 00:14:42.540 but it's also morally different. It's different in every category, and it cannot be confused. 00:14:44.080 --> 00:14:49.180 So who is Jesus? That's that perennial question that I asked us to consider as we're looking at 00:14:49.180 --> 00:14:54.960 these statements because John is answering that question, and Jesus is answering that question 00:14:54.960 --> 00:15:01.940 with his words. Who is Jesus? He is saying that he is God. He's the light of the world, and whoever 00:15:01.940 --> 00:15:10.980 follows him will not walk in darkness. This claim from Jesus obviously has a polarizing effect. 00:15:11.660 --> 00:15:20.780 On the here's then, on us now, the dividing line of humanity, the dividing light, if you will, 00:15:21.140 --> 00:15:28.080 is not what we think it would be. It's not whether you're a Pharisee or a scribe. It's not whether you 00:15:28.080 --> 00:15:33.980 are a Jew or Gentile. It's not whether you went to a good school or didn't go to school at all. 00:15:34.460 --> 00:15:38.300 It's not whether you loved Miss Bundy or you hated Miss Bundy. 00:15:39.940 --> 00:15:45.420 It's not whether you're black or white, if you're from America, if you pay your taxes, or you don't. 00:15:46.139 --> 00:15:50.420 The dividing line of humanity is the person of Christ. 00:15:50.419 --> 00:15:58.199 That's really hard for them to hear because in their minds, they don't know about Jesus. 00:15:58.639 --> 00:16:04.039 They're unsure. They know something is different, and they don't want to commit to him. 00:16:05.319 --> 00:16:13.259 But the dividing line of humanity for them and for us is the person of Jesus, and that's polarizing. 00:16:13.259 --> 00:16:21.819 You either follow him in light or you continue in darkness. It's that different, light and dark. 00:16:23.340 --> 00:16:27.319 Now, if you're not a Christian here this morning, we're glad you're here. 00:16:27.419 --> 00:16:29.319 There's other ways that you could spend your Sunday morning. 00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:34.899 But this is really important, and Jesus is challenging you. 00:16:35.379 --> 00:16:37.319 You might not have known it when you walked in this morning, 00:16:37.320 --> 00:16:39.740 but he's challenging you and saying, 00:16:40.420 --> 00:16:42.020 will you follow me? 00:16:43.420 --> 00:16:45.560 You might not know who I am fully, 00:16:46.060 --> 00:16:48.940 but he's saying, I am God. 00:16:49.080 --> 00:16:51.320 I will give up my life for your sins. 00:16:51.900 --> 00:16:52.640 Follow me. 00:16:53.260 --> 00:16:57.500 That's divisive in our day and age. 00:16:58.080 --> 00:16:59.960 But if you're a Christian this morning, 00:17:00.900 --> 00:17:04.440 he's also calling you to step out of the darkness, 00:17:04.440 --> 00:17:07.759 out of all the struggles that you have 00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:11.160 that might be hidden from those who view you, 00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:13.559 and bring those things into the light, 00:17:14.100 --> 00:17:17.160 those things that we secretly struggle with, 00:17:18.120 --> 00:17:20.200 that sin that won't go away. 00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:24.820 He's saying, bring that into the light of confession. 00:17:25.360 --> 00:17:26.480 Bring it before me. 00:17:26.720 --> 00:17:28.820 Now, I'm not saying don't be a weirdo, okay? 00:17:29.039 --> 00:17:31.539 I'm not saying get a billboard on I-25 00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:33.440 and say, hey, I'm Andy. 00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:34.920 I cheat on my taxes. 00:17:35.599 --> 00:17:37.720 You know, I might not pick up dog poop 00:17:37.720 --> 00:17:39.240 as I walk around the neighborhood 00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:40.980 or anything like that, right? 00:17:42.559 --> 00:17:44.659 One of those is true, and one of them is not. 00:17:48.039 --> 00:17:49.779 But he is saying this. 00:17:50.099 --> 00:17:51.559 Don't be weird like that. 00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:53.579 But as there's occasion, 00:17:54.099 --> 00:17:56.619 and as we struggle through this Christian life, 00:17:56.960 --> 00:17:58.899 Christian, come into the light. 00:17:58.900 --> 00:18:01.620 Don't bring those sins into the light. 00:18:01.980 --> 00:18:03.040 Bring them before the Lord. 00:18:03.220 --> 00:18:04.200 Confess them there. 00:18:05.560 --> 00:18:07.720 Just don't do it the first time you meet somebody. 00:18:08.080 --> 00:18:10.240 If you're a Christian, you're weird enough in society. 00:18:11.120 --> 00:18:13.080 Let the gospel be the weird part. 00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:17.080 But Christian, bring those things into the light 00:18:17.080 --> 00:18:19.620 because there's a thing about darkness 00:18:19.620 --> 00:18:21.040 where we think that it's hidden, 00:18:21.540 --> 00:18:23.420 and we think we don't have to deal with it, 00:18:23.420 --> 00:18:24.780 or it'll just go away. 00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:27.440 But the reality is that's not true. 00:18:28.539 --> 00:18:30.859 It's already been paid for by Christ. 00:18:31.639 --> 00:18:32.819 Bring them into the light. 00:18:34.180 --> 00:18:37.119 The Christian should have no part in darkness, 00:18:37.539 --> 00:18:38.680 but that's hard 00:18:38.680 --> 00:18:42.740 because as a follower of Christ, 00:18:42.899 --> 00:18:44.359 we know that we sin. 00:18:44.599 --> 00:18:46.279 We know that we need a Savior, 00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:49.339 but it's already been paid for. 00:18:49.339 --> 00:18:52.139 That's the claim that Jesus is making 00:18:52.139 --> 00:18:54.959 both for the Christian and for the non-Christian. 00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:57.319 If you've considered the claims of Christ, 00:18:57.379 --> 00:18:58.139 or you haven't, 00:18:58.879 --> 00:18:59.579 he's saying, 00:18:59.959 --> 00:19:00.980 I am the light of the world. 00:19:01.240 --> 00:19:05.819 Follow me in all aspects, 00:19:06.319 --> 00:19:07.779 in all parts of your life, 00:19:08.099 --> 00:19:09.559 in all of those dark corners, 00:19:09.699 --> 00:19:11.839 in all those parts where you think 00:19:11.839 --> 00:19:13.419 no one can see. 00:19:14.079 --> 00:19:14.879 Follow me. 00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:17.839 Now, that's a claim that Jesus is making. 00:19:17.839 --> 00:19:19.659 That's really easy for us to see. 00:19:20.379 --> 00:19:21.859 But what's much more difficult 00:19:21.859 --> 00:19:24.439 and what's much harder to understand 00:19:24.439 --> 00:19:26.779 is everything that follows after that. 00:19:27.459 --> 00:19:30.839 If you've been in a meeting, 00:19:30.959 --> 00:19:32.339 whether it's in the corporate world, 00:19:32.480 --> 00:19:33.599 whether it's a church meeting, 00:19:33.679 --> 00:19:34.879 hopefully that doesn't happen here, 00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:37.639 whether it's a meeting with your spouse, 00:19:37.779 --> 00:19:39.159 where you're going over schedules 00:19:39.159 --> 00:19:40.139 or something like that, 00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:42.039 the stated purpose of this meeting 00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:43.019 in the corporate world 00:19:43.019 --> 00:19:44.079 is going to be, 00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:46.220 we're going to review this project, 00:19:46.399 --> 00:19:47.059 this presentation. 00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:48.599 We're going to slap the table 00:19:48.599 --> 00:19:49.519 and go forward. 00:19:50.839 --> 00:19:52.399 But you come into that meeting 00:19:52.399 --> 00:19:53.819 or you have that discussion 00:19:53.819 --> 00:19:54.619 with your spouse 00:19:54.619 --> 00:19:56.480 or even a child is even better. 00:19:57.440 --> 00:19:59.000 You realize really quickly, 00:19:59.339 --> 00:20:01.639 we came wanting to talk about this, 00:20:02.099 --> 00:20:04.159 but my meeting got hijacked 00:20:04.159 --> 00:20:05.700 and we're going this way 00:20:05.700 --> 00:20:07.039 when we should have been going this way. 00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:09.259 The presentation was supposed to be, 00:20:09.519 --> 00:20:10.039 the pitch, 00:20:10.159 --> 00:20:11.119 the big business pitch 00:20:11.119 --> 00:20:11.960 was supposed to happen, 00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:13.359 but clearly we're still 00:20:13.359 --> 00:20:14.919 in the planning conference phase. 00:20:14.920 --> 00:20:17.340 Clearly we're planning 00:20:17.340 --> 00:20:18.380 our summer vacation 00:20:18.380 --> 00:20:20.000 and now we're talking about 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:21.560 who spilled chocolate syrup 00:20:21.560 --> 00:20:22.220 on the floor. 00:20:22.680 --> 00:20:24.480 Or if you're talking with a kid, 00:20:24.560 --> 00:20:26.180 you wanted to talk about grades 00:20:26.180 --> 00:20:28.820 and now we're talking about unicorns. 00:20:29.180 --> 00:20:30.920 Your meeting has been hijacked. 00:20:31.700 --> 00:20:32.740 That's what's happening 00:20:32.740 --> 00:20:33.620 to Jesus here. 00:20:34.180 --> 00:20:36.259 He's talking about following after him, 00:20:36.539 --> 00:20:37.920 him being the light of the world. 00:20:38.120 --> 00:20:40.180 And what did the Pharisees say to him? 00:20:40.880 --> 00:20:42.800 Hey, how can you say those things? 00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:44.700 What authority do you have? 00:20:45.159 --> 00:20:46.299 Wait, I thought there was supposed 00:20:46.299 --> 00:20:47.240 to be a witness here. 00:20:47.879 --> 00:20:49.159 This can't be true. 00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:52.799 His interaction with the Pharisees 00:20:52.799 --> 00:20:53.799 is hijacked. 00:20:54.099 --> 00:20:55.279 And it doesn't happen 00:20:55.279 --> 00:20:56.700 just in corporate America 00:20:56.700 --> 00:20:58.200 or the ancient Near East 00:20:58.200 --> 00:20:59.720 or when you're talking with a toddler. 00:21:00.119 --> 00:21:02.059 It happens even with things 00:21:02.059 --> 00:21:02.779 that are ultimate, 00:21:03.159 --> 00:21:04.079 that are cosmic, 00:21:04.619 --> 00:21:06.619 that are really stinking important. 00:21:07.399 --> 00:21:08.759 It's hijacked 00:21:08.759 --> 00:21:10.960 with this question of authority. 00:21:10.960 --> 00:21:13.500 How do we know that? 00:21:14.420 --> 00:21:16.440 Look with me at verse 13. 00:21:16.740 --> 00:21:18.000 It starts like this. 00:21:19.039 --> 00:21:20.420 So the Pharisees said to him, 00:21:20.579 --> 00:21:22.360 you are bearing witness about yourself. 00:21:22.860 --> 00:21:24.779 Your testimony is not true. 00:21:25.380 --> 00:21:26.460 And Jesus answered, 00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:28.840 even if I do bear witness about myself, 00:21:29.160 --> 00:21:30.460 my testimony is true. 00:21:30.840 --> 00:21:32.420 For I know where I came from 00:21:32.420 --> 00:21:33.420 and where I'm going. 00:21:33.740 --> 00:21:35.579 But you do not know 00:21:35.579 --> 00:21:36.600 where I come from 00:21:36.600 --> 00:21:37.559 or where I'm going. 00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:38.920 It's kind of interesting. 00:21:38.920 --> 00:21:40.680 This question of authority 00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:43.380 centers around three kind of big buckets 00:21:43.380 --> 00:21:44.220 or categories. 00:21:44.580 --> 00:21:45.580 The first one 00:21:45.580 --> 00:21:47.740 is this idea of testimony. 00:21:50.140 --> 00:21:51.539 At this point, 00:21:51.600 --> 00:21:53.860 when we hear the Pharisees' response, 00:21:54.360 --> 00:21:57.039 we should kind of all collectively groan 00:21:57.039 --> 00:21:59.120 and say, 00:21:59.360 --> 00:22:01.140 gosh, that question, 00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:02.779 if you remember back 00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:04.039 when we talked about John, 00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:05.759 John saying that, 00:22:05.960 --> 00:22:06.880 or Jesus saying that, 00:22:06.880 --> 00:22:08.080 I am the bread of life, 00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:09.079 that question 00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:10.379 that my friend 00:22:10.379 --> 00:22:11.919 kept asking me 00:22:11.919 --> 00:22:12.199 is, 00:22:12.519 --> 00:22:13.759 why don't they get it? 00:22:15.099 --> 00:22:15.619 Here, 00:22:15.919 --> 00:22:16.819 it seems like, 00:22:16.939 --> 00:22:17.480 again, 00:22:17.859 --> 00:22:18.639 the Pharisees 00:22:18.639 --> 00:22:20.240 just don't get it. 00:22:20.619 --> 00:22:21.599 What are they doing? 00:22:21.740 --> 00:22:22.319 What are they thinking? 00:22:22.460 --> 00:22:23.980 Why are they asking him this? 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:26.659 They don't get it. 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:28.099 And they're challenging him 00:22:28.099 --> 00:22:28.679 on something 00:22:28.679 --> 00:22:30.379 they've already challenged him on. 00:22:31.339 --> 00:22:33.279 If you flip back to John 5, 00:22:33.419 --> 00:22:34.579 a few chapters earlier, 00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:36.139 Jesus says this 00:22:36.139 --> 00:22:36.980 about witnessing 00:22:36.980 --> 00:22:38.000 and his testimony. 00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:39.240 He says, 00:22:39.379 --> 00:22:40.199 if I alone 00:22:40.199 --> 00:22:41.659 bear witness about myself, 00:22:42.299 --> 00:22:43.099 my testimony 00:22:43.099 --> 00:22:44.119 is not deemed true. 00:22:44.879 --> 00:22:45.639 There's another 00:22:45.639 --> 00:22:47.079 who bears witness about me, 00:22:47.319 --> 00:22:48.220 and I know 00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:48.960 that the testimony 00:22:48.960 --> 00:22:50.079 he bears about me 00:22:50.079 --> 00:22:50.539 is true. 00:22:51.319 --> 00:22:52.399 You sent John. 00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:53.799 And then he'll go on 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:54.439 a little bit further 00:22:54.439 --> 00:22:54.799 and say, 00:22:55.179 --> 00:22:55.919 but the testimony 00:22:55.919 --> 00:22:56.720 I have 00:22:56.720 --> 00:22:57.480 is greater 00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:58.519 than that of John. 00:22:58.519 --> 00:22:59.759 for the works 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:00.480 that the Father 00:23:00.480 --> 00:23:01.480 has given me 00:23:01.480 --> 00:23:02.400 to accomplish, 00:23:02.819 --> 00:23:03.720 the very works 00:23:03.720 --> 00:23:04.559 I'm doing, 00:23:05.359 --> 00:23:06.019 bear witness 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:07.000 about me 00:23:07.000 --> 00:23:07.759 that the Father 00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:08.519 has sent me. 00:23:08.920 --> 00:23:09.579 And the Father 00:23:09.579 --> 00:23:10.420 who sent me 00:23:10.420 --> 00:23:12.000 has he himself 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:12.900 borne witness 00:23:12.900 --> 00:23:13.980 about me. 00:23:14.480 --> 00:23:15.420 This is kind of 00:23:15.420 --> 00:23:16.059 a continuation 00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:17.879 of that conversation. 00:23:19.220 --> 00:23:19.940 This matter 00:23:19.940 --> 00:23:20.559 should have already 00:23:20.559 --> 00:23:21.059 been settled, 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:21.920 but the Pharisees 00:23:21.920 --> 00:23:22.779 are trying to play 00:23:22.779 --> 00:23:23.539 a trick on him. 00:23:23.779 --> 00:23:24.480 He said, 00:23:24.839 --> 00:23:26.079 if I bear witness 00:23:26.079 --> 00:23:26.879 about myself, 00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:28.019 then it's not true. 00:23:28.920 --> 00:23:29.599 You see, 00:23:29.720 --> 00:23:30.639 this conversation 00:23:30.639 --> 00:23:31.740 is taking place 00:23:31.740 --> 00:23:32.720 against the backdrop 00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:34.460 of Deuteronomy 19. 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:35.139 It's something 00:23:35.139 --> 00:23:36.019 that we kind of have 00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:37.099 in our own legal system 00:23:37.099 --> 00:23:38.099 where it says, 00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:38.940 if you have a witness, 00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:39.839 you've got to have 00:23:39.839 --> 00:23:40.539 more than one 00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:42.339 because those witnesses 00:23:42.339 --> 00:23:43.339 could conflict. 00:23:43.799 --> 00:23:44.700 Their testimonies 00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:46.839 could not corroborate 00:23:46.839 --> 00:23:47.440 each other. 00:23:49.039 --> 00:23:50.359 But the Pharisees 00:23:50.359 --> 00:23:51.019 are asking 00:23:51.019 --> 00:23:52.359 this question. 00:23:53.079 --> 00:23:53.819 They're saying, 00:23:54.420 --> 00:23:55.139 and we'll see 00:23:55.139 --> 00:23:56.379 if they're doing this 00:23:56.379 --> 00:23:57.299 intentionally 00:23:57.299 --> 00:23:58.779 to trap him 00:23:58.779 --> 00:24:00.599 or if they're doing it 00:24:00.599 --> 00:24:01.180 out of like 00:24:01.180 --> 00:24:02.279 actually wondering 00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:03.480 who Jesus is, 00:24:03.819 --> 00:24:04.319 they're saying, 00:24:04.419 --> 00:24:04.720 Jesus, 00:24:04.919 --> 00:24:05.960 you can't witness 00:24:05.960 --> 00:24:06.759 about yourself. 00:24:06.940 --> 00:24:08.119 You even said this. 00:24:09.259 --> 00:24:10.359 So are they asking 00:24:10.359 --> 00:24:11.919 out of true curiosity 00:24:11.919 --> 00:24:13.339 or are they asking 00:24:13.339 --> 00:24:14.079 because they're trying 00:24:14.079 --> 00:24:14.919 to trap him? 00:24:15.559 --> 00:24:15.899 Well, 00:24:16.039 --> 00:24:17.079 it's the Pharisees, 00:24:17.359 --> 00:24:17.779 right? 00:24:17.940 --> 00:24:18.740 This isn't their 00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:19.740 first rodeo. 00:24:19.919 --> 00:24:21.059 This isn't the first time 00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:21.740 we've seen them 00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:22.779 interact with Jesus. 00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:24.339 They're trying to trap him 00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:25.419 and they're trying 00:24:25.419 --> 00:24:26.279 to get him 00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:27.279 to understand 00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:29.319 that they remember 00:24:29.319 --> 00:24:30.099 what he said 00:24:30.099 --> 00:24:30.919 and we're going to use 00:24:30.919 --> 00:24:31.779 it against you later. 00:24:32.359 --> 00:24:33.619 And Jesus says, 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:34.399 oh, no, no, no. 00:24:34.939 --> 00:24:36.279 You didn't understand 00:24:36.279 --> 00:24:37.119 what I meant. 00:24:38.139 --> 00:24:38.879 He's saying, 00:24:39.399 --> 00:24:40.959 back in chapter 5, 00:24:41.539 --> 00:24:42.399 I can offer 00:24:42.399 --> 00:24:43.459 true testimony 00:24:43.459 --> 00:24:45.299 because of those things. 00:24:45.379 --> 00:24:46.039 If I speak 00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:46.819 in conformity 00:24:46.819 --> 00:24:47.559 with the Father, 00:24:47.659 --> 00:24:48.319 I can. 00:24:48.919 --> 00:24:49.399 In fact, 00:24:49.400 --> 00:24:49.960 there's more 00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:50.780 than one witness 00:24:50.780 --> 00:24:52.980 that's here. 00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:55.060 Both myself 00:24:55.060 --> 00:24:55.800 and the Father, 00:24:55.920 --> 00:24:56.560 which we'll get to 00:24:56.560 --> 00:24:57.040 in a minute. 00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:58.700 But he's saying here, 00:24:59.220 --> 00:25:00.540 you can't pass judgment 00:25:00.540 --> 00:25:01.180 on me 00:25:01.180 --> 00:25:02.500 because you don't know 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:03.420 where I came from 00:25:03.420 --> 00:25:04.300 and you don't know 00:25:04.300 --> 00:25:04.980 where I'm going. 00:25:05.720 --> 00:25:07.200 That seems kind of odd 00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:08.240 when we consider it. 00:25:08.800 --> 00:25:09.900 But he is saying 00:25:09.900 --> 00:25:10.380 to them, 00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:11.759 you don't understand 00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:12.360 the landscape 00:25:12.360 --> 00:25:13.440 of what's going on. 00:25:13.840 --> 00:25:15.000 You have no idea. 00:25:15.360 --> 00:25:16.840 You think it's about this, 00:25:17.000 --> 00:25:18.240 but it's really about 00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:19.519 these ultimate things, 00:25:19.799 --> 00:25:21.160 these ultimate questions. 00:25:23.039 --> 00:25:24.640 That's the part one 00:25:24.640 --> 00:25:25.519 to this challenge 00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:26.120 of authority. 00:25:26.680 --> 00:25:27.680 The second one, 00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:29.579 that second big topic, 00:25:29.880 --> 00:25:31.039 is about judgment. 00:25:31.640 --> 00:25:32.460 And we see those 00:25:32.460 --> 00:25:35.140 in verses like 15 and 16. 00:25:37.539 --> 00:25:38.740 Judgment's confusing 00:25:38.740 --> 00:25:41.640 because it's Jesus. 00:25:42.220 --> 00:25:43.700 He says here in verse 15, 00:25:44.079 --> 00:25:44.819 you judge according 00:25:44.819 --> 00:25:45.500 to the flesh, 00:25:45.620 --> 00:25:46.859 I judge no one. 00:25:47.480 --> 00:25:47.880 Okay. 00:25:48.240 --> 00:25:51.220 Yet even if I do judge, 00:25:51.319 --> 00:25:52.440 my judgment is true. 00:25:52.839 --> 00:25:54.019 For it is not I alone 00:25:54.019 --> 00:25:54.640 who judge, 00:25:54.740 --> 00:25:55.880 but I and the Father 00:25:55.880 --> 00:25:56.680 who sent me. 00:25:57.759 --> 00:25:59.059 So is Jesus 00:25:59.059 --> 00:26:01.079 not judging 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:02.120 because he was sent here 00:26:02.120 --> 00:26:02.660 as a Savior? 00:26:03.160 --> 00:26:04.000 That's not exactly 00:26:04.000 --> 00:26:04.740 what he's saying. 00:26:04.839 --> 00:26:06.120 Some people take that position. 00:26:06.779 --> 00:26:07.839 He's saying here, 00:26:08.200 --> 00:26:09.019 I don't judge 00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:09.900 like you do. 00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:11.319 I don't judge 00:26:11.319 --> 00:26:12.640 according to appearances, 00:26:13.120 --> 00:26:14.900 which is what you see 00:26:14.900 --> 00:26:15.900 earlier in the Gospels. 00:26:15.900 --> 00:26:16.960 I don't judge 00:26:16.960 --> 00:26:18.120 according to the flesh. 00:26:18.560 --> 00:26:19.019 In fact, 00:26:19.140 --> 00:26:20.000 my judgment 00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:20.840 is perfect 00:26:20.840 --> 00:26:22.280 because I do it 00:26:22.280 --> 00:26:22.980 with the Father. 00:26:23.460 --> 00:26:24.320 And it gets back 00:26:24.320 --> 00:26:25.680 to this ultimate thing 00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:26.900 that they are missing, 00:26:27.220 --> 00:26:27.940 that Jesus 00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:29.360 is related 00:26:29.360 --> 00:26:30.040 to the Father, 00:26:30.440 --> 00:26:31.220 that Jesus 00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:32.680 is God himself. 00:26:33.620 --> 00:26:34.320 He's part 00:26:34.320 --> 00:26:35.080 of the Trinity. 00:26:36.980 --> 00:26:37.980 Jesus judges, 00:26:38.620 --> 00:26:39.360 he just doesn't 00:26:39.360 --> 00:26:40.100 do it alone, 00:26:40.320 --> 00:26:41.300 and he doesn't do it 00:26:41.300 --> 00:26:42.160 like the Pharisees 00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:42.519 do it. 00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:43.380 And that kind of 00:26:43.380 --> 00:26:44.120 makes them mad. 00:26:45.040 --> 00:26:45.280 Now, 00:26:45.320 --> 00:26:45.720 I'm not going to 00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:46.720 commend this author 00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:47.740 by any stretch, 00:26:47.860 --> 00:26:48.840 and I'm pretty sure, 00:26:49.380 --> 00:26:50.600 maybe not Miss Bundy, 00:26:50.680 --> 00:26:51.680 but a seminary professor 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:52.240 is going to come 00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:53.440 smack me in the face. 00:26:54.000 --> 00:26:54.400 But, 00:26:54.680 --> 00:26:55.660 this author, 00:26:56.380 --> 00:26:57.080 Rudolf Bolt, 00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:57.040 ! 00:26:58.420 --> 00:27:00.340 Rudolf Boltmann, 00:27:01.380 --> 00:27:01.920 I don't commend 00:27:01.920 --> 00:27:02.960 anything that he wrote. 00:27:03.100 --> 00:27:04.200 It's not normally helpful. 00:27:04.600 --> 00:27:05.580 But even him, 00:27:05.740 --> 00:27:06.660 even the guy 00:27:06.660 --> 00:27:07.400 who questions 00:27:07.400 --> 00:27:08.180 everything about 00:27:08.180 --> 00:27:09.020 the Christian faith, 00:27:09.520 --> 00:27:10.780 says about these verses, 00:27:11.100 --> 00:27:12.180 about the Pharisees, 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:13.600 that Jesus 00:27:13.600 --> 00:27:15.240 is making a mockery 00:27:15.240 --> 00:27:16.779 of Jewish legalism. 00:27:17.140 --> 00:27:18.299 He can see that 00:27:18.299 --> 00:27:19.799 in this text. 00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:21.500 Because in it, 00:27:21.600 --> 00:27:22.759 he's showing them 00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:24.320 that they're so concerned 00:27:24.320 --> 00:27:25.240 about the testimony 00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:26.060 of witnesses, 00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:27.799 they're so concerned 00:27:27.799 --> 00:27:28.580 about judging, 00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:30.360 but they miss 00:27:30.360 --> 00:27:31.740 that it's all about God, 00:27:31.920 --> 00:27:33.100 that God is at the center 00:27:33.100 --> 00:27:33.480 of it. 00:27:34.680 --> 00:27:35.660 Even that guy 00:27:35.660 --> 00:27:36.340 can see 00:27:36.340 --> 00:27:37.100 it's about 00:27:37.100 --> 00:27:38.360 God. 00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:40.380 The third 00:27:40.380 --> 00:27:40.960 kind of bend 00:27:40.960 --> 00:27:41.759 about authority, 00:27:42.340 --> 00:27:42.980 the topic 00:27:42.980 --> 00:27:43.480 that we need 00:27:43.480 --> 00:27:44.120 to talk about 00:27:44.120 --> 00:27:45.240 is relationship. 00:27:45.680 --> 00:27:46.340 We see that 00:27:46.340 --> 00:27:47.420 by the Pharisees 00:27:47.420 --> 00:27:47.860 missing, 00:27:48.279 --> 00:27:48.819 that it's about 00:27:48.819 --> 00:27:49.680 God himself. 00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:51.240 Now, 00:27:51.299 --> 00:27:52.059 what I didn't tell you 00:27:52.059 --> 00:27:52.960 about Miss Bundy, 00:27:53.579 --> 00:27:54.279 and the reason 00:27:54.279 --> 00:27:55.279 she had so much 00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:55.980 power 00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:57.360 and authority, 00:27:57.920 --> 00:27:59.519 wasn't because 00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:00.680 she was my science teacher. 00:28:01.200 --> 00:28:02.579 It was who she knew. 00:28:03.299 --> 00:28:04.420 She knew 00:28:04.420 --> 00:28:06.299 Dr. Nina Page. 00:28:06.420 --> 00:28:06.900 And who is 00:28:06.900 --> 00:28:08.059 Dr. Nina Page? 00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:09.399 It's my grandmother. 00:28:10.440 --> 00:28:10.619 So, 00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:12.619 Dr. Nina Page 00:28:12.619 --> 00:28:13.700 and Miss Judy, 00:28:13.799 --> 00:28:15.059 the Miss Judy Bundy, 00:28:15.220 --> 00:28:16.659 both love science, 00:28:17.179 --> 00:28:18.700 and they were 00:28:18.700 --> 00:28:19.859 in the same Bible study. 00:28:20.259 --> 00:28:20.539 So, 00:28:20.659 --> 00:28:21.539 if I performed 00:28:21.539 --> 00:28:22.779 poorly in school, 00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:24.259 I would hear about it 00:28:24.259 --> 00:28:25.039 from my grandmother, 00:28:25.200 --> 00:28:26.359 not just my parents, 00:28:26.659 --> 00:28:27.379 but it would come 00:28:27.379 --> 00:28:27.779 to me 00:28:27.779 --> 00:28:28.559 with much more 00:28:28.559 --> 00:28:29.139 authority 00:28:29.139 --> 00:28:30.759 and much more, 00:28:31.220 --> 00:28:32.500 honestly, 00:28:32.639 --> 00:28:33.019 anger 00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:34.480 at underperforming. 00:28:34.480 --> 00:28:36.099 And I would even see 00:28:36.099 --> 00:28:36.660 Miss Bundy 00:28:36.660 --> 00:28:38.059 outside of school. 00:28:38.440 --> 00:28:38.700 You know, 00:28:38.740 --> 00:28:39.620 when you see your teacher 00:28:39.620 --> 00:28:40.240 and you realize 00:28:40.240 --> 00:28:41.740 they're a normal human being too, 00:28:42.160 --> 00:28:43.700 and she knew my grandmother, 00:28:44.380 --> 00:28:44.680 man, 00:28:44.779 --> 00:28:45.660 I was in trouble 00:28:45.660 --> 00:28:47.220 because her power 00:28:47.220 --> 00:28:48.079 wasn't limited 00:28:48.079 --> 00:28:49.140 just to the classroom. 00:28:49.400 --> 00:28:50.579 I couldn't escape it. 00:28:51.220 --> 00:28:52.339 It was everywhere 00:28:52.339 --> 00:28:54.420 because her authority, 00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:55.500 her power, 00:28:55.700 --> 00:28:57.579 was based on this relationship 00:28:57.579 --> 00:28:58.559 to my grandmother. 00:28:59.559 --> 00:29:01.519 The same is true here. 00:29:01.519 --> 00:29:04.379 What the Pharisees 00:29:04.379 --> 00:29:05.799 and the scribes miss 00:29:05.799 --> 00:29:07.359 is that the authority 00:29:07.359 --> 00:29:08.240 and power 00:29:08.240 --> 00:29:10.180 with which Jesus speaks 00:29:10.180 --> 00:29:12.359 comes from his relationship 00:29:12.359 --> 00:29:13.200 to the Father. 00:29:13.940 --> 00:29:15.220 Not only do they miss 00:29:15.220 --> 00:29:15.839 that the law 00:29:15.839 --> 00:29:17.059 is pointing to Christ, 00:29:17.339 --> 00:29:18.299 but they miss 00:29:18.299 --> 00:29:20.119 that Jesus is saying 00:29:20.119 --> 00:29:21.119 he is God. 00:29:21.960 --> 00:29:23.319 The Pharisees failed. 00:29:23.799 --> 00:29:25.460 They failed to understand 00:29:25.460 --> 00:29:26.500 this whole thing. 00:29:27.460 --> 00:29:28.619 It's why they questioned 00:29:28.619 --> 00:29:29.700 Jesus' authority 00:29:29.700 --> 00:29:30.720 in the first place. 00:29:31.519 --> 00:29:33.019 And then they circle 00:29:33.019 --> 00:29:33.759 around to it, 00:29:33.819 --> 00:29:35.079 or Jesus circles around to it 00:29:35.079 --> 00:29:36.339 again in 17 and 18. 00:29:36.859 --> 00:29:37.599 In your law, 00:29:37.660 --> 00:29:38.079 it is written 00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:38.740 that the testimony 00:29:38.740 --> 00:29:39.839 of two people is true. 00:29:40.839 --> 00:29:41.660 I am the one 00:29:41.660 --> 00:29:42.920 who bears witness 00:29:42.920 --> 00:29:43.859 about myself 00:29:43.859 --> 00:29:45.299 and the Father 00:29:45.299 --> 00:29:46.099 who sent me 00:29:46.099 --> 00:29:47.339 bears witness about me. 00:29:47.680 --> 00:29:48.940 The relationship there. 00:29:51.019 --> 00:29:52.139 The relationship 00:29:52.139 --> 00:29:53.460 is the part 00:29:53.460 --> 00:29:54.339 that they miss 00:29:54.339 --> 00:29:56.460 both about the law 00:29:56.460 --> 00:29:58.119 and about who 00:29:58.119 --> 00:29:59.819 Jesus is saying himself. 00:29:59.819 --> 00:30:02.259 He's saying, 00:30:02.579 --> 00:30:03.720 I am God. 00:30:03.839 --> 00:30:04.539 Who is Jesus? 00:30:05.079 --> 00:30:06.519 He answers that question 00:30:06.519 --> 00:30:07.259 for them. 00:30:08.119 --> 00:30:10.079 But why do they miss it? 00:30:11.119 --> 00:30:12.740 They miss the authority 00:30:12.740 --> 00:30:15.519 with which Jesus speaks 00:30:15.519 --> 00:30:17.399 and they misunderstand. 00:30:18.740 --> 00:30:19.759 There's kind of a hint 00:30:19.759 --> 00:30:20.259 of this 00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:21.159 when he says, 00:30:21.679 --> 00:30:22.339 your law, 00:30:22.740 --> 00:30:24.119 isn't it Jesus' law? 00:30:24.119 --> 00:30:26.479 but he's saying to them, 00:30:26.559 --> 00:30:28.019 he's pointing out to them 00:30:28.019 --> 00:30:29.000 that you have 00:30:29.000 --> 00:30:31.579 messed with the law, 00:30:31.699 --> 00:30:32.179 you've missed 00:30:32.179 --> 00:30:33.239 the whole point of it, 00:30:33.479 --> 00:30:34.759 and so your law 00:30:34.759 --> 00:30:37.399 is your understanding of it. 00:30:37.459 --> 00:30:39.099 You missed the crucial component 00:30:39.099 --> 00:30:40.179 that all of this 00:30:40.179 --> 00:30:41.559 is pointing to me. 00:30:42.539 --> 00:30:43.599 And you missed it. 00:30:44.659 --> 00:30:45.959 And you missed it 00:30:45.959 --> 00:30:48.459 real big. 00:30:48.559 --> 00:30:49.079 You missed it 00:30:49.079 --> 00:30:50.179 when it comes to the law, 00:30:50.180 --> 00:30:50.940 and you missed it 00:30:50.940 --> 00:30:52.500 when it comes to me 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:54.100 as I stand before you. 00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:56.000 You did not understand 00:30:56.000 --> 00:30:57.039 that. 00:30:57.620 --> 00:30:58.880 They memorized the law. 00:30:59.140 --> 00:31:00.200 They used it. 00:31:02.500 --> 00:31:03.400 And that's why 00:31:03.400 --> 00:31:04.560 they struggle so much 00:31:04.560 --> 00:31:05.900 when Jesus comes 00:31:05.900 --> 00:31:07.460 and he doesn't do 00:31:07.460 --> 00:31:09.420 what they want him to do. 00:31:09.680 --> 00:31:10.460 He doesn't 00:31:10.460 --> 00:31:12.200 join their club. 00:31:12.320 --> 00:31:12.640 Instead, 00:31:12.840 --> 00:31:14.560 he dines with people 00:31:14.560 --> 00:31:15.840 that they use the law 00:31:15.840 --> 00:31:16.840 to put down. 00:31:16.839 --> 00:31:20.379 He doesn't fit 00:31:20.379 --> 00:31:21.339 into their box. 00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:24.099 For to know Jesus 00:31:24.099 --> 00:31:25.819 is to know the Father. 00:31:26.379 --> 00:31:27.459 That's what Jesus 00:31:27.459 --> 00:31:28.439 is saying to them. 00:31:28.799 --> 00:31:30.619 And that makes them mad. 00:31:31.519 --> 00:31:32.679 That angers them. 00:31:33.519 --> 00:31:34.339 The actions, 00:31:34.539 --> 00:31:35.220 the signs, 00:31:35.379 --> 00:31:36.419 the clear statements, 00:31:36.579 --> 00:31:37.439 all of that 00:31:37.439 --> 00:31:38.899 is pointing to this fact 00:31:38.899 --> 00:31:39.419 that Jesus 00:31:39.419 --> 00:31:40.779 is the light of the world. 00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:42.740 And even he says it to them, 00:31:43.819 --> 00:31:44.519 they should be 00:31:44.519 --> 00:31:45.799 considering that statement, 00:31:45.980 --> 00:31:46.459 but instead, 00:31:46.460 --> 00:31:47.200 they're doing something 00:31:47.200 --> 00:31:47.880 very different. 00:31:48.140 --> 00:31:49.299 They're getting really technical 00:31:49.299 --> 00:31:50.299 and asking questions 00:31:50.299 --> 00:31:51.039 about do you have 00:31:51.039 --> 00:31:51.660 the authority 00:31:51.660 --> 00:31:53.539 to be a witness or not. 00:31:54.160 --> 00:31:55.660 They miss the Savior 00:31:55.660 --> 00:31:57.279 that stands before them. 00:32:00.079 --> 00:32:01.140 Jesus' words here 00:32:01.140 --> 00:32:02.539 challenge those 00:32:02.539 --> 00:32:04.380 who don't follow Jesus. 00:32:06.160 --> 00:32:07.940 The Pharisees saw 00:32:07.940 --> 00:32:09.180 with their own eyes, 00:32:09.579 --> 00:32:10.500 they heard him, 00:32:10.660 --> 00:32:11.660 but they couldn't 00:32:11.660 --> 00:32:12.740 recognize Jesus. 00:32:14.100 --> 00:32:15.279 What about your neighbor? 00:32:15.279 --> 00:32:17.240 He doesn't see Jesus. 00:32:17.379 --> 00:32:18.539 He doesn't talk to him. 00:32:19.579 --> 00:32:20.720 Yes, he has creation. 00:32:20.960 --> 00:32:22.160 There's some small glimpse 00:32:22.160 --> 00:32:22.619 of that. 00:32:23.460 --> 00:32:24.920 But it shows us 00:32:24.920 --> 00:32:26.119 that in the work 00:32:26.119 --> 00:32:26.859 of my neighbor 00:32:26.859 --> 00:32:28.399 or the guy 00:32:28.399 --> 00:32:29.519 I work with 00:32:29.519 --> 00:32:30.740 or the person 00:32:30.740 --> 00:32:32.399 I share a cubicle with 00:32:32.399 --> 00:32:34.180 or teach with 00:32:34.180 --> 00:32:35.180 in the classroom, 00:32:36.180 --> 00:32:37.599 they need 00:32:37.599 --> 00:32:39.399 to hear 00:32:39.399 --> 00:32:40.339 from Christ. 00:32:40.339 --> 00:32:40.419 Christ. 00:32:41.139 --> 00:32:42.199 They need 00:32:42.199 --> 00:32:42.939 the light 00:32:42.939 --> 00:32:44.159 that is opposed 00:32:44.159 --> 00:32:44.759 to darkness. 00:32:46.419 --> 00:32:47.859 They need Christ 00:32:47.859 --> 00:32:49.179 and they need you 00:32:49.179 --> 00:32:50.559 to bring it to him. 00:32:52.319 --> 00:32:54.059 They need you 00:32:54.059 --> 00:32:56.000 because God 00:32:56.000 --> 00:32:57.119 uses people 00:32:57.119 --> 00:32:58.099 like us 00:32:58.099 --> 00:32:59.299 to share 00:32:59.299 --> 00:32:59.939 the gospel, 00:33:00.139 --> 00:33:00.699 the light 00:33:00.699 --> 00:33:01.480 in the darkness. 00:33:01.480 --> 00:33:01.680 darkness. 00:33:04.279 --> 00:33:05.039 We heard 00:33:05.039 --> 00:33:05.620 from Jonathan 00:33:05.620 --> 00:33:07.079 all these practical 00:33:07.079 --> 00:33:07.920 things of how 00:33:07.920 --> 00:33:08.599 to do that. 00:33:09.019 --> 00:33:10.759 This is the theology 00:33:10.759 --> 00:33:11.740 behind that, 00:33:12.259 --> 00:33:13.240 that the light 00:33:13.240 --> 00:33:14.940 shines in the darkness 00:33:14.940 --> 00:33:16.500 and you need 00:33:16.500 --> 00:33:17.240 to shine it 00:33:17.240 --> 00:33:18.539 in the hearts 00:33:18.539 --> 00:33:19.960 of people 00:33:19.960 --> 00:33:20.819 around you. 00:33:20.819 --> 00:33:25.279 rather, 00:33:25.460 --> 00:33:26.079 we've become 00:33:26.079 --> 00:33:27.339 experts in the law 00:33:27.339 --> 00:33:28.319 about witness 00:33:28.319 --> 00:33:29.619 and testimony 00:33:29.619 --> 00:33:31.279 and we 00:33:31.279 --> 00:33:32.539 in our own hearts 00:33:32.539 --> 00:33:33.039 have kind of 00:33:33.039 --> 00:33:33.919 removed God 00:33:33.919 --> 00:33:34.619 from the picture. 00:33:35.700 --> 00:33:36.619 We think 00:33:36.619 --> 00:33:37.419 that we know 00:33:37.419 --> 00:33:39.579 but we miss 00:33:39.579 --> 00:33:40.079 Jesus 00:33:40.079 --> 00:33:40.859 often. 00:33:41.619 --> 00:33:42.460 If we 00:33:42.460 --> 00:33:43.379 really believe 00:33:43.379 --> 00:33:43.939 that Jesus 00:33:43.939 --> 00:33:44.839 is the light 00:33:44.839 --> 00:33:45.899 of the world 00:33:45.899 --> 00:33:48.259 and it dispels 00:33:48.259 --> 00:33:48.799 darkness, 00:33:49.299 --> 00:33:50.119 we cannot 00:33:50.119 --> 00:33:50.599 sit 00:33:50.599 --> 00:33:51.659 idly by 00:33:51.659 --> 00:33:52.719 as people 00:33:52.719 --> 00:33:53.339 stumble 00:33:53.339 --> 00:33:53.799 through the 00:33:53.799 --> 00:33:54.139 darkness. 00:33:56.279 --> 00:33:57.139 We need 00:33:57.139 --> 00:33:57.579 to think 00:33:57.579 --> 00:33:58.259 about that 00:33:58.259 --> 00:34:00.019 because often 00:34:00.019 --> 00:34:00.459 the way 00:34:00.459 --> 00:34:01.139 we live 00:34:01.139 --> 00:34:01.859 shows that 00:34:01.859 --> 00:34:02.480 we truly 00:34:02.480 --> 00:34:03.039 believe 00:34:03.039 --> 00:34:03.839 that light 00:34:03.839 --> 00:34:04.419 and darkness 00:34:04.419 --> 00:34:05.059 are not 00:34:05.059 --> 00:34:05.559 in as big 00:34:05.559 --> 00:34:06.059 a contrast 00:34:06.059 --> 00:34:06.519 as 00:34:06.519 --> 00:34:07.839 Jesus 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:08.259 says. 00:34:10.339 --> 00:34:11.619 We need 00:34:11.619 --> 00:34:12.539 to be the light 00:34:12.539 --> 00:34:13.279 in the darkness 00:34:13.279 --> 00:34:14.719 and do we 00:34:14.719 --> 00:34:15.579 live like 00:34:15.579 --> 00:34:16.480 we believe 00:34:16.480 --> 00:34:16.960 or are we 00:34:16.960 --> 00:34:17.739 majoring 00:34:17.739 --> 00:34:18.759 on the minors 00:34:18.759 --> 00:34:20.219 instead 00:34:20.219 --> 00:34:21.859 using God's 00:34:21.859 --> 00:34:22.439 word like 00:34:22.439 --> 00:34:23.539 the Pharisees 00:34:23.539 --> 00:34:24.299 to put 00:34:24.299 --> 00:34:25.179 people down 00:34:25.179 --> 00:34:26.739 and not 00:34:26.739 --> 00:34:27.679 holding forth 00:34:27.679 --> 00:34:28.279 the words 00:34:28.279 --> 00:34:28.839 of life 00:34:28.839 --> 00:34:29.379 as we 00:34:29.379 --> 00:34:29.919 see in 00:34:29.919 --> 00:34:30.439 the scriptures. 00:34:32.599 --> 00:34:33.480 Wherever that 00:34:33.480 --> 00:34:33.980 finds us 00:34:33.980 --> 00:34:34.500 this morning, 00:34:35.000 --> 00:34:35.619 Jesus is 00:34:35.619 --> 00:34:36.559 calling each 00:34:36.559 --> 00:34:37.019 of us 00:34:37.019 --> 00:34:37.459 in this 00:34:37.459 --> 00:34:38.000 claim 00:34:38.000 --> 00:34:39.199 with real 00:34:39.199 --> 00:34:40.079 authority 00:34:40.079 --> 00:34:41.319 to follow 00:34:41.319 --> 00:34:41.779 him, 00:34:42.179 --> 00:34:43.119 to follow 00:34:43.119 --> 00:34:44.299 after Christ 00:34:44.299 --> 00:34:45.480 because he 00:34:45.480 --> 00:34:46.159 is the light 00:34:46.159 --> 00:34:46.859 of the world 00:34:46.860 --> 00:34:48.320 that shines 00:34:48.320 --> 00:34:48.700 in the 00:34:48.700 --> 00:34:49.019 darkness. 00:34:49.920 --> 00:34:50.400 Let's pray. 00:34:57.400 --> 00:34:58.000 Lord, 00:34:58.059 --> 00:34:58.240 we are 00:34:58.240 --> 00:34:58.539 thankful 00:34:58.539 --> 00:34:59.200 this morning 00:34:59.200 --> 00:34:59.800 for you 00:34:59.800 --> 00:35:00.599 showing us 00:35:00.599 --> 00:35:01.099 who you 00:35:01.099 --> 00:35:01.620 are in 00:35:01.620 --> 00:35:02.079 your word. 00:35:02.460 --> 00:35:02.940 May you 00:35:02.940 --> 00:35:03.460 use your 00:35:03.460 --> 00:35:04.019 spirit 00:35:04.019 --> 00:35:05.280 to show 00:35:05.280 --> 00:35:05.720 us that 00:35:05.720 --> 00:35:06.300 you make 00:35:06.300 --> 00:35:07.160 these grand 00:35:07.160 --> 00:35:07.740 claims 00:35:07.740 --> 00:35:09.360 of being 00:35:09.360 --> 00:35:09.920 light in 00:35:09.920 --> 00:35:10.340 the darkness 00:35:10.340 --> 00:35:11.740 and may 00:35:11.740 --> 00:35:12.660 we delight 00:35:12.660 --> 00:35:13.019 in it. 00:35:13.200 --> 00:35:13.720 May we 00:35:13.720 --> 00:35:14.519 be prompted 00:35:14.519 --> 00:35:15.559 to bring 00:35:15.559 --> 00:35:16.100 our sin 00:35:16.100 --> 00:35:16.920 before you 00:35:16.920 --> 00:35:17.800 out of the 00:35:17.800 --> 00:35:18.100 darkness 00:35:18.100 --> 00:35:18.740 into the 00:35:18.740 --> 00:35:19.039 light. 00:35:20.000 --> 00:35:20.360 And Father, 00:35:20.480 --> 00:35:20.840 may we 00:35:20.840 --> 00:35:21.539 extend that 00:35:21.539 --> 00:35:22.120 light into 00:35:22.120 --> 00:35:22.680 the dark 00:35:22.680 --> 00:35:23.280 corners of 00:35:23.280 --> 00:35:23.780 this world. 00:35:24.360 --> 00:35:24.700 We pray 00:35:24.700 --> 00:35:25.120 this in 00:35:25.120 --> 00:35:25.360 Jesus' 00:35:25.539 --> 00:35:25.720 name. 00:35:26.059 --> 00:35:26.260 Amen. 00:35:25.980 --> 00:35:26.280 Amen. 00:35:26.280 --> 00:35:27.280 Amen.