WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.480 Well, good morning, church. 00:00:04.440 --> 00:00:07.200 If you have a Bible, turn with me to John chapter 7. 00:00:08.519 --> 00:00:12.280 Last week, Pastor Matt mentioned that the chapters in John were getting longer and longer, 00:00:12.500 --> 00:00:14.960 so today we've decided to do two chapters instead of one. 00:00:16.559 --> 00:00:22.559 So I won't read every word, but we will cover the main themes of these two chapters, John 00:00:22.559 --> 00:00:26.660 7 and 8, that focus on Jesus teaching at the Feast of Tabernacles. 00:00:27.039 --> 00:00:29.679 Let's pray as we prepare to look into God's Word. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:36.619 Father God, thank you for the gift of your Word. 00:00:37.340 --> 00:00:43.600 Thank you for those who have preserved it over the years, who have copied it for 2,000 years 00:00:43.600 --> 00:00:49.859 now, who have translated it into our language, who have printed it, broadcasted it online 00:00:49.859 --> 00:00:52.500 that we can read it and access it so easily. 00:00:53.000 --> 00:00:56.939 Lord, we take this for granted so many times, and yet we thank you. 00:00:57.579 --> 00:01:02.199 We thank you for this wonderful gift, for the precious gift of your Word, and Lord, for 00:01:02.199 --> 00:01:02.920 your Holy Spirit. 00:01:03.500 --> 00:01:10.759 We pray that your Holy Spirit would help us as we read your Word this morning, as we seek 00:01:10.759 --> 00:01:11.900 to take its message to heart. 00:01:12.759 --> 00:01:16.920 Lord, would you be transforming us and drawing us to yourself through it? 00:01:17.019 --> 00:01:18.079 We pray in Jesus' name. 00:01:18.500 --> 00:01:18.759 Amen. 00:01:18.760 --> 00:01:18.880 Amen. 00:01:20.440 --> 00:01:26.540 So this past winter, I've spent a handful of afternoons hiking on the north end of West 00:01:26.540 --> 00:01:26.880 Rock. 00:01:27.400 --> 00:01:28.580 I don't know if you've been up there. 00:01:29.359 --> 00:01:33.780 It's only about a 20-minute drive from downtown New Haven, but it's about as quiet and secluded 00:01:33.780 --> 00:01:40.800 as you can find within that radius, especially when the ground is frozen and the trees are 00:01:40.800 --> 00:01:41.100 bare. 00:01:41.099 --> 00:01:48.019 And this winter, I've found the windswept ridge, the snow-covered trails, and the large 00:01:48.019 --> 00:01:53.759 boulders to be a helpful place to think and pray, to reflect and process. 00:01:54.419 --> 00:02:00.199 On the one hand, the environment feels harsh, unaccommodating, unsuited to my desires for 00:02:00.199 --> 00:02:01.639 comfort and ease. 00:02:02.299 --> 00:02:05.599 The trees are barren, the wind is cold, the ground seems lifeless. 00:02:05.679 --> 00:02:07.739 I wouldn't want to be out there alone at night. 00:02:07.739 --> 00:02:13.719 But in the midst of the wilderness, there are still signs of God's presence and God's 00:02:13.719 --> 00:02:14.280 providence. 00:02:15.180 --> 00:02:20.680 The trees lift their branches toward the heavens, silently acknowledging their creator. 00:02:21.599 --> 00:02:26.039 The sun sheds bright light on the rocky paths, unhindered by leaves. 00:02:26.840 --> 00:02:32.240 A herd of deer, strong and determined, advance quickly across their path. 00:02:33.479 --> 00:02:37.719 Brooks gurgle with fresh water underneath the snow, and recently the crocuses have begun 00:02:37.719 --> 00:02:40.359 to emerge, and the trees have begun to bud. 00:02:40.460 --> 00:02:46.259 I've been reminded on my hikes this winter that God is present in the wilderness, both 00:02:46.259 --> 00:02:47.680 literally and figuratively. 00:02:48.740 --> 00:02:55.379 For many of us, this past year has had its share of harshness, coldness, barrenness, aloneness, 00:02:55.599 --> 00:02:58.479 but in the midst of the wilderness, God is there. 00:02:58.479 --> 00:03:04.179 Sustaining us, sustaining us often in ways we can't initially see underneath the surface, 00:03:04.419 --> 00:03:09.239 and calling us to deeper levels of trust and dependence on Him. 00:03:10.280 --> 00:03:16.079 And this theme of God's presence in the wilderness stands behind these two chapters that we're 00:03:16.079 --> 00:03:17.139 looking at this morning. 00:03:18.219 --> 00:03:23.379 John 7 and 8 focus on Jesus' teachings at the Feast of Tabernacles, or the ESV translates 00:03:23.379 --> 00:03:24.500 it, the Feast of Booths. 00:03:24.500 --> 00:03:27.759 Verse 2 says the Jewish Feast of Booths was at hand. 00:03:28.639 --> 00:03:30.340 Verse 10, Jesus went up to the feast. 00:03:30.460 --> 00:03:34.139 Verse 14, He started teaching in the temple in the middle of the feast. 00:03:34.379 --> 00:03:39.860 And verse 37, Jesus speaks on the final day at the climax of the feast. 00:03:39.939 --> 00:03:43.300 Now, what was this Feast of Booths or Tabernacles about? 00:03:43.960 --> 00:03:47.560 Well, it was all about God's presence with His people in the wilderness. 00:03:47.560 --> 00:03:54.560 It looked back to the time after the children of Israel had left Egypt, and after they had 00:03:54.560 --> 00:03:59.819 received God's law at Mount Sinai, and during their long sojourn, their 40-year-long journey 00:03:59.819 --> 00:04:00.879 through the wilderness. 00:04:01.400 --> 00:04:07.620 It was looking back to God's provision for them throughout those long years. 00:04:08.080 --> 00:04:12.539 And so everybody camped out for a whole week in tabernacles or booths. 00:04:12.539 --> 00:04:19.399 That is, makeshift structures of branches and leaves reenacting how they had lived in 00:04:19.399 --> 00:04:23.539 temporary shelters throughout their sojourn in the wilderness. 00:04:24.560 --> 00:04:30.180 In the Jewish calendar, there were actually three annual feasts that brought large numbers 00:04:30.180 --> 00:04:31.800 of pilgrims to come to Jerusalem. 00:04:31.959 --> 00:04:35.879 In fact, all the heads of households were supposed to come to Jerusalem, according to the Old 00:04:35.879 --> 00:04:37.319 Testament law, three times a year. 00:04:37.319 --> 00:04:41.639 So in the spring, it was the Passover feast, which celebrated the exodus from Egypt. 00:04:41.819 --> 00:04:46.620 In the early summer, it was Pentecost, which looked back, among other things, to the giving 00:04:46.620 --> 00:04:47.219 of the law. 00:04:47.519 --> 00:04:53.319 And then in the fall was the Feast of Tabernacles, which was the largest, the most popular feast, 00:04:53.379 --> 00:04:58.819 and the most joyful feast, which also came at the harvest time after the grapes and olives 00:04:58.819 --> 00:05:00.279 and fruit had been harvested. 00:05:00.420 --> 00:05:02.300 So there was all kinds of things to eat. 00:05:03.000 --> 00:05:05.939 It was a very joyful season. 00:05:05.939 --> 00:05:11.279 There was music and dancing, feasting and laughter that lasted late into the night. 00:05:11.660 --> 00:05:15.680 So it wasn't looking back on the wilderness only in sort of a somber way, but looking back 00:05:15.680 --> 00:05:20.560 in a joyful way at how God had met them and cared for them and walked with them and brought 00:05:20.560 --> 00:05:21.079 them through. 00:05:21.519 --> 00:05:28.079 And what we'll see in these chapters is that Jesus claims to be the fulfillment or the embodiment 00:05:28.079 --> 00:05:32.060 of all that the Feast of Tabernacles represented. 00:05:32.060 --> 00:05:36.740 Of all that it celebrated, Jesus was the reality. 00:05:38.300 --> 00:05:43.459 And so Jesus claims to be God himself present with his people in the wilderness. 00:05:44.240 --> 00:05:48.660 Now, these two chapters, if you look at these two chapters of John, they've got a lot of 00:05:48.660 --> 00:05:49.660 back and forth dialogue. 00:05:49.920 --> 00:05:51.800 And it's basically three groups of people. 00:05:51.920 --> 00:05:53.279 Jesus, number one. 00:05:53.579 --> 00:05:57.620 Number two, the religious leaders, who are sometimes called the Pharisees or sometimes 00:05:57.620 --> 00:06:02.759 simply called the Jews, but that refers particularly to the religious leaders of the time and also 00:06:02.759 --> 00:06:07.319 the people who are sometimes referred to as the crowds, sort of who are not in official 00:06:07.319 --> 00:06:10.819 positions of religious leadership, but who have their own opinions as well. 00:06:11.340 --> 00:06:14.959 So there's a lot of back and forth between these three groups of people, but I want to 00:06:14.959 --> 00:06:19.579 focus our attention on three key claims that Jesus makes about himself. 00:06:20.420 --> 00:06:26.019 And of course, each of these claims sort of provokes a response, a response from the other 00:06:26.019 --> 00:06:26.500 parties. 00:06:27.019 --> 00:06:32.120 But the first claim Jesus makes is in verse 37 to 39 of chapter 7, where he claims to 00:06:32.120 --> 00:06:33.500 be water from the rock. 00:06:34.099 --> 00:06:39.039 The second claim is in chapter 8, verse 12, where he claims to be light for the path. 00:06:39.180 --> 00:06:44.339 And the third claim is in chapter 8, verse 31, where he claims to be freedom from bondage. 00:06:44.339 --> 00:06:48.719 So water from the rock, light for the path, and freedom from bondage. 00:06:48.859 --> 00:06:52.699 We'll see how all of these three things were part of what they were celebrating during the 00:06:52.699 --> 00:06:56.740 Feast of Tabernacles, and how Jesus claims to be the fulfillment of those things. 00:06:57.240 --> 00:07:01.399 And then we'll also consider, as we look at the response, various responses from Jesus 00:07:01.399 --> 00:07:04.680 here, we'll consider our own response to each of those claims. 00:07:05.399 --> 00:07:12.459 So first, starting in John chapter 7, verse 37, Jesus claims to be water from the rock. 00:07:13.240 --> 00:07:17.719 Now, some of you might say, well, how can you preach on a chapter and skip 36 verses? 00:07:17.720 --> 00:07:20.920 This is what happens in the first 36 verses of chapter 7. 00:07:21.000 --> 00:07:23.260 Well, very briefly, the tension builds. 00:07:24.440 --> 00:07:28.600 Verse 1 to 9, Jesus and his brothers are discussing, is he going up to the feast or not? 00:07:28.660 --> 00:07:29.660 And why is he going up? 00:07:29.680 --> 00:07:30.700 Or why is he not going up? 00:07:30.940 --> 00:07:31.860 They have that discussion. 00:07:32.020 --> 00:07:35.080 Verse 10, Jesus goes, not with them, but privately. 00:07:35.760 --> 00:07:42.340 Verse 11 and 12, we see that there's already some conflicting assumptions or opinions about 00:07:42.340 --> 00:07:43.060 who Jesus is. 00:07:43.120 --> 00:07:45.660 So verse 12, some people said he's a good man. 00:07:45.660 --> 00:07:48.100 One, others said he's leading the people astray. 00:07:48.920 --> 00:07:54.100 So even before Jesus says anything, we see that there are some divided verdicts out there 00:07:54.100 --> 00:07:56.180 or divided initial opinions. 00:07:56.340 --> 00:08:02.280 Verse 14 to 24, Jesus challenges his hearers to basically sincerely seek the truth about 00:08:02.280 --> 00:08:03.300 who he is. 00:08:04.000 --> 00:08:08.900 Verse 24, he says, don't just judge by appearances, but make a right judgment. 00:08:09.780 --> 00:08:14.660 And he's really challenging them to make a right judgment about who he is and who he claims 00:08:14.660 --> 00:08:15.000 to be. 00:08:15.100 --> 00:08:18.820 Verse 25 to 36, we see again the divided response of the people. 00:08:19.160 --> 00:08:20.700 Verse 30, someone who arrest him. 00:08:20.760 --> 00:08:22.880 Verse 31, but many of the people believed in him. 00:08:23.660 --> 00:08:25.180 So the tension is building. 00:08:25.600 --> 00:08:31.560 And finally, in verse 37, we see Jesus' first explicit, direct claim about who he is. 00:08:32.100 --> 00:08:38.360 Verse 37, on the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, 00:08:38.360 --> 00:08:42.300 if anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 00:08:43.539 --> 00:08:48.539 Whoever believes in me, as the scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of 00:08:48.539 --> 00:08:49.120 living water. 00:08:49.879 --> 00:08:54.720 Now this he said about the spirit whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as 00:08:54.720 --> 00:08:58.940 yet the spirit had not been given because Jesus was not yet glorified. 00:09:00.180 --> 00:09:02.659 Now what does this have to do with the feast of tabernacles? 00:09:02.659 --> 00:09:06.899 Well, when the people of Israel were journeying through the wilderness, you can find in Exodus 00:09:06.899 --> 00:09:13.719 17 and Numbers 20, they got thirsty and God provided for them water from a rock. 00:09:14.480 --> 00:09:20.399 And every year they celebrated God's provision of water in the wilderness during the feast 00:09:20.399 --> 00:09:21.139 of tabernacles. 00:09:21.259 --> 00:09:26.279 In fact, they had a ceremony every day which specifically focused on this gift of God. 00:09:26.279 --> 00:09:32.879 So every day, and seven times on the seventh day, the last great day of the feast, a priest 00:09:32.879 --> 00:09:38.179 would fill a golden pitcher with water from the spring in Jerusalem, and a choir would sing 00:09:38.179 --> 00:09:43.039 the words that we heard read earlier from Isaiah 12, with joy you will draw water from the wells 00:09:43.039 --> 00:09:43.699 of salvation. 00:09:45.000 --> 00:09:51.699 And then the priest would process with the golden pitcher of water up to the temple, followed 00:09:51.699 --> 00:09:53.679 by a huge crowd. 00:09:53.679 --> 00:09:57.000 It was sort of a huge parade that happened every day of this feast. 00:09:57.099 --> 00:10:02.479 People would be waving palm branches, singing psalms, trumpets would sound, and when they 00:10:02.479 --> 00:10:06.319 got to the temple, the priest would pour out the water on the altar, and the people would 00:10:06.319 --> 00:10:08.139 sing and rejoice. 00:10:09.519 --> 00:10:14.279 And you know, it wasn't just a celebration looking back to how God had provided water in the past. 00:10:14.379 --> 00:10:18.859 It was also looking forward to what God had promised to do in the future. 00:10:18.860 --> 00:10:24.120 Because if you read the Old Testament prophets, they don't only look back to God's provision 00:10:24.120 --> 00:10:25.180 of water from the rock. 00:10:25.279 --> 00:10:31.600 They also look forward to a day when God would pour out his life-giving spirit like streams 00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:33.100 in the desert. 00:10:34.460 --> 00:10:39.800 Ezekiel and Zechariah prophesied that one day a stream of living water would flow out from 00:10:39.800 --> 00:10:43.600 the temple in Jerusalem into the whole world, bringing life. 00:10:43.600 --> 00:10:50.379 And so the Feast of Tabernacles was looking forward to that future promise of the Holy 00:10:50.379 --> 00:10:58.060 Spirit being poured out and the life of God spreading throughout the world. 00:10:58.920 --> 00:11:06.120 And so when Jesus stood up on that last and greatest day of the feast, look at what he's 00:11:06.120 --> 00:11:06.460 saying. 00:11:06.460 --> 00:11:12.120 He's saying that time has come that the prophets have foretold. 00:11:13.080 --> 00:11:17.220 I'm the rock from which the life-giving water flows. 00:11:18.680 --> 00:11:23.060 And the water will flow not just in Jerusalem, but into all the world. 00:11:24.100 --> 00:11:28.560 That life-giving water is the Spirit of God, which everyone who believes in me will receive. 00:11:29.600 --> 00:11:34.420 He's saying, I'm the fulfillment, the embodiment of all that you're celebrating and all that you're 00:11:34.420 --> 00:11:35.700 longing for at this feast. 00:11:36.460 --> 00:11:42.900 Now, verses 40 to 52, we see that once again, the people's response is divided. 00:11:43.040 --> 00:11:45.280 Both the people and the leaders are divided. 00:11:46.340 --> 00:11:47.720 Some of the people say he's the prophet. 00:11:48.259 --> 00:11:49.340 Some say he's the Messiah. 00:11:49.759 --> 00:11:50.820 Others say he was neither. 00:11:51.780 --> 00:11:56.060 The chief priests and Pharisees want to arrest him, but the officers are impressed by how he 00:11:56.060 --> 00:11:56.340 spoke. 00:11:56.460 --> 00:12:01.379 And Nicodemus pipes up and said, at least give him a hearing and learn what he does before 00:12:01.379 --> 00:12:02.420 you render your verdict. 00:12:02.580 --> 00:12:04.580 In other words, the response is inconclusive. 00:12:04.580 --> 00:12:06.560 The jury is still out. 00:12:08.400 --> 00:12:13.259 But before we go on to Jesus' second claim, let's consider the invitation that Jesus gives 00:12:13.259 --> 00:12:15.340 us and how we're responding to that. 00:12:16.139 --> 00:12:18.180 Look at the invitation in verse 37. 00:12:18.340 --> 00:12:22.780 Jesus says, if you're thirsty, come to me and drink. 00:12:22.779 --> 00:12:26.659 Now, Jesus gave a very similar invitation last week. 00:12:26.759 --> 00:12:28.459 Pastor Matt communicated that. 00:12:28.839 --> 00:12:30.500 But it's worth saying it again. 00:12:30.500 --> 00:12:38.759 If you're longing for more than what this world can give, have you come to Jesus and tasted 00:12:38.759 --> 00:12:39.779 what he has to offer? 00:12:41.059 --> 00:12:47.700 If you're dissatisfied with yourself, if you find yourself anxiously striving but still feeling 00:12:47.700 --> 00:12:52.820 empty and unresolved inside, have you come to Jesus and asked him to fill you? 00:12:52.820 --> 00:13:00.879 Or if you find yourself gravitating towards unhealthy attachments, feeding on things that aren't good 00:13:00.879 --> 00:13:07.300 for your soul, overindulging in things that don't ultimately satisfy, have you responded to Jesus' 00:13:07.460 --> 00:13:10.900 invitation to come to him and drink of the water of life? 00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:14.480 That's what Jesus promises here. 00:13:14.540 --> 00:13:18.740 He speaks into the wilderness of this world, into the wilderness of our souls, and he offers 00:13:18.740 --> 00:13:21.740 something far more satisfying, the water of life. 00:13:24.080 --> 00:13:28.639 Now, that brings us to Jesus' second major claim, chapter 8, verse 12. 00:13:29.860 --> 00:13:33.419 Now, I'm going to pass over the story in 753 to 811. 00:13:33.919 --> 00:13:38.379 As probably most Bibles note, the earliest manuscripts don't include these verses. 00:13:38.620 --> 00:13:42.980 But if you're wondering where that story came from and what we should do with it, I wrote a little 00:13:42.980 --> 00:13:47.019 article that was included in the weekly email this week that answers some of those textual 00:13:47.019 --> 00:13:48.460 criticism questions. 00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:55.399 It gets a little technical, but feel free to read that if you would like to dig into that. 00:13:55.939 --> 00:14:01.059 But for now, I'm just going to pass on to Jesus' second major claim in chapter 8, verse 12, 00:14:01.559 --> 00:14:06.259 where he says, again, Jesus spoke to them saying, 00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:09.279 I am the light of the world. 00:14:10.379 --> 00:14:15.799 Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. 00:14:17.019 --> 00:14:21.759 Now, again, you might ask, how does this claim of Jesus to be the light, how does that connect 00:14:21.759 --> 00:14:22.819 to the Feast of Tabernacles? 00:14:22.960 --> 00:14:28.279 Well, again, Exodus 13 tells how the Israelites, when God led them through the wilderness, how 00:14:28.279 --> 00:14:28.919 did he lead them? 00:14:28.960 --> 00:14:34.079 With a pillar of fire, with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. 00:14:35.679 --> 00:14:36.079 Right? 00:14:36.159 --> 00:14:38.980 He provided light for the path. 00:14:39.620 --> 00:14:44.419 And once again, this particular provision of God was dramatically reenacted and celebrated 00:14:44.419 --> 00:14:46.500 during the Feast of Tabernacles every year. 00:14:46.579 --> 00:14:47.379 So here's what they did. 00:14:48.099 --> 00:14:53.459 In the courtyard of the temple, they would set up four massive oil lamps. 00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:59.120 A tradition from the Jewish Mishnah says they were 75 feet tall, supported by a network of 00:14:59.120 --> 00:15:01.059 ladders and sort of pillars. 00:15:01.319 --> 00:15:07.659 They were basically massive pillars with huge golden bowls on top, which would be filled with 00:15:07.659 --> 00:15:09.240 gallons and gallons of oil. 00:15:09.240 --> 00:15:12.539 They would use old clothing for massive wicks. 00:15:12.919 --> 00:15:17.779 And every evening, these oil lamps would be set ablaze and kept burning all through the 00:15:17.779 --> 00:15:18.100 night. 00:15:19.340 --> 00:15:22.960 Now, the temple is at the highest point of the city of Jerusalem. 00:15:24.060 --> 00:15:28.899 And so when it got dark, the light from the temple would shed its glow over the whole city. 00:15:29.919 --> 00:15:33.060 And people would sing and dance in the temple all through the night. 00:15:33.059 --> 00:15:39.419 The Feast of Tabernacles was, there was an all-night party every night in the temple, celebrating 00:15:39.419 --> 00:15:41.359 God's provision of light. 00:15:42.659 --> 00:15:46.519 And again, they weren't just looking back on how God led the people of Israel through the 00:15:46.519 --> 00:15:49.959 wilderness with the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. 00:15:50.079 --> 00:15:53.379 They were also anticipating what God had promised to do in the future. 00:15:54.039 --> 00:15:58.699 Because again, the Old Testament prophets look forward to a day when the light would triumph 00:15:58.699 --> 00:16:00.879 over the darkness once and for all. 00:16:00.879 --> 00:16:08.600 Isaiah 49, God said to the people of Israel, I will make you a light for the nations that 00:16:08.600 --> 00:16:12.879 my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. 00:16:14.220 --> 00:16:16.539 Or Zechariah 14 has an interesting prophecy. 00:16:16.720 --> 00:16:20.700 It spoke of a day when the Lord would be king over all the earth. 00:16:21.539 --> 00:16:26.899 And it describes that day as a unique day when living water would flow out from Jerusalem. 00:16:26.899 --> 00:16:28.100 Again, that water theme. 00:16:28.100 --> 00:16:32.320 And then it also says when evening comes, there will be light. 00:16:32.920 --> 00:16:35.560 It won't be morning and evening like usual. 00:16:35.740 --> 00:16:36.980 The light will continue. 00:16:38.920 --> 00:16:45.180 And so when Jesus stood in those very temple courts, verse 20 says that's where he was, 00:16:45.500 --> 00:16:50.040 where those big lamps were set up, where those big lamps were set ablaze every night. 00:16:50.039 --> 00:16:52.179 And Jesus said, I'm the light of the world. 00:16:53.279 --> 00:16:57.360 If you follow me, you won't walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life. 00:16:58.399 --> 00:17:01.500 He's saying, I'm the fulfillment of all that you're celebrating here. 00:17:02.419 --> 00:17:05.639 I'm the true light blazing for all the world to see. 00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:10.879 Now, once again, look at the people's responses. 00:17:10.880 --> 00:17:13.480 And it's again, divided. 00:17:14.160 --> 00:17:17.200 Verse 13, the Pharisees immediately respond negatively. 00:17:17.780 --> 00:17:21.000 They begin contradicting Jesus, cross-examining Jesus. 00:17:21.200 --> 00:17:24.400 But then in verse 30, it says that many believed in him. 00:17:25.520 --> 00:17:27.440 So again, it's a divided response. 00:17:27.960 --> 00:17:30.600 And so again, it challenges us to consider how are we responding? 00:17:30.760 --> 00:17:32.040 What is Jesus inviting us to? 00:17:32.100 --> 00:17:33.800 And how are we responding to his invitation? 00:17:35.480 --> 00:17:36.420 What's the invitation? 00:17:36.420 --> 00:17:41.660 Jesus says, whoever follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life. 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:44.820 He's not only inviting us to come to him, but to follow him. 00:17:45.800 --> 00:17:54.340 To let his light, the light of his teaching and his word and his presence guide our path through this world. 00:17:56.120 --> 00:17:56.940 You know, think about it. 00:17:56.940 --> 00:18:03.860 Every other week of the year, if you were walking around Jerusalem at night, you'd be walking in the darkness. 00:18:03.859 --> 00:18:11.559 But during the Feast of Tabernacles, when those lights were burning in the temple, the whole city would look different. 00:18:13.059 --> 00:18:17.359 The glow would be visible even from far away. 00:18:18.659 --> 00:18:23.979 And Jesus is saying to us, I am the light that will make your whole world look different. 00:18:23.980 --> 00:18:34.519 And just as God guided the Israelites through the wilderness with a pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, 00:18:34.640 --> 00:18:39.860 I'm here to guide and walk with you through the wilderness of this world. 00:18:40.440 --> 00:18:45.500 No matter how dark the world may get, no matter how dark your own heart may be, 00:18:46.279 --> 00:18:49.640 I am here to shine light upon your path. 00:18:49.640 --> 00:18:56.620 So the challenge is, are we walking in the light of Jesus? 00:18:56.860 --> 00:19:01.280 Are we letting his word and his teaching guide us? 00:19:01.820 --> 00:19:06.540 Instead of trying to just blaze our own trail and figure it all out on our own. 00:19:07.600 --> 00:19:10.860 Are we looking to him as the light of life? 00:19:10.859 --> 00:19:14.740 So Jesus claims to be water from the rock. 00:19:14.839 --> 00:19:17.399 He claims to be light for the path. 00:19:17.579 --> 00:19:24.759 And third, starting in verse 31, Jesus claims to bring freedom from bondage. 00:19:26.039 --> 00:19:28.879 Verse 31, Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, 00:19:28.879 --> 00:19:33.779 If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples. 00:19:34.879 --> 00:19:38.500 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. 00:19:38.500 --> 00:19:43.339 They answered him, We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. 00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:45.440 How is it that you say you will become free? 00:19:47.119 --> 00:19:52.119 Jesus answered them, Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 00:19:53.259 --> 00:19:55.480 The slave does not remain in the house forever. 00:19:55.599 --> 00:19:57.259 The son remains forever. 00:19:57.420 --> 00:20:01.940 So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 00:20:01.940 --> 00:20:09.360 Now once again, you might ask, How is this claim to be freedom from bondage? 00:20:09.380 --> 00:20:11.279 How is that connected to the Feast of Tabernacles? 00:20:11.420 --> 00:20:14.400 Well again, the feast was all about celebrating freedom. 00:20:15.140 --> 00:20:18.080 God had set the children of Israel free from bondage in Egypt. 00:20:18.620 --> 00:20:22.180 He had given them his law so they would continue in that freedom. 00:20:22.180 --> 00:20:29.440 So that they would be a distinctive people devoted to loving God above all else and loving their neighbors as themselves. 00:20:29.580 --> 00:20:33.759 And God brought them into the promised land where they were enjoying his abundant blessings. 00:20:35.759 --> 00:20:38.100 But of course, over the long history of Israel, 00:20:39.100 --> 00:20:46.840 the people had repeatedly failed to continue living in that freedom that God had purchased for them. 00:20:46.839 --> 00:20:52.899 They turned back to idols, which always enslave. 00:20:53.839 --> 00:21:00.019 They took advantage of one another, even to the point of actually enslaving one another, 00:21:00.139 --> 00:21:05.039 which was one of the specific things that God said they were not allowed to do. 00:21:07.399 --> 00:21:09.240 They defiled the land. 00:21:10.079 --> 00:21:12.500 And eventually God gave them into the hands of their enemies. 00:21:13.299 --> 00:21:14.859 They were sent into exile. 00:21:14.859 --> 00:21:18.039 And their freedom was never fully restored. 00:21:19.859 --> 00:21:22.199 But again, the prophets looked forward to a day 00:21:22.199 --> 00:21:27.219 when God would bring a greater liberation, a greater redemption. 00:21:27.859 --> 00:21:33.259 When he would set them free in a deeper and more lasting way than ever before. 00:21:34.459 --> 00:21:36.500 When he would wipe away their sins 00:21:36.500 --> 00:21:39.219 and establish his kingdom among them. 00:21:40.919 --> 00:21:44.819 And so when Jesus stands during the Feast of Tabernacles and says, 00:21:44.859 --> 00:21:48.819 if the Son sets you free, you'll be free indeed. 00:21:50.119 --> 00:21:52.859 He's saying, I'm here as your true liberator. 00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:57.279 I'm the one who can set you free from bondage to sin, 00:21:57.359 --> 00:22:02.299 the deepest and most difficult kind of bondage to be released from. 00:22:02.299 --> 00:22:09.399 I can set you free from the tyranny of sin truly and forever. 00:22:09.639 --> 00:22:15.619 I'm the Son who has the authority to give you a permanent place in God's family. 00:22:17.059 --> 00:22:22.740 I'm the fulfillment of all that you're celebrating and longing and hoping for in this feast. 00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:28.339 Now when we look at people's response to Jesus after his third claim, 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:31.559 the response is actually no longer divided. 00:22:32.839 --> 00:22:34.880 It is simply hostile. 00:22:36.160 --> 00:22:38.960 The leaders, in particular, we don't hear from the people anymore, 00:22:39.079 --> 00:22:43.220 but the leaders are offended by the idea that Jesus has come to set them free 00:22:43.220 --> 00:22:48.579 because that implies that they're currently in some kind of spiritual bondage. 00:22:49.940 --> 00:22:53.720 And so the disagreement intensifies throughout the rest of the chapter 00:22:53.720 --> 00:22:59.519 until finally in verse 59 the religious leaders pick up stones to throw at him. 00:23:00.259 --> 00:23:05.019 In other words, they have arrived at their verdict 00:23:05.019 --> 00:23:09.839 that Jesus was guilty of blasphemy and deserving of death. 00:23:12.220 --> 00:23:17.519 Now in all the responses of the people and the leaders to Jesus' words 00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:21.119 throughout these two chapters, there's one thing that's abundantly clear. 00:23:22.579 --> 00:23:27.639 No one can simply remain neutral about Jesus. 00:23:29.740 --> 00:23:32.839 See, every successive claim that Jesus makes 00:23:32.839 --> 00:23:36.539 pushes people in one direction or the other. 00:23:37.679 --> 00:23:39.939 People either draw closer to him, 00:23:40.799 --> 00:23:42.039 come to him, 00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:43.299 follow him, 00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:44.359 stay with him, 00:23:44.459 --> 00:23:45.579 listen to him more carefully, 00:23:45.740 --> 00:23:49.079 find him more attractive and life-giving and precious than ever before, 00:23:49.159 --> 00:23:52.559 or they move further and further away from him, 00:23:52.819 --> 00:23:54.439 becoming even more hardened 00:23:54.439 --> 00:23:56.480 and obstinate and hostile 00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:58.199 in their rejection of him 00:23:58.199 --> 00:24:00.740 and their refusal to take his words to heart. 00:24:02.839 --> 00:24:08.699 No one can stay comfortably in the middle. 00:24:10.099 --> 00:24:11.819 And this is still true today. 00:24:13.079 --> 00:24:15.939 Every word of Jesus that we encounter 00:24:15.939 --> 00:24:22.279 and also every season of our lives that God in his providence brings us into 00:24:22.279 --> 00:24:27.220 pushes us to go in one direction or the other. 00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:30.460 Either to draw nearer to Jesus 00:24:30.460 --> 00:24:34.100 or to distance ourselves 00:24:34.100 --> 00:24:36.180 and go further away. 00:24:37.319 --> 00:24:39.259 You see, the religious leaders were offended 00:24:39.259 --> 00:24:42.900 by the idea that they were in a state of spiritual bondage. 00:24:44.480 --> 00:24:47.740 And, you know, they're not the only ones who are offended by this idea. 00:24:47.819 --> 00:24:49.059 The idea that we are sinners 00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:51.079 who desperately need a Savior 00:24:51.079 --> 00:24:53.579 is offensive to every human being's pride. 00:24:53.579 --> 00:24:55.539 I mean, how many of us 00:24:55.539 --> 00:24:57.519 naturally respond gladly 00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:59.079 and with gratitude 00:24:59.079 --> 00:25:00.399 if someone says to us, 00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:02.000 you are deeply flawed and sinful 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:03.779 and you really need a lot of help? 00:25:06.359 --> 00:25:09.419 None of us naturally respond well to a statement like that. 00:25:11.439 --> 00:25:13.259 But it's only by acknowledging 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:14.720 that deep down 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:16.379 we are sinners 00:25:16.380 --> 00:25:20.820 that we can know the security of Jesus' forgiveness 00:25:20.820 --> 00:25:22.220 and love for us 00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:23.920 deep down. 00:25:26.080 --> 00:25:28.320 And it's only by continuing to acknowledge 00:25:28.320 --> 00:25:30.320 specific ways that we fall short, 00:25:30.480 --> 00:25:33.060 specific idols that our hearts are still prone 00:25:33.060 --> 00:25:34.700 to attach ourselves to, 00:25:35.440 --> 00:25:38.180 that we can enjoy an ever-increasing freedom 00:25:38.180 --> 00:25:40.980 from those particular sins and weaknesses 00:25:40.980 --> 00:25:43.020 that have plagued us in the past. 00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:46.180 You see, the invitation Jesus gives 00:25:46.180 --> 00:25:47.180 in this third section 00:25:47.180 --> 00:25:49.279 is not just to come to Him initially, 00:25:49.980 --> 00:25:51.500 not just to believe in Him 00:25:51.500 --> 00:25:52.680 for the very first time, 00:25:52.799 --> 00:25:54.920 but to abide in His Word. 00:25:55.160 --> 00:25:56.940 And that word abide means stay 00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:58.259 or continue 00:25:58.259 --> 00:25:59.019 or remain. 00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:01.980 Jesus is calling us 00:26:01.980 --> 00:26:04.079 to stay with Him 00:26:04.079 --> 00:26:07.299 through good times 00:26:07.299 --> 00:26:08.660 and through bad times, 00:26:08.819 --> 00:26:10.359 when His words comfort us 00:26:10.359 --> 00:26:12.240 and when His words challenge us. 00:26:12.240 --> 00:26:14.079 But as we abide with Him, 00:26:14.140 --> 00:26:15.460 His promise is that we 00:26:15.460 --> 00:26:16.240 will experience 00:26:16.900 --> 00:26:18.240 an ever-increasing freedom, 00:26:19.960 --> 00:26:21.700 an ever-increasing knowledge 00:26:21.700 --> 00:26:23.519 of the truth that sets us free. 00:26:26.400 --> 00:26:27.839 As you reflect back 00:26:27.839 --> 00:26:29.400 on this past year, 00:26:30.620 --> 00:26:32.620 what direction has it pushed you in? 00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:36.539 Has it hardened your heart? 00:26:38.160 --> 00:26:40.019 Or has it made you more loving? 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:45.039 Have you pushed Jesus to the side 00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:46.500 or withdrawn from Him? 00:26:47.339 --> 00:26:48.700 Or do you cling to Him 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:50.240 more tightly than ever before? 00:26:52.420 --> 00:26:54.299 Jesus is God, 00:26:54.879 --> 00:26:57.460 present with us in the wilderness. 00:26:59.119 --> 00:27:00.900 He's the water from the rock. 00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:04.000 Come to Him and drink. 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:06.880 He's the light for our path. 00:27:08.259 --> 00:27:08.859 Follow Him 00:27:08.859 --> 00:27:10.059 where He leads. 00:27:10.779 --> 00:27:11.619 And He's freedom 00:27:11.619 --> 00:27:13.160 from bondage. 00:27:14.359 --> 00:27:15.220 So abide. 00:27:15.720 --> 00:27:16.400 Stay with Him. 00:27:16.740 --> 00:27:17.799 Continue in His Word. 00:27:19.039 --> 00:27:19.660 And you will have 00:27:19.660 --> 00:27:21.079 an ever-increasing knowledge 00:27:21.079 --> 00:27:22.819 of the truth that sets us free. 00:27:23.440 --> 00:27:24.059 Let's pray. 00:27:24.059 --> 00:27:24.099 Let's pray. 00:27:24.099 --> 00:27:24.119 Let's pray. 00:27:24.119 --> 00:27:24.160 Let's pray. 00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:24.180 Let's pray. 00:27:34.000 --> 00:27:35.839 Lord Jesus, 00:27:35.960 --> 00:27:36.619 we praise You. 00:27:40.019 --> 00:27:41.220 We praise You 00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:41.980 for Your amazing 00:27:41.980 --> 00:27:44.119 grace 00:27:44.119 --> 00:27:45.980 and power. 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:48.720 We praise You 00:27:48.720 --> 00:27:49.640 for meeting us 00:27:49.640 --> 00:27:51.880 in the wilderness 00:27:51.880 --> 00:27:54.480 of this world 00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:56.759 and of our lives. 00:27:56.960 --> 00:27:57.660 We thank You 00:27:57.660 --> 00:27:59.400 that You are 00:27:59.400 --> 00:28:00.480 all that we need. 00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:03.660 the water of life, 00:28:04.920 --> 00:28:07.500 light for our path, 00:28:08.900 --> 00:28:09.240 freedom 00:28:09.240 --> 00:28:10.579 from bondage 00:28:10.579 --> 00:28:11.079 to sin. 00:28:12.120 --> 00:28:12.460 Lord, 00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:12.940 we pray 00:28:12.940 --> 00:28:13.940 that we would experience 00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:14.880 You more deeply 00:28:14.880 --> 00:28:16.099 in each of these ways. 00:28:19.339 --> 00:28:20.019 We pray 00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:20.640 that if we have 00:28:20.640 --> 00:28:21.839 distanced ourselves 00:28:21.839 --> 00:28:22.400 from You 00:28:22.400 --> 00:28:24.420 or pushed You 00:28:24.420 --> 00:28:25.620 to the edges 00:28:25.620 --> 00:28:26.380 of our lives 00:28:26.380 --> 00:28:28.000 that we would 00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:28.799 turn back to You. 00:28:28.799 --> 00:28:30.759 that we would 00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:31.259 come to You 00:28:31.259 --> 00:28:31.740 and drink, 00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:34.279 that we would 00:28:34.279 --> 00:28:34.919 follow You 00:28:34.919 --> 00:28:36.299 and know 00:28:36.299 --> 00:28:37.139 the light of life, 00:28:38.180 --> 00:28:39.919 that we would 00:28:39.919 --> 00:28:40.619 abide in You 00:28:40.619 --> 00:28:42.359 as Your Word 00:28:42.359 --> 00:28:43.139 abides in us. 00:28:46.859 --> 00:28:47.299 Jesus, 00:28:47.419 --> 00:28:48.079 may we know You 00:28:48.079 --> 00:28:48.779 as the fulfillment 00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:50.919 of all 00:28:50.919 --> 00:28:52.659 our deepest longings, 00:28:53.419 --> 00:28:54.000 the fulfillment 00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:54.599 of all 00:28:54.599 --> 00:28:55.700 that the Feast 00:28:55.700 --> 00:28:56.379 of Tabernacles 00:28:56.379 --> 00:28:57.000 celebrated. 00:28:58.799 --> 00:29:00.419 the all-sufficient 00:29:00.419 --> 00:29:00.839 Savior. 00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:05.079 Amen.