John 8:12-30 – The Validity of Jesus Testimony
- “Holiness is Holistic”
- Previously in the feast Jesus had used the water drawing and water pouring ceremonies to encourage people to come and drink from Him.
- Here now Jesus uses a festival full of light to declare himself “the light of the world”.
- He is in the temple treasury in the court of women.
- He is surrounded by 16 lit bowls of oil.
- According to the misha there was “there was not a courtyard in Jerusalem that was not lit up by the light of the festivities [sukkah 5:2-4]
- After declaring this, his accusers take Him to task asking Him for the other witnesses He must have to validate His teaching.
- Jesus essentially points to The Father as the only witness He needs as He being God counts as one as well.
- He uses remez to hint that He is God by using the phrase “I am” the phrase God of courses uses to describe Himself in the Old Testament.
- He also, in verse 18, speaking midrashically explains that He and His Father have two independent wills.
- And so using theology, logic, sights and sounds, Jesus gets His point across.
- And because the conversation sounds very confusing at times, the result surprised me:
- “Even as He spoke, many put their faith in Him.” v30
- This teaches me a simple lesson, that as a leader there is no one thing that will validate my position. A title on its own or a talent such as speaking or the ability to research and teach is not enough on their own
- Validation comes holistically.
- I have to be the whole package, gifts, character, commitment etc.
- Praying that today – I don’t try to force people to follow but I help them realize I am worth following.
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