The Light of the World (Jn 8:1-24)
Preliminary: What's going on in Jn 7:53-8:11?
1. Transmission of the Biblical text
"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever" (Is 40:8, see 1Pe 1:24-25). Jesus himself says, "Heaven & earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away" (Mt 24:35), & calls the Scriptures "the word of God" (e.g. Mk 7:13, see Mt 4:4, 22:31-32).
2. Doubt on this paragraph
Only found in 900 manuscripts, no ancient translations outside the west, & not one of the early fathers cite it including Ambrose & Augustine.
3. Our commitment to the Word of God
We are absolutely committed to God's word, & I'm "a minister of the word" (Lk 1:2, see 1Pe 4:11, 2Tim 4:1-2).
Intro: Matter of Life & Death
1. The Light of the World offers Life (8:12)
See Jn 3:19, 1:4.
2. Two Witnesses to Jesus (8:13-20)
Jesus not testifying alone. Dt 19:15, two witnesses-including miracles the Father has given him.
3. Light of the World threatens Death (8:21-24)
Jesus could see, as no man has ever seen, the consequence of life in this world.
Application: "O eternity, eternity!"
Arthur Stace: always keeping eternity in our view. How eternity puts our life in perspective, & makes Jesus Christ so much more vital to us at every moment.
Conclusion
Each word we speak has infinite effects-
Each soul we pass must go to heaven or hell-
And this our one chance through eternity.
Be earnest, earnest, earnest; mad if thou wilt:
Do what thou dost as if the stake were heaven,
And that thy last deed ere the judgment day.
(C. Kingsley, The Saint's Tragedy; act 7) |
