Chapter 8 of John’s gospel follows the discourse in which the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders question Jesus’ claim and credentials to be the Christ. The tension between Jesus and his followers continues to rise as this chapter begins with people wanting to stone a woman caught in the act of adultery and ends with them wanting to stone Jesus. Jesus turns the table on his accusers by inviting anyone without sin to cast the first stone on the woman. One by one they walk away as their own guilt and hypocrisy is uncovered.
As the conversation between Jesus and the Pharisees continues so the frustration can be clearly felt in Jesus’ response to their questions and doubts throughout the rest of this chapter. In verse 12 Jesus declares that he is the light of the world. Israel was meant to be the light of the world but Israel only provided darkness; Jesus, the true light, came to oppose the darkness that had befallen Israel and accuses the Judeans of willfully misunderstanding Him and failing to grasp what He’s saying.
Jesus attempts to explain that as descendants of Abraham that sin has no place and that the only way to freedom is through the truth. Jesus speaks directly to those who had believed in him saying, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (v.31-32). He is not just talking about freedom from this world but for new life after death. Free from sin, slavery, the law, death, injustice, debt… The message is that the way to freedom is through the truth; freedom and truth go hand in hand. Jesus is offering what everybody in Israel was longing for, freedom beyond freedom from Rome. In spite of his claims they were blind to the truth and picked up stones to stone Jesus forcing him to hide and leave the temple grounds.
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Question:
What worldly temptations or misguided lies have hidden or blurred your ability to always see the truth that Jesus Christ is the only way to freedom?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus help us when we do not recognise the truth and protect us from the devils lies. Help us to always follow in your ways and to always seek the truth in all we think and say. Amen.