Slices
Prepare
Knowing about someone involves facts. Knowing someone involves relationship. Consider what you know about Jesus, then reflect on how you know him day to day.
Bible passage
Dispute over Jesus’ testimony
12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’
13 The Pharisees challenged him, ‘Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.’
14 Jesus answered, ‘Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. 16 But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. 17 In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. 18 I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.’
19 Then they asked him, ‘Where is your father?’
‘You do not know me or my Father,’ Jesus replied. ‘If you knew me, you would know my Father also.’ 20 He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come.
Explore
Jesus makes his extraordinary and audacious claim (v 12) shortly after the Festival of Tabernacles when huge lamps were lit in the Temple courts. These lights reminded the Jews that God, in the form of a pillar of fire, had guided their ancestors from slavery in Egypt towards the Promised Land. In one short phrase, Jesus linked himself to the light of God’s presence in that pillar of fire, and to God’s initial act of creation (Genesis 1:3,4), creating light and separating it from darkness. No wonder the Pharisees question his claim and want to check his credentials (v 13).
The Pharisees, just like many people today, refuse to accept what Jesus had already told them about who he is and where he’s from (see John 6:38,51). They fixate on earthly origins (vs 19; 7:41) and earthly witnesses while Jesus continually points them to his divine credentials (vs 14–18). For anyone questioning Jesus’ credentials today, there is even more evidence (Jesus’ resurrection and ascension) and more witnesses, both earthly and heavenly (see Luke 24:4–7; Acts 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3–8), to prove that Jesus is who he says he is!
Respond
Pray that the light of Jesus would give life to anyone struggling in darkness, and understanding to those who don’t yet know him.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Job 24–26; Luke 21
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for Bex Jignasu, Mission Partners Coordinator, as she works with the regional teams to build good relationships with the mission partners. Pray for effectiveness as she works with the partnership group to develop networks and partnerships with other agencies and organisations to maximise the Revealing Jesus mission impact.
