Jesus Predicts His Death
May 20, 2019
Commentary
During the Feast of Tabernacles, the women’s court in the temple was lighted by giant lamps with burning wicks made from the priests’ worn-out garments. This reminded the people of how God was with them in the wilderness, guiding them by a pillar of fire by night. In this setting we find Jesus declaring, “I am the light of the world” (v. 12). He said He knew where He came from and where He was going (vv. 13-14). The Pharisees objected to His testimony since according to the law all testimonies must be proven by two witnesses (Deuteronomy 17:6). They did not understand that He had two testimonies: His own and the Father’s. Jesus did not judge anyone, but if He did, He would do it fairly since the Father would help Him (v. 16).
Jesus warned that He would leave them. They would not be able to follow Him, and they would die in their sins (v. 21). Misunderstanding, they thought He was planning to kill Himself (v. 22). Suicide was a terrible thing to a Jew, as they were taught to honor all life. They reasoned that if Jesus committed suicide, He would go to a place of judgment which is why they would not be able to follow Him. Just the opposite was true, however. It was these religious leaders who were going to the place of judgment (vv. 23-24). “Who are you?”, they asked (v. 25). He had given them so much evidence already that He was truly the Son of God, yet they had deliberately rejected the evidence. “I am exactly who I have said I am. Why should I give you more proof, when you have not accepted the witness I have already given?” (vv. 26-27) Many are so taken up with the things of this world that they are blind to all that Christ has to offer.
Jesus made two more claims: He was sent by the Father, and the Father was with Him. He spoke about His own death, saying He would be “lifted up” on the cross (vv. 28-29). Only through His death, burial and resurrection would they be able to see Him for who He really was. Despite widespread rejection, Jesus’s ministry did cause many to put their faith in Him (v. 30).
Application
Salvation is a matter of life or death. People who reject the Savior will die in their sins and be separated from God for all eternity. I need to ask, “what is my attitude toward those who I know are living in their sins?” Many don’t seem to care. Do I care? A bigger question is, what am I doing about warning people about Hell and making sure they know how to go to Heaven?
John 8:12– 30 (NET)
12 Then Jesus spoke out again, “I am the light of the world! The one who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 13 So the Pharisees objected, “You testify about yourself; your testimony is not true!” 14 Jesus answered, “Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, because I know where I came from and where I am going. But you people do not know where I came from or where I am going. 15 You people judge by outward appearances; I do not judge anyone. 16 But if I judge, my evaluation is accurate, because I am not alone when I judge, but I and the Father who sent me do so together. 17 It is written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I testify about myself and the Father who sent me testifies about me.”
19 Then they began asking him, “Who is your father?” Jesus answered, “You do not know either me or my Father. If you knew me you would know my Father too.” 20 (Jesus spoke these words near the offering box while he was teaching in the temple courts. No one seized him because his time had not yet come.)
21 Then Jesus said to them again, “I am going away, and you will look for me but will die in your sin. Where I am going you cannot come.” 22 So the Jewish leaders began to say, “Perhaps he is going to kill himself, because he says, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’” 23 Jesus replied, “You people are from below; I am from above. You people are from this world; I am not from this world. 24 Thus I told you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.”
25 So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus replied, “What I have told you from the beginning. 26 I have many things to say and to judge about you, but the Father who sent me is truthful, and the things I have heard from him I speak to the world.” 27 (They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father.)
28 Then Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and I do nothing on my own initiative, but I speak just what the Father taught me. 29 And the one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do those things that please him.” 30 While he was saying these things, many people believed in him.
Illustration: Nida Hazardous Device Technician’s TShirt
My brother detonates explosives for the police department’s bomb squad. He came to my house one day sporting a distinctive T-shirt. The front read, “Hazardous Device Technician.” When he turned around, I read the back: “If you see me running, try to keep up!” (Contributed by Jodie L. Nida Reader’s Digest, May, 1995, p. 132).