Sermon Nuggets Tues May 27, 2008
Theme- Light of the World
Verses John 8:12-20 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 right, 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 men is valid.
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 area near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his time had not yet come. (NIV)
God’s Affirmation
The Lighthouse has the final word over all ships. God is final authority over all powers, opinions, and outcomes. It really doesn’t make a lot of difference what others think. God and does whatever He wishes. Jesus is fully aware of the facts of eternity. He was conscious of His own authority, coming from the realms of Heaven.
When the religious leaders wanting to have witnesses to authenticate Jesus claims, there were no other witnesses necessary. Jesus made the rules. He certainly needed no other human authority. It is like asking the author of a book to come up with someone who has credentials in literature to explain the book for us.
That author might reply, "I have no need for anyone to explain the meaning of the book. I am the one who knows how it should be interpreted. I wrote it."
No man could speak the words that Jesus speaks unless he is from God. No man could do such things as Jesus did, unless God was with him and acting through him. Barclay writes, "The very fact that Jesus can do for men what men can never do for themselves is the final proof that His power is not simply a man's power. It is God's."
In their court of law two witnesses were required for a testimony to stand. Jesus answers their charges by going to their law and saying there are two witnesses of who I am. Me and My Father. It was not just the words that became the testimony of Jesus, but the testimony of his works that any man there could stand up and affirm His power and authority is not like any man. The second testimony comes from Scriptures and all times Jesus had taught and went back to the writings to show how God was fulfilling those prophecies in Him. The affirmation of God the Father was enough also to point to the supremacy of Jesus as the one to be followed. Standing there in the temple of God fulfilling the types of the festival of the tents, the festival of the lights was God’s testimony that affirmed what many heard at his baptism. “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Hear ye Him.” Jesus not only had two witnesses but many who saw and many who heard. But as far as Jesus was concerned the final affirmation only rests in God! What difference does it make what others think or say?
Pastor Dale
