There were five ways people related with Jesus during his three year ministry. The first group of folks ignored him. They didn't believe he was the Son of God. They never considered him to be the Messiah. Jesus was most amazed by these people that they could ignore the miracles he performed and His message. The second group of people listened to what he had to say but remain unconvinced and unbelieving; they walked away when Jesus offended them. The third group followed him around because they were entertained and enjoyed the free meals and they liked how Jesus consistently trash talked the bad guys; but, they stopped short believing Jesus was the Son of God. The fourth group of people thought Jesus to be Israel's Messiah. Jesus was the one prophets had foretold would return Jerusalem and the Temple back to Jewish control. And the final group of people believed Jesus to be the Son of God. They believed what he said about himself and they understood the miracles he performed were confirmation that God was with him.
People relate with Jesus the same way today. You fit into one of these five groups. Some ignore him. Some listen but remain unbelieving. Some think Jesus was a good guy with a good message, he was entertaining, but that's all he was. Some believe Jesus was about politics. And then there are those of us who believe He is the Son of God.
The way you relate with the person of Jesus dictates how you receive his Word. If, to you, Jesus is not the Son of God, then His Word won't mean much, if anything. Jesus told his followers that the rest of the New Testament would soon follow his resurrection. The Bible tells us that the Word of God and the person of Jesus are one and the same.
It's important for you to identify how you choose to interact with the person of Jesus, because if you fall into the group that believes he is the Son of God there is really good news for you. If you don't believe Jesus is the Son of God then I pray you will change your mind.
Jesus said this, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
For the next few moments let's discuss this teaching of Jesus in John 8. Again, I hope you relate with this believing that Jesus is the Son of God.
There is one idea that Jesus is teaching us here that is life changing for those who believe; here it is: You have an opportunity to live forever because of who Jesus is.
Let's set the stage for what Jesus is teaching us today. Earlier in the day...
Jesus is in the middle of a teaching session when he is interrupted by an angry mob that bursts into the middle of his class. The mob is the typical group of guys who during the duration of Jesus’ public ministry try to trap him into saying something they can use against him. And this day was no different.
Being pushed around in the middle of this mob is a woman who is more than likely naked or has a simple sheet or linen wrapped around her body, but, not much else. The mob shoves this unfortunate woman to the ground at the feet of Jesus. One of the religious leaders looks around at the students and then towards Jesus and publicly proclaims for all to hear, “This woman was found in a bed with a man that is not her husband. The law says we are to stone her. What do you say?”
Today we’re not as public with our accusations. We don’t publicly humiliate sinners here, but, privately we do the same thing. We whisper. We judge those we know have broken the rules, not in a public show, but in a gossip circle among friends and family. We’ve all done this.
This woman is publicly humiliated. She definitely broke the rules. And so did the man she was sleeping with by the way. But these religious leaders aren’t concerned about why she broke the rules they’re just consumed with trapping Jesus to do something about it. John tells us that Jesus doesn’t say anything. He just starts writing something in the dirt. We don’t know what He was drawing, some commentators speculate that perhaps He was writing the sins of the accusers in the dirt. I don’t know about that, but, just the thought brings a smile to my face. Meanwhile these bad guys waited on an answer. If Jesus speaks to the law He’ll have no choice but to condemn this woman. Finally, Jesus says, “if any of you is without sin, he can cast the first stone.”
One by one these religious bullies drop their stones and walk away. When every single accuser left and Jesus was left alone with the woman and his class, then Jesus asks, “did all your accusers leave?” Jesus knew there was still One who could condemn her, and maybe the woman understood this, too, because then Jesus said, “I don’t condemn you either. Go and leave your life of sin.”
Jesus used simple words and simple ideas to introduce complex realities. Jesus may not have defined every sinful thing a human being can do when he encouraged the woman not to sin anymore, but, he did tell Paul to define a list and record them in 1 Corinthians, Romans 1, and 1 Timothy 1. This is why it's a great idea to start with Jesus if you're a new follower, then, move on to the rest of the New Testament after you understand what Jesus is about. The New Testament confirms the simple and straightforward teaching of Jesus.
Then Jesus turns to his class and says, ""I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
Let's just be clear...I'm the woman in this narrative. No, I don't really want to be a woman, that would look bad on my resume, I promise, I don't cross dress, ever, not even on the weekends. But, Spiritually, I am this woman. So was everyone listening to Jesus that day. So are you. We are all sinners. Yet to the woman caught in the middle of an adulterous sex act, to those who condemned her, to those who gossiped about her, to those who wanted to kill her, Jesus said, "You don't have to walk in darkness." You are created to live with power. The power to overcome death. In one statement the One who created you says you are created for life. You don't have to walk in darkness. Jesus told His best friend to say this, " I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life." What Jesus taught, the New Testament confirms.
Just as Jesus forgives the woman thrown at his feet, he also forgives you no matter who you are or what you've done, you have an opportunity to live forever because of who Jesus is. "If you follow me"
Jesus keeps it simple. How do we follow Jesus? He tells us, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me." You can't live the way you want to and be a follower of Jesus. Jesus told Paul to teach us that you can be a follower of Jesus or you can be your own person and live how you want but you can't do both. If you live your way you live in darkness. If you live for Jesus then you live forever. Simple. Straightforward.
"you will have the light that leads to life." Jesus is the light that leads to life. This is his promise. You have an opportunity to live forever because of who Jesus is.
Do you believe he is the Son of God?
