Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for February 5, 2023

I Am the Light of the World

John 8:12-20

1. Background

• part of sixth discourse (8:12-59)
• preceded by account of woman caught in adultery (8:1-11)
• in the treasury following the Feast of Tabernacles

2. Jesus Issues a Declaration 12

• second “I Am” statement: against backdrop of quenched lights
• light/darkness imagery (pillar of cloud/fire in Num. 9:15-23)
• promise connected to the declaration (1:4)

3. Pharisees Make an Accusation 13

• intensifying opposition
• legal technicality (Deut. 19:15)
• charge of contradiction (5:31-46)

4. Jesus Offers a Clarification 14-18

• affirmation of origin and destination
• disqualification of Pharisees (9:39)
• the sense in which Jesus judges
• intimacy with the Sender: why Jesus is the “Light of the World”

5. Jesus Makes an Evaluation 19-20

• question of the Pharisees
• you know my Father as little as you know Me
• reminder of divine chronology

6. So What?

• Because Jesus is the exclusive source of illumination for a dark world, keep on following Him.
• Recognize the distinction between continual following and casual adherence.
• “When He puts forth His sheep, He goes before them.” (Maclaren)
• “A charge to keep I have, a God to glorify, who gave His Son my soul to save, and fit it for the sky.” (Wesley)