John Bible Study Lesson 5

John Bible Study Lesson 5 Answers

1.Do some research on "literal" Bible interpretation and give a definition and an example.
Literal Bible interpretation; Many fundamentalists believed the Holy Spirit dictated the Bible to its human authors word-for-word. They reasoned that "inerrancy of Scripture" meant that everything in the Bible must be absolutely, literally, scientifically and historically true. Anything less would be unworthy of God. According to this view, the Bible, in all its detail, is inerrant on matters of history and science, as well as doctrine. Any apparent conflict between the Bible and another source (science, history, etc.) should be resolved in favor of the Bible because of its Divine origin.

Bible verses such as these are often quoted to support the literal view:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (KJV, 2nd Timothy 3:16)

But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. (NAS, 2nd Peter 1:20-21)

However, interpreting the entire Bible as literal divine revelation poses severe problems for serious Bible study. Besides the apparent conflicts with science and history, there is evidence within the Bible itself that it has both human and divine origins. Luke attributed his Gospel to his own research:

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. (NIV, Luke 1:1-4)

Paul's letters (Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, etc.) were originally written as letters to churches he had founded, not as part of Scripture. They dealt not only with divine revelation but also with many mundane matters like disputes among church factions. Paul often stated his own personal opinions:

To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. (NIV, 1 Corinthians 7:12)

There is also evidence within the Bible that portions of it are intended to be interpreted figuratively rather than literally (John 16:25, Galatians 4:24, Revelation 1:20, 17:18, etc.)

2.Do some research on "metaphor" and give definition and a Biblical example of its use.

Metaphor - indeed there are many metaphors in the Bible. Jesus used metaphors very effectively as a teaching tool. For example, at Matthew 19:24, Jesus said that it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man (one who pursues wealth as a god) to get into God's Kingdom. Pretty easy to get that point, right?
Here's some more examples.
Jesus used a metaphor when he told his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth.” (Matthew 5:13) No, the disciples were not literally salt. But salt is a preservative, and the disciples had a message that would preserve the lives of many people. By saying, “You are the salt” (a metaphor) Jesus was being much more forceful than if he had said, “You are like salt” (a simile).
We see some more examples in these other words of Jesus: “I am the door”; “You are the light of the world. . . . Let your light shine.”—John 10:7-9, 11; Matthew 5:14-16.

Please take a quick look at why we can put implicit trust in the Bible.
Prophecy - The prophecies recorded in the Bible are provably accurate to the minutest of details even though the prophecies were uttered sometimes hundreds of years in advance. Consider, for example, the prophecy recorded at Isaiah 44:24, 27, 28; 45:1-4 about how the great walled city of Babylon would fall. Absolutely unimaginable as Babylon was the world power at the time. Yet, some 150 years later, it all happened exactly as Isaiah had foretold. In fact, Cyrus was named as the man who would orchestrate this attack and he wasn't even born yet when this prophecy was recorded. There are far too many more prophecies recorded in the Bible to be able to say that it is not historically accurate.
In fact, recent discoveries have proven that Pharaoh's army did indeed all drown at the Red Sea.

The Bible is not a scientific textbook and yet, where it does touch on scientific matters, it is absolutely accurate. For example, consider that the Bible correctly referred to the earth as a circle or a sphere (Isaiah 40:22) long before Columbus figured it out. It also said that the hare was a cud-chewer. Science only figured this out recently.
The Bible was written by over 40 different individuals over a time period of some 1600 years. They came from many different backgrounds and different walks of life. There were farmers and fishermen and shepherds. There were prophets and judges and kings. The Gospel writer Luke, was a doctor. All of this and yet the Bible is absolutely harmonious throughout.

3.Do some research on "simile" and give definition and a biblical example. A simile is a comparison between people or things with something else which throws light on the description of the people or the meaning of the thing / concept / idea. The clue to the presence of a simile is the use of like / as.

Here are five examples of similes:

They came up with their livestock and their tents like swarms of locusts [Judges 6:5]

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. [Matt. 13:44] Metaphors describe something in terms of something else, so creating a picture which throws light on the thing described. So when Jesus said, ‘I am the Good Shepherd’ [John 10:11] he was using a metaphor ‘shepherd’ to describe his role and he contrasts his way of being a shepherd – laying down his life for his sheep – with that of others.
4.Do some research on an "allegory" and give definition and a Biblical example. Allegory is an extended metaphor; this is a meaning intended in the original text

Some examples of allegory in the Bible include:

The parable of the trees, Judges 9. The trees represent the lords of Shechem, and the bramble represents Abimelech.

The vine in Psalm 80. The vine represents Israel and its relationship with God.

Nathan's prophecy against David, 2 Samuel 12. As Nathan explains, King David is the rich man who steals from the poor.

Many parables of Jesus, e.g. the weeds and the wheat, Matthew 13:24-30; the good Samaritan, Luke 10:37-37; the vineyard, Mark 12:1-9

5.When we speak of Bible "typology" or we using it in literal or figurative way? Explain your answer. Typology is a foreshadowing of later events; this is a secondary meaning that often can only be seen after the fact

Typology is found throughout the New Testament. Some examples:

Matthew 2:15 quoting Hosea 11:1, "Out of Egypt I have called my son." The original refers to the Exodus; Matthew uses this typologically to refer to Joseph taking Mary and Jesus to Egypt. Israel's exodus from Egypt foreshadows Jesus' return from Egypt.

Hebrews 7 refers to King Melchizedek as "a priest forever", foreshadowing Jesus, who for Christians is the true "priest forever".

In Matthew 12:39-40 Jesus refers to Jonah's three days and nights in the belly of the whale as a "sign" foreshadowing Jesus' three days and nights in the tomb.

In John 3:14 the pole lifted by Moses in the wilderness (Numbers 21:9) foreshadows Jesus being "lifted up" on the cross.

Romans 5:14 explicitly calls Adam "a type of the one who was to come". The death which Adam brought to all of humanity foreshadows the life which Christ brings.

6.Read and explain John 10:7.

John 10:7 I am the door of the sheep. Joh 10:1-5 speak of shepherds in general. These shepherds enter into the fold and go out by the same door as the sheep. Christ is that door; the door of the sheep, the one door for all, both sheep and shepherds. There is no other way in, for there is no other name, under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved (Ac 4:12).

7.Read and explain John 10:8.

John10:8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers. Abbott holds that the idea is All who came, not entering through the door, but claiming to be before me, having the precedence, independent of me, are thieves and robbers. This seems to harmonize with the context, and is probably the Savior's meaning. He included the Jewish rabbis, the Greek philosophers, the pretended prophets, and the Infallible Pope. These all refuse to bow to his authority.

8.Read and explain John 10:9. John10:9 If any one - As a sheep, enter in by me - Through faith, he shall be safe - From the wolf, and from those murdering shepherds. And shall go in and out - Shall continually attend on the shepherds whom I have sent; and shall find pasture - Food for his soul in all circumstances.

9.Read and explain John 10:10.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy - That is, nothing else can be the consequence of a shepherd's coming, who does not enter in by me.

10.Are the "I AM" statements a "figure of speech" or a "literal" statement. If it is a "figure of speech", which type?

Yes I AM  statement is  a figure of speech. A figure of speech is sometimes called a rhetorical figure or a locution.

 When Jesus used the "I AM" construction he was speaking in the style of deity. In conclusion, we contend that in the claim, "I AM the bread of life," Jesus is making His heavenly origins known, and the fact that He alone supplies the spiritual need of His hearers. I AM" sayings prove the deity of Jesus the Christ. And that when Jesus uttered these solemn words, He sought to convey the astounding fact of his divine nature - as did the Apostle John when he recorded these life-giving words. Some good examples of Jesus’ metaphors are also in the gospels. In these examples, Jesus compares Himself to, bread water and light.

Then Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12

I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to Me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in Me will ever be thirsty again. – John 6:35

John Bible Study Lesson 4

John Bible Study Lesson 4

1.       Read and explain John 8:12.

John 8:12-16:Christ is the Light of the world. God is light, and Christ is the image of the invisible God. One sun enlightens the whole world; so does one Christ, and there needs no more. What a dark dungeon would the world be without the sun! So would it be without Jesus, by whom light came into the world. Those who follow Christ shall not walk in darkness. They shall not be left without the truths which are necessary to keep them from destroying error, and the directions in the way of duty, necessary to keep them from condemning sin.

2. Read and explain John 8:24. Compare this verse to John 3:18. John 8:21-29: Those that live in unbelief, are for ever undone, if they die in unbelief. The Jews belonged to this present evil world, but Jesus was of a heavenly and Divine nature, so that his doctrine, kingdom, and blessings, would not suit their taste. But the curse of the law is done away to all that submit to the grace of the gospel. Nothing but the doctrine of Christ's grace will be an argument powerful enough, and none but the Spirit of Christ's grace will be an agent powerful enough, to turn us from sin to God; and that Spirit is given, and that doctrine is given, to work upon those only who believe in Christ. Some say, Who is this Jesus? They allow him to have been a Prophet, an excellent Teacher, and even more than a creature; but cannot acknowledge him as over all, God blessed for evermore. Will not this suffice? Jesus here answers the question. Is this to honour him as the Father? Does this admit his being the Light of the world, and the Life of men, one with the Father? All shall know by their conversion, or in their condemnation, that he always spake and did what pleased the Father, even when he claimed the highest honours to himself.

John  3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned - Is acquitted, is justified before God. The name of the only - begotten Son of God - The name of a person is often put for the person himself. But perhaps it is farther intimated in that expression, that the person spoken of is great and magnificent. And therefore it is generally used to express either God the Father or the Son.

3. Read and explain John 8:31-32. Explain free from what? John 8:30-36 Such power attended our Lord's words, that many were convinced, and professed to believe in him. He encouraged them to attend his teaching, rely on his promises, and obey his commands, notwithstanding all temptations to evil. Thus doing, they would be his disciples truly; and by the teaching of his word and Spirit, they would learn where their hope and strength lay. Christ spoke of spiritual liberty; but carnal hearts feel no other grievances than those that molest the body, and distress their worldly affairs. Talk to them of their liberty and property, tell them of waste committed upon their lands, or damage done to their houses, and they understand you very well; but speak of the bondage of sin, captivity to Satan, and liberty by Christ; tell of wrong done to their precious souls, and the hazard of their eternal welfare, then you bring strange things to their ears. Jesus plainly reminded them, that the man who practised any sin, was, in fact, a slave to that sin, which was the case with most of them. Christ in the gospel offers us freedom, he has power to do this, and those whom Christ makes free are really so. But often we see persons disputing about liberty of every kind, while they are slaves to some sinful lust.

4. Read and explain John 8:39? Whose children does Jesus say that they are? John 8:39. If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham-He had just said He "knew they were Abraham's children," that is, according to the flesh; but the children of his faith and holiness they were not, but the reverse.

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5. Read Chapters 8-9 of John and contrast light and darkness.

John Chapter 8 & 9 – Jesus is the Light of the World

When Jesus proclaimed He is the Light of the World in John 8:12 this made his second of the seven Great “I AMs” of John. Just as the earth or anything in it cannot survive without the sun, humanity cannot do without Jesus. Even now, though many live oblivious to His sustaining power in all things, He is nonetheless Lord and King of all! He is as vital and necessary as the sun itself is to the physical world. As all energy and life is given by the Sun, our light here in the physical world; so it follows that all energy and life, physical and spiritual, derive from Jesus. He is The SON! Let’s look at some of the things Jesus reveals about Himself and us through His statements on Divine Light.

1.       Jesus is the Morning Star, the Dawn upon the darkness. John 8:2 – At dawn He appeared at the temple courts – Jesus is the true light. All the people gathered around Him and He taught them. Those who refuse the clarity of light prefer darkness – preferring ignorance and reliance upon their pitiful thoughts and ways.

2.       Jesus exposes sin and deals mercifully with us. 8:3-11 – Light exposes darkness. Nothing can escape its illumination!  True light exposes sin to give it opportunity to change. In this passage the teachers of the Law and Pharisees thought they were being “light” by bringing a woman accused of adultery before Jesus; but they exposed her to test him, or to humiliate her, or to appear “righteous”. Whatever the motive it was not a true, genuine, loving motive. The Morning Star, our Lord Jesus, exposes sin that we may repent and shine with Him! Jesus being the light of the world teaches the sinless and undefiled nature of Christ, light being the only thing that may fall upon rottenness and corruption and itself remain uncontaminated. The Light of the world shines upon the wretched ugliness of our shameless world, saves it, changes it, and lifts it up, but is not himself contaminated. No matter how dirty the room in which the light shines, the light remains pure.

a.       Peter wrote: 2Pe 1:19 NIV We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

b.      Although Jesus is the Light of the World and can see all things, He chooses to give mercy as opposed to condemnation. He does not do it to tolerate sin, but to obliterate it. Jesus expects us to sin not more, as he told this woman when He forgave her (8:11).

3.       Jesus is the Light of the World. 8:12 – NIV  "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." This metaphor reveals Jesus as God. Only of one identified with deity could it be said of him that He is the light of the world. The Old Testament made it clear that only God is light: "The Lord is my light and my salvation" (Psalms 27:1); and an apostle identified God as "the Father of heavenly lights" (James 1:17). Therefore, when Jesus said, "I am the light of the world," he forever lifted himself above the category of mere mortality. Only a lunatic, or the world's true Savior, could sincerely have said such a thing as this; and the receding centuries have left no doubt that the Redeemer said it and that he is indeed the world's light. He is God come in the flesh. He wants us to have life in His fellowship – that is the light of Life!

a.       Jesus also said: John 12:46 NIV  I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. By obligation, whether we believe or not, we can only walk in the light. You may forgive someone who stumbles around in darkness, but if he does so in the light there is a problem, unless the person is blind. When light is shone we are obligated to look. If we reject what is clearly shown we sin against God and reject the goodness clarified by the light. If you stay in darkness you have chosen to remain ignorant, limited and irrelevant. Many charge Christians to be irrelevant to the “modern” dictates of our culture but in the end, it is those who chose to remain in darkness who will be irrelevant to the eternal life to be revealed.

b.      Jesus is the light of the world eternally, for even in heaven, "the Lamb is its lamp" of the eternal city (Revelation 21:23). Chris Tomlin’s hymn catches the mystery of this thought perfectly: Light of the world you’ve stepped down into darkness; opened my eyes let me see…

4.       Divine Light Exposes the Unseen. 8:15-16 – NIV  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. The Light of the World, Jesus, doesn’t pass judgment (not yet anyway. We’ll read more about that in chapter 12). True Light doesn’t judge by human standards. Humans judge by outward appearance, just like physical light lets them see; God judges by the heart (1 Sam 16:17).

a.       Humans are quick to judge. They usually don't discern in their judgment. Thank God His judgments are true! His thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways higher than our ways (Isa 55:7-9).

b.      This metaphor is an apt figure of the universality of the gospel, there being no place on earth where light cannot reach. Similarly, the saving message of Christ shines throughout all the earth. The witness of the calendar week (7 days of creation) and the measurements of time (B.C and A.D.), of the Gospel trifecta, of the witness of history, of the progress of civilization, etc. - imperfect as the witness surely is, it is nevertheless undeniably universal they all point to Christ as Lord of all the universe. As John said of Jesus, He is "The true light that gives light to everyone" (John 1:6-9).

c.       I am the Light of the World. 9:5 – When Jesus says this in chapter 9 he said it in the context of his disciples judging sin by mere appearances. The light from God helps us see the works of God displayed in the imperfect and broken things of the world as Jesus said, “…but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” – John 9:3. Therefore we should judge nothing before its time for we may not be seeing the completeness of what God is accomplishing. 1Co 4:5 NIV Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

5.       The need to be children of Light (John 12:36). NIV “Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” I believe Jesus is asking of us, just like He was asking of those people to simply walk according to the truth even if you don't completely understand where it came from or its purpose.  Jesus was teaching them to take advantage of His presence among them to learn His ways, lest they be overtaken by darkness.  As a very famous green little person said: “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” ~ Yoda. While I have Jesus (the Word) in front of me I have to take advantage of His presence or sin can overcome me.  Let's impress Jesus upon our hearts so we can be sons of light and shine brightly! Being sons of light means:

a.       Working wholeheartedly in God’s Kingdom: John 9:4 NIV As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. There was work Jesus had to do - since He was in the world and is the Light of the World, there were things to do before night came (He would leave the world) and no more of this work could be done. Without God’s light we wouldn’t know how to work, the right attitude to go about it or why we should do it. As our Light, Jesus shows us that the work we ought to do, for we do not do it for men but for the Lord (Col 3:23 NIV Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters…).

b.      Doing it all with a positive attitude and with gratefulness: – our goal is to please Him (2 Co 5:9) and that is why we do our very best! Children ought to please their parents because in doing so they please God – Col 3:20. Workers should do their best not to please their bosses but to please Jesus (Col 3:22). What we do and why we do it ought not to depend on other’s reactions or promises to us, but on our commitment to please the Lord. We are not lead by our emotions but engage our emotions in our conviction. That is the life and the power the Holy Spirit gave us (2Ti 1:7 NIV For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.).

6.       Jesus lights up God’s Character. 8:24, 28, 58 – Jesus is “I Am”! "I am" in the Greek is ego eimi: I am, I have been, I will always be.  When Jesus says “I am He” in the Greek it’s really saying “I Am” or “I am the One”. Jesus declares himself to be The Lord Almighty (see Exodus 3:14). Philippians 2:9-13 NIV Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,  (10)  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  (11)  and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  (12)  Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, (13) for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

a.       When I understand Who Jesus is, I am rightly motivated to will and to act according to God’s kindness and generosity, not according to how I feel or what I think.

b.      When I understand Who Jesus is, I am motivated to live as His child not by fear but by His love – His love makes me Revere Him – honor Him and respect Him by humbly obeying and accepting His will.

c.       I will either bow down and confess Him now willingly became I recognize His name; or I will do it later by obligation with eternal regret.

7.       The Light Enables us to Worship in Spirit and Truth. 9:38-39 – When the blind man received his sight at first all he saw was the world he was missing. He didn’t yet know Jesus, although he was willing to defend Him against the accusations of the Pharisees. At the end of chapter 9 Jesus asks him if he believes. The man believed and worshipped Him. Those who see the light worship Jesus. There is no one else to worship or pay homage to.  Jesus has come for judgment, to expose those who think they see and to help those who don’t see.

a.       John 8:31-32 NIV To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  (32) Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Jesus addresses those who were believing in Him and is now going to tell them how to make that belief work. It is not enough just to intellectually admit or believe – belief has to mature as faith expressed in obedience and full trust. Holding to Jesus' teachings is how we show we are His real disciples. Holding, abiding, continuing – depending on the English translation this word is from the Greek meno, which means to remain, not to depart, to continue to be present; to keep, to endure and to become as one, not becoming another or different (Thayer's Lexicon).

                                                               i.      A contrast is made between real and false disciples. Who are false? Those who believe but who do not honor Jesus' teachings by their lifestyle. Those who are "Christians" in name only. We call them "Sunday Christians" or "Christmas Christians". They may observe traditional "Christian" customs (most which are not even really biblical but man-made) but they are not disciples of Jesus at heart.

                                                             ii.      Jesus did not say to those believers: "You have believed on me, therefore you are saved"; but he said in effect, "Now that you have believed, if you really want to be my disciples, do what I have commanded." The ultimate salvation of those "believers" depended then, as it does today, upon their obeying the gospel of Christ. If they had been among the three thousand baptized on Pentecost, then they would have been saved. - Coffman

b.      We know it is God's Word, Jesus, who judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Heb 4:12). Those who say they really see but don't accept Jesus are really blind. Those who acknowledge their blindness will receive their sight. Those who acknowledge themselves as blind receive healing (Matthew 5:1ff).  Those who are arrogant cannot see the glory of God.  They have no part in God's grace since they cannot see the very thing that can bring them healing.  They too think they can see, like the Pharisees.

c.       Men are commanded to respond to the light. They should believe on the light and become sons of light (John 12:36); they should walk in the light (1 John 1:6-7); they should put on the whole armor of light (Romans 13:12); and they should arise and shine in the reflected glory of the light (Isaiah 60:1). The import of all this is that all men should exhibit an obedient faith in Christ.

John 12:46-48 NIV  I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.  (47)  If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. (48)  There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.

Jesus did not come to the world to judge us but to get us on the right path. He came to give us hope, as hopeless as we may seem to be. He did come to tell us there will be a judgment, on the last day. Time is short and we must make sure we take Jesus’ invitation to correct our course and lead us to the light and to stay in the path of light if we’ve deviated. We must continue to work out our salvation with fear and trembling indeed!

Mal 4:2a NIV But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays.

Invitation: Will you follow Jesus into the light of life and step out of the darkness? – John 8:12 

6. Compare Jesus' response to why the man was born blind in chapter 9 to the fact that all are born spiritually blind?

There is a man mentioned in John 9 who was born blind, but when Jesus arrived on the scene, this blind man's life drastically changed. Not only would he see with his eyes, but he would also come to a clear spiritual view of Christ. The miracle in John chapter nine sets the tone for two important lessons Jesus wanted to teach. First, there is a lesson on the nature of spiritual blindness (9:39-41). Second, He issues a warning about false spiritual shepherds (10:1-18). We will concern ourselves, in these articles, with His primary lesson in chapter nine.

The blind man makes an astute Biblical observation: "Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind" (9:32). This is a true statement, search your Bibles. It seems that restoring sight to the blind was strictly the work of Jesus Christ (c.f., Isa 29:18 42:6).

John chapter nine is a powerful illustration and confirmation of Jesus claim, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" Jn 8:12.

The Lord's View of the Blind Man: (Jn 9:3-5)
"Jesus answered, 'Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.'"

Jesus both answers their question and helps them to see a broader issue. His words do not explain the cause of the man's blindness, but the purpose. He sees in the blind man an opportunity to display the works of God.

When we see suffering, do we see it as a problem or a possibility? If someone close to us suffers from physical or mental impairment, what do we see in that person? Do we see a problem, a hassle, an inconvenience, or do we see an opportunity to display the works of God? For us that means providing assistance in whatever way we can.

The Healing Effect of Obedience: (Jn 9:6-7)
"When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And He said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing."

We have seen the blind man from the disciples' perspective, and more clearly, from the Lord's perspective, now let's put ourselves behind the darkened eyes of the blind man. Put yourself in his place for a moment. His hearing is just fine. How would you feel, hearing people talk about your spiritual condition with no concern at all for your thoughts? The blind man put them all to silence though, he did not have a careless concern for his condition, he went out and did exactly as Jesus instructed and returned with his eye-sight.

This healing also tells us something about Jesus. He always backed up His claims with application. It is one thing to say, "I am the light of the world" and another thing to demonstrate the power to take away the darkness. Just like it is one thing for us to say we are lights in the world and salt to the earth, and another thing to reflect truth and preserve righteousness in our lives.

The People's Reaction: (Jn 9:8-12)
"Therefore the neighbors and those who previously had seen that he was blind said, 'Is not this he who sat and begged?' Some said, 'This is he.' Others said, 'He is like him.' He said, 'I am he.' Therefore they said to him, 'How were your eyes opened?' He answered and said, 'A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, Go to the pool of Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and I received sight.' Then they said to him, 'Where is He?' He said, 'I do not know.'"

The miracle was so incredible that the people could not believe their eyes. What is troubling, though, is that no one seems to be rejoicing with the formerly blind man. They asked only, "Where is He?" Jesus, that is, thinking maybe He had something for them too. The little phrase, "Rejoice with those who rejoice," (Ro 12:15) is difficult for the worldly mind centered on its own interests.

Now that Jesus has captured our attention with this miracle, let us reflect upon three things that this miracle tells us about conversion to Jesus Christ.

Conversion Begins With God: The blind man did not initiate his healing, Jesus did. The apostle John wrote, "In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins" 1Jn 4:9-10.
Conversion Involves Faith: Jesus told him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" and he did so, by faith, "and came back seeing." Do you think this man would have gained his sight if rather than going to the pool of Siloam he went to his parents' home and washed in their basin? To have spiritual sight today, people must respond to God's love in obedient faith.
Conversion Begins A Life Of Great Change: The word conversion means "to turn about, turn towards." In the lessons that follow, we will observe a true conversion to Christ, as the formerly blind man turns away from the dark ditch of unbelief toward the glorious light of the Son of God.
If you are living in darkness today, there is no reason why you cannot learn from the example of this formerly blind man. Will you be washed and receive your sight today? "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord" Ac 22:16.

7. Research the "Feast of the Tabernacles" and explain its purpose.

The Feast of Tabernacles is the seventh and last feast that the Lord commanded Israel to observe and one of the three feasts that Jews were to observe each year by going to “appear before the Lord your God in the place which He shall choose” (Deuteronomy 16:16). The importance of the Feast of Tabernacles can be seen in how many places it is mentioned in Scripture. In the Bible we see many important events that took place at the time of the Feast of Tabernacles. For one thing, it was at this time that Solomon’s Temple was dedicated to the Lord (1 Kings 8:2).

It was also at the Feast of Tabernacles that the Israelites, who had returned to rebuild the Temple, gathered together to hear Ezra proclaim the word of God to them (Nehemiah 8). Ezra’s preaching resulted in a great revival as the Israelites confessed their sins and repented of them. It was also during this Feast that Jesus said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37-39).

The Feast of Tabernacles takes place on the 15th of the Hebrew month Tishri. This was the seventh month on the Hebrew calendar and usually occurs in late September to mid-October. The feast begins five days after the Day of Atonement and at the time the fall harvest had just been completed. It was a time of joyous celebration as the Israelites celebrated God’s continued provision for them from the current harvest and also to remember and celebrate His provision and protection during the 40 years in the wilderness.

As one of the three feasts that all “native born” male Jews were commanded to participate in, the Feast of Tabernacles is mentioned multiple times in Scripture, sometimes called the Feast of the Ingathering, the Feast to the Lord, or the Feast of Booths (Exodus 23:16; Deuteronomy 16:13). As one of the pilgrim feasts (when Jewish males were commanded to go to Jerusalem), it was also the time when they brought their tithes and offerings to the Temple (Deuteronomy 16:16). With all the influx of people coming to Jerusalem at that time, we can only imagine what the scene must have been like. Thousands upon thousands of people coming together to remember and celebrate God’s deliverance and His provision, all living in temporary shelters or booths as part of the requirements of the feast. During the eight-day period, so many sacrifices were made that it required all twenty-four divisions of priests to be present to assist in the sacrificial duties.

We find God’s instructions for celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles in Leviticus 23, given at a point in history right after God had delivered Israel from bondage in Egypt. The feast was to be celebrated each year on “the fifteenth day of this seventh month” and was to run for seven days (Leviticus 23:34). Like all feasts, it begins with a “holy convocation” or Sabbath day where the Israelites were to stop working to set aside the day for worshiping God. On each day of the feast they were to offer an “offering made by fire to the Lord” and then after seven days of feasting, again the eighth day was to be “a holy convocation” when they were to cease from work and offer another sacrifice to God (Leviticus 23). Lasting eight days, the Feast of Tabernacles begins and ends with a Sabbath day of rest. During the eight days of the feast, the Israelites would dwell in booths or tabernacles that were made from the branches of trees (Leviticus 23:40-42).

The Feast of Tabernacles, like all the feasts, was instituted by God as a way of reminding Israelites in every generation of their deliverance by God from Egypt. Of course the feasts are also significant in that they foreshadow the work and actions of the coming Messiah. Much of Jesus’ public ministry took place in conjunction with the Holy Feasts set forth by God. Like other parts of the Old Testament ceremonial and sacrificial system, the feasts are a foreshadowing of what the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, would and did accomplish.

The three pilgrim feasts where all Jewish males were commanded to “appear before the Lord in the place he chooses” are each very important in regards to the life of Christ and His work of redemption. We know with certainty that the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread are symbolic of Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross. Likewise we know that Pentecost, which marked the beginning of the Feast of Weeks, was the time of Jesus’ bodily ascension. And most scholars would agree that the Feast of Tabernacles is symbolic of Christ’s Second Coming when He will establish His earthly kingdom.

But there are also some who believe that it was likely during the Feast of Tabernacles that Jesus was born. While we celebrate Christ’s birth on December 25, most scholars acknowledge that this tradition was begun in the fourth century B.C. by the Roman Catholic Church and that the exact day of Jesus’ birth is unknown. Some of the evidence that Jesus might have been born earlier in the year during the Feast of the Tabernacles includes the fact that it would be unlikely for shepherds to still be in the field with their sheep in December, which is in the middle of the winter, but it would have been likely they were in the fields tending sheep at the time of the Feast of Tabernacles. The strong possibility that Jesus was born at the time of the Feast of Tabernacles is also seen in the words John wrote in John 1:14. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” The word John chose to speak of Jesus “dwelling” among us is the word “tabernacle” which simply means to “dwell in a tent.”

Some believe it is very likely that John intentionally used this word to associate the first coming of Christ with the Feast of Tabernacles. Christ came in the flesh to dwell among us for a temporary time when He was born in the manger, and He is coming again to dwell us among us as Lord of Lords. While it cannot be established with certainty that Jesus was born during the Feast of the Tabernacles, some believe there is a strong possibility the Feast of Tabernacles not only looks forward to His second coming but also reflects back on His first coming.

The Feast of Tabernacles begins and ends with a special Sabbath day of rest. During the days of the feast all native Israelites were “to dwell in booths” to remind them that God delivered them out of the “land of Egypt” and to look forward to the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would deliver His people from the bondage of sin. This feast, like all of the feasts of Israel, consistently reminded the Jews and should remind Christians as well that God has promised to deliver His people from the bondage of sin and deliver them from their enemies. Part of God’s deliverance for the Israelites was His provision and protection of them for the 40 years they wandered in the wilderness, cut off from the Promised Land. The same holds true for Christians today. God protects us and provides for us as we go through life in the wilderness of this world. While our hearts long for the Promised Land (heaven) and to be in the presence of God, He preserves us in this world as we await the world to come and the redemption that will come when Jesus Christ returns again to “tabernacle” or dwell among us in bodily form.

8. What was the "light" to the Jews in the wilderness? Compare the purpose of the light in the wilderness to the walking in the light for the believer.

The cloud led the people in the wilderness until they crosses over the Jordan River into the Promised Land in Canaan. In the person of Jesus Christ we have the full and complete revelation of God to man. He is all the light we need to bring us into God’s holy presence. The only one who can ever reveal the perfect likeness of God is His own Son. He leads us to the Father.

The presence of the cloud was an ever-present witness that God was with them. He was always near. He is the protector for everyone who comes to Him. He has His hands around and under us.

Jesus is the light in the Gospel of John (1:4-9, 12; 3:19; 9:5; 12:46). Jesus is the divine light—the holiness of God. “Light” is the emblem of holiness and righteousness. Christ is the wisdom, righteousness and sanctification and redemption from God.

In the opening section of John chapter eight we see the Light of the world indicating the righteousness of God before the Pharisees who drug a woman in before Him. How powerful that holy light shone when He said, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” Her accusers were cut to the core with convicting power of God. The holiness of Jesus Christ as the Light of the world smote their sin-darkened hearts. The power of the light cut to the core and they departed one by one. “Go and sin no more,” were the words of a righteous God. He did not say go in peace and sin some more.

Jesus is the unique light of the world in the midst of depraved and corrupt mankind. He came and lived the one perfect life which still convicts sinful man. Isaiah 42:6 reads, “I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I will also hold you by the hand and watch over you, and I will appoint you as a covenant to the people, as a light to the nations.” In 49:6 the prophet quotes the Lord, “It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations so that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” In deed, Jesus is the “sun of righteousness” (Malachi 4:2). Jesus shines brightly in a spiritually dark world. The light conquers the opposing power called “darkness.” Light triumphs over darkness. John opens his gospel with the deity of Jesus Christ and therefore the light of His essential character and attributes (1:4-12). The apostle tells us the Logos is “the light.” Jesus said, “the light is come into the world,” and those who believe on Christ come to the light and those who will not believe shun it (3:18-21).

 Exodus13:21 And the Lord went before them in a pillar - In the two first stages, it was enough that God directed Moses whither to march; he knew the country, and the road; but now they are come to the edge of the wilderness, they would have occasion for a guide, and a very good guide they had, infinitely wise, kind, and faithful, the Lord went up before them; The Shechinah or appearance of the divine Majesty, which was a precious manifestation of the eternal Word, who in the fulness of time was to be made flesh, and dwell among us. Christ was with the church in the wilderness, 1Cor 10:9. What a satisfaction to Moses and the pious Israelites, to be sure that they were under a divine conduct? They need not fear missing their way who were thus led, nor being lost who were thus directed; they need not fear being benighted, who were thus illuminated, nor being robbed, who were thus protected. And they who make the glory of God their end, and the word of God their rule, the spirit of God the guide of their affections, and the providence of God the guide of their affairs, may be confident that the Lord goes before them, as truly is he went before Israel in the wilderness, though not so sensibly. They had sensible effects of God's going before them in this pillar. For, It led them the way in that vast howling wilderness, in which there was no road, no track, no way - marks through which they had no guides. When they marched, this pillar went before them, at the rate that they could follow, and appointed the place of their encampment, as infinite Wisdom saw fit; which eased them from care, and secured them from danger, both in moving, and in resting. It sheltered them from the heat by day, which at sometimes of the year was extreme: And it gave them light by night when they had occasion for it.

In the New Testament, “walking in the light” is directly related to following Jesus, who said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:2). While this verse does not directly say, “Walk in the light, i.e., Jesus,” it does pointedly warn of doing the opposite; therefore, those who follow Jesus are “walking in the light.”

To “walk” is, in short, to live one’s life. One’s lifestyle or way of life can be considered a “walk.” The word also indicates progress. Walking is related to growth; it is taking steps toward maturity. “Light” in the Bible can be a metaphor for life, happiness, righteousness, or understanding. The Bible is clear that light comes from the Lord God, the “Father of the heavenly lights” (James 1:17). He is the opposite of evil. Putting it all together, “walking in the light” means “growing in holiness and maturing in the faith as we follow Jesus.”

The apostle John repeatedly used the “light” metaphor in relation to the Messiah. For example, he writes that Jesus is “the true light that gives light to every man” (John 1:9). In 1 John 1:7 he says, “If we walk in the light as He [God] is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” In verse 5, John says that God’s very nature is light. Jesus, then, is the conduit or provider of light to the world.

Our Christian duty is to live in the light God gives: “Now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8). When we walk in the light, we cannot walk in darkness. Sin is left in the shadows as we let our light “shine before men” (Matthew 5:16). It is God’s plan for us to become more like Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:3).

“Walking in the light” means we consider Jesus as “the light” in this world, and we “walk” in that light by following His precepts, living in His power, and growing in His grace. The believer of Jesus Christ is the reflected light of the Lord Jesus. He is the light of the world and He said His followers are to be “light in the world” (cf. Eph. 5:8; John 12:35-36). The “light of life” is the spiritual, divine light that is possessed only by the “follower” or believer in Jesus Christ. Jesus emphasized: “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

For the Christian the light of Christ actually penetrates him and shall become his personal possession. Our light is His light, a reflection of His light working in and through us.

The figure breaks down as all do when communicating spiritual reality.

This “light of life” is the spiritual life, abiding union with God who is the essence of life.

Darkness and death go together; moreover light and eternal resurrected life also go together.

“God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all.” He sent His Son who is “the light of the world” to give light and eternal life to each person who believes on Him. Each believer is a light shining out in a world of sin, depravity and spiritual darkness.

9. Read and explain Psalm 119:105 in relation to Jesus as the Light. Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet - This begins a new portion of the psalm, indicated by the Hebrew letter Nun (נ n), equivalent to our "n." The margin here is "candle." The Hebrew word means a light, lamp, candle. The idea is, that the word of God is like a torch or lamp ton man in a dark night. It shows him the way; it prevents his stumbling over obstacles, or failing down precipices, or wandering off into paths which would lead into danger, or would turn him away altogether from the path to life. Compare the notes at 2 Peter 1:19.

And a light unto my path - The same idea substantially is presented here. It is a light which shines on the road that a man treads, so that he may see the path, and that he may see any danger which may be in his path. The expression is very beautiful, and is full of instruction. He who makes the word of God his guide, and marks its teachings, is in the right way. He will clearly see the path. He will be able to mark the road in which he ought to go, and to avoid all those by-paths which would lead him astray. He will see where those by-roads turn off from the main path - often at a very small angle, and so that there seems to be no divergence. He will see any obstruction which may lie in his path; any declivity or precipice which may be near, and down which, in a dark night, one might fall. Man needs such a guide, and the Bible is such a guide.

10. Read and relate Matthew 5:14-18 to Jesus as the Light.

Matthew 5:13-16 Ye are the salt of the earth. Mankind, lying in ignorance and wickedness, were as a vast heap, ready to putrify; but Christ sent forth his disciples, by their lives and doctrines to season it with knowledge and grace. If they are not such as they should be, they are as salt that has lost its savour. If a man can take up the profession of Christ, and yet remain graceless, no other doctrine, no other means, can make him profitable. Our light must shine, by doing such good works as men may see. What is between God and our souls, must be kept to ourselves; but that which is of itself open to the sight of men, we must study to make suitable to our profession, and praiseworthy. We must aim at the glory of God.

John Bible Study Lesson 2

John Bible Study Lesson 2

1.       Do some research in commentaries and on the Internet and then list the seven "I AM" statements that most scholars refer to in the book of John.

The I AM statements of Jesus in the book of John:

Jn.8:24 "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am (He), you will die in your sins."

John 6:51:"I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever;"

John 8:23: And He said to them, "You are from beneath; I AM from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.

John 8:12: Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I AM the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

John 8:58 Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."

John 10:9: "I AM the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture."

John 10:11: "I AM the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

John 10:36: "do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'?

John 11:25: Jesus said to her, "I AM the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

John 14:6: Jesus said to him, "I AM the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

John 15:1: "I AM the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.

John 19:2: Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but, 'He said, "I am the King of the Jews."'"

2. Do the same(research & list) for the seven "signs or miracles" that John uses in the book of John.

Miracle 1 (Water Into Wine … 2:1-11)

This one is misunderstood by most and yet results in the disciples putting their faith in the Lord. (This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed His Glory and the disciples put their faith in Him, vs. 11). It seems so insignificant when compared the opening miracles in the other gospels, which involved either casting out demons or curing leprosy. 6 empty jars of stone, normally used to hold water for ceremonial cleansing, are filled with water (by unnamed servants) that the Lord turns into wine. The master of the banquet proclaims this wine to be superior to the wine served earlier.

Look at the symbolism: 6 (the number of man) jars, stone, cold and empty (the heart condition of unregenerate man) filled with water (the living water) by unnamed servants (the Holy Spirit) which is changed to wine (the joy of our salvation). The new wine (new covenant) is superior to the old (old covenant). Remember, the jars of water were for ceremonial cleansing, central to Old Covenant practice. From the stone, cold, dead, and empty way of man’s religion into the living, joyful, relationship symbolized by the wedding celebration … this miracle symbolizes nothing less than the Mission of the Messiah.

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10)

Miracle 2 (Healing the Official’s Son … 4:43-54).

Here’s an act of God’s Grace, pure and simple. There’s no indication of the official’s nationality or background, his religious conviction or his worthiness … only his faith. Implicit in the narrative is the fact that his conversation with the Lord happened on one day and his journey home took place on the next. The man took Jesus at His word and spent the night there before heading back home, believing his son was already healed and there was no longer any cause for concern…v.50.

For by grace you have been saved, through faith … and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God (Ephe. 2:8).

Miracle 3 (The Healing at the Pool of Bethesda … 5:1-9).

Tradition holds that an angel periodically stirred the waters at the Pool of Bethesda. The first one into the water was then healed. Many sick and infirmed waited there by the pool day after day for a chance to be healed. But a cripple can’t get himself to the pool in time. (If he could he wouldn’t need to; since he needs to he can’t … Catch 22.) For 38 years he had tried and failed. 38 years corresponds to the time the Israelites wandered in the wilderness between Egypt and the Promised Land. It was there that they received the Law.

I believe this man’s predicament demonstrates the poverty of the Law, which was never intended to heal us of our infirmities (physical and spiritual) but to show us the need for a Savior … that we’re hopeless and helpless without Him. The fact that this healing took place on the Sabbath further underscores the point. Jesus asked the man, “Do you want to get well” (symbolically, do you want to be released from the bondage of the Law … do you want to quit trying to achieve salvation by your own futile effort)?

Not by works so that no one can boast (Ephe 2:9).

Miracle 4 (The feeding of the 5000 … 6:1-5).

This is perhaps the best known of all the Lord’s miracles and the only one before the resurrection to appear in all 4 gospels. The fact that it occurs around the time of the Passover, that Mark emphasizes the grass where they sat was green (reference to Psalm 23?), there were 5 loaves, 2 fishes and 12 baskets full left over makes this a particularly Jewish miracle. The Messiah is offering to be the source of supernatural provision for the believing remnant of Israel.

I AM the bread of life. He who comes to me will never be hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty (John 6:35)

Miracle 5 (Walking on the Water … 6:16-25).

The 5th miracle is also well known to everyone familiar with the Lord’s ministry. The disciples had labored all night long to row only about half way across the Sea of Galilee, when the Lord passed by them … walking on the water. In Matthew’s account, Peter asked to come to the Lord on the water. “Come” said the Lord. Peter got down out of the boat, standing on the surface of the sea. While focused totally on the Lord Peter walked toward Him. But becoming distracted by the fury of the storm, he looked down, and seeing where he was, began to sink. “Save me Lord”, he cried, and immediately the Lord was there at his side. “O you of little faith,” He said to Peter, “Why did you doubt?”

Peter being called out of the boat is a model of the Church, called out of Israel and given supernatural power as long as we are focused on Him and unmindful of the distractions of this world. This miracle is as Gentile in its focus as the feeding of the 5000 was Jewish.

I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I’ve been doing (John 14:12)

Miracle 6 (Healing The Man Born Blind … 9:1-41).

Another model of Israel is shown here, reminiscent of the words of Moses in the wilderness. “Your eyes have seen all that the Lord did in Egypt to Pharaoh, to all his officials and to all his land. With your own eyes you saw those great trials, those miraculous signs and great wonders. But to this day the Lord has not given you a mind that understands or eyes that see or ears that hear” (Deut 29:2-4.)

While this miracle is accomplished early in Chapter 9, the balance of the narrative clearly shows how much more spiritual discernment this blind beggar had than the learned officials of the religion, who studied all their lives but lacked the supernatural wisdom of the Holy Spirit, given to the blind man at the moment of belief (Ephe. 1:13-14). This miracle demonstrates the giving of the Holy Spirit to the believer, irrespective of intellect, education, position or stature. Reminds me of the opening verses of Isaiah 9 “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light”.

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name will teach you all things (John 14:26).
The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, they are foolishness to him and he cannot understand them because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Cor. 2:14)

Miracle 7 (Raising Lazarus From The Dead … 11:1-44).

The last miracle before the resurrection shows the fulfillment of Our Lord’s promise to all who believe in His name, as Lazarus is called out of the grave and restored from death to life.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)

3. Read John 20:31. What is the stated purpose of the book?

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:31.

There were other signs and proofs of our Lord's resurrection, but these were committed to writing, that all might believe that Jesus was the promised Messiah, the Saviour of sinners, and the Son of God; that, by this faith, they might obtain eternal life, by his mercy, truth, and power. May we believe that Jesus is the Christ, and believing may we have life through his name.

4. Read the account of the "burning bush" in Exodus 3. What is this (His Name) saying about God? Burning Bush

       God hears the complaints of Israel and tells Moses to intervene, via the burning bush on Horeb. God tells Moses that God will bring Israel to the area of Canaan out of Egypt; God will do it through Moses. Moses doubts his ability, but God reassures him that He will be with him. God names Himself "I AM." Moses is to gather the elders and tell them of God's plan: they are to get Pharaoh's permission to leave "temporarily" to sacrifice to God, three days away. (3) Moses doubts his ability, but God gives him some miraculous signs to perform: a rod that becomes a snake, a leprous and then cleansed hand, and turning the river to blood. Moses still doubts, so God, angry, appoints his brother Aaron to be the main speaker. Moses finally agrees and returns from Midian. God gives Moses a message for Pharaoh: if Pharaoh does not let Israel, God's firstborn, out of Egypt, then God will kill Pharaoh's firstborn son. On the way, Moses meets Aaron and tells him the plan. In Egypt, they tell their people, who believe after seeing the signs. (4)

       Moses and Aaron give Pharaoh the message. But Pharaoh doesn't believe them or care about God, and instead thinks the Hebrews are trying to slack off from making bricks. So Pharaoh makes it even harder; the Hebrews have to find their own straw for bricks, but their quotas remain as high as ever. The Israelites get mad at Moses for this, and Moses complains to God. (5) God tells Moses to reassure the Israelites, giving him the words to say, but when Moses says them, the people are too discouraged to believe him. Moses takes this as proof of his bad oratorical skills. Then there is a genealogy leading up to Moses, and a reminder that Moses had complained of his bad oratorical skills from the start. (6)

       God reassures Moses again, and says that He will let Pharaoh's heart remain obstinate in failing to let the Israelites go. God has Moses and Aaron do the rod/snake sign, which doesn't mean much to Pharaoh, because his magicians can do it as a trick. Ditto the river/blood sign. The river becomes putrid for a week. (7)

5. Read John 8:56 - 59. What was Jesus saying who He was? Why were they going to stone Him?  Jesus said “Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad”. Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am! Hence they threw stones at him.
6. Read John 4 the account of the women at the well with Christ. Meditate upon John 4:26 especially the King James translation. What is Jesus telling the women? Jesus saith unto her, I-- am he - Our Lord never spoke in such direct terms concerning himself to his own countrymen; nor even to his own disciples, till a little before his death. The reason given by Bishop Pearce is the following: The woman being alone when Jesus said it, and being a Samaritan, he had no reason to apprehend that the Samaritans, if they knew his claim, would disturb his ministry before the time of his suffering came; which seems to have been the reason why he concealed it so long from his own countrymen.

7. Read John 3:1-21. Relate the discussion of light in verses 19-21 to John declaring that Jesus is light in John 1:4.

John 19:21:Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate,.... Who were not only informed of this inscription, but might read it themselves, for they were present at the crucifying of Christ, and mocked at him as he hung on the tree; these, when they read the title, were greatly offended at it, partly because it was doing too great an honour to Jesus to call him the King of the Jews: and partly because it fixed a public brand of infamy upon their nation, that a king of theirs should be crucified: wherefore they went to Pilate and addressed him, saying,

write not the King of the Jews: because they did not own him for their king, which this title seemed to suggest, nor had he in their opinion any right to such a character; wherefore they desired that in the room of these words he would be pleased to put the following,

but that he said, I am King of the Jews; that so he might be thought to be a seditious person and a traitor; one that laid claim to the temporal crown and kingdom of Israel, and one that suffered justly for attempts of that kind.

John 1:4:In him was life. He had life in himself, and hence is a fountain from whence life flows to man. Death could not hold him, because in him is life, and he became the Resurrection and the Life (Joh 11:25) for us.

The life was the light of men. The life that Christ bestows enlightens men. He is the Light of the World (Joh 8:12 9:5). His light chases away the darkness of the earth, though, when John wrote, the darkness did not receive it. Men, in darkness, had eyes and saw not. All history demonstrates that Christ is the Light of the World; every redeemed soul recognizes the fact.

8. Read "1 John chapter 1". Relate this to John in the book of John declaring that Jesus is light and life. Jesus is the light of life (vv. 4-9)

Let’s read verse 4, “In him was life, and that life was the light of men.” There are two fundamental philosophical propositions men have asked: “Where am I from?” and “Who am I?” What do you think about yourself?

First, Jesus is the life giver. To the first question, most frequent answer is “I came from my parents.”  Our physical lives came from our parents and their lives from their parents. Our lives stemmed from the first man Adam who was created by the Creator God. Knowing that Jesus is the Creator, we know that our lives came from Jesus. In other words, Jesus is the origin of life. Jesus is the source of all life. We need to respect and honor our parents. But serving our parents cannot be our ultimate purpose. Let’s read verse 4 again, “In him was life, and that life was the light of men.” This verse declares that every person’s life is inextricably linked to Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance fir us to do.”We live because Jesus said, "Live.'" We did not choose to live, but Jesus, in his transcendent wisdom, bestowed life upon us. Therefore, life is a gift to enjoy as well as a responsibility to fulfill Jesus' divine purpose. Our lives are precious no matter who we are. The live of cute boy like Luke, of the blossoming young students like you and of a middle-aged man like me are all meaningful and significant. People seek happiness by earning money and enjoying bits of things without Jesus.  But nothing in the world can satisfy the deep longings of the human heart. Solomon was a king who enjoyed all kinds of luxuries and wisdom, but he said in Ecclesiastes 1:14 “I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”  Without Jesus, the source of life, our lives become meaningless.

Moreover, the ‘life’ in Jesus is a translation of Greek ‘zoe,’ meaning eternal life. Whatever visible life we see is not the complete life we have in Christ. What we experience in this world is a small portion of the life we have in Christ. Our physical lives experience growth, illness and aging. All the glory in our present life is temporary. In Christ Jesus we have eternal life from God—the life that is not corruptible or perishable but glorious. We will be like the angels. This life is most precious of all. We should praise the owner of our life. 

What can really satisfy the human soul?  The answer is found in the first two words of verse 4, “In him.”  “In him” means to know Jesus and to be with Jesus. “In him” means a personal relationship with Christ.  Jesus Christ is the living God.  We can approach him anywhere at any time.  He accepts us as his own children and makes us a part of God’s family. When we have a personal relationship with him, he breathes his own life into us and comes to dwell in us through the Holy Spirit.  How can we start a personal relationship with Jesus?  It begins when we believe in him.

Second, Jesus is the true light. Look at verse 4 again. “In him was life, and that life was the light of men.” Jesus is the light of men. Light is a symbol of goodness. It connotes understanding, direction, and joy. But verse 5 says, “The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” The Apostle John sees the world dark apart from Jesus. When God made the Garden of Eden, Adam was in the light because God was with him. But when he fell to Satan’s temptation, darkness came over him. Darkness is a world under the power of sin and death. Darkness is a world full of deceit, ignorance and despair. Without Jesus man has no light.

God is omnipresent. But Satan, the prince of darkness, continually invites us to darkness with things of the world. Those who live in darkness seem to have goals and direction. They may look happy and successful.  But there is a spiritual world that they do not see. They don’t understand where they came from and where they are going. They don’t know the purpose and meaning in life. We who are in Jesus may not have much understanding either. We make a lot of mistakes and fail to understand the truth.  But Jesus is with us. Jesus is taking care of us. Jesus goes ahead of us and guides us through life until we reach our ultimate destination in the kingdom of God.  Jesus says in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Look at verses 6-8. “There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.” Because the world did not understand the light, God sent a witness John the Baptist. He was not the light but a voice of a witness to the true light.  Let’s read verse 9. “The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.” Jesus is the true light. There are so many lights in the world­­¾ glowing fireflies, candle lights, street lights and fluorescent lights, and so on. But sun light is completely different from these in power and universality. As the sun light is essential for growth of all plants and for protection from infections, the light of Jesus helps us to continually grow in spirit until we enter the eternal kingdom. Our spirit in the darkness becomes filthy and powerless.

The dark world fills people with sorrow. One person may think he is too skinny; another thinks she is too big.  Some have experienced personal tragedy; others have been hurt by others. Some may suffer from guilty conscience for shameful sins. If a person does not address these elements of sorrow, darkness eventually spreads throughout his life. But Jesus is the true light that removes all the elements of darkness. Jesus gives us true comfort. Jesus’ light is effective to every man. Jesus enlightens us to understand God’s will upon us and find our purpose in life. When we know the precious meaning of our lives, we can truly please him. In him we can live a powerful life that bears much fruit. Though we are weak and make mistakes, in Jesus’ light, we are sanctified to be like him. Let all of us bring our sorrows and problems to Jesus the true light to be solved. Let’s receive his light every moment through Jesus’ words.

9. Read John 17:17. How does this relate to John saying earlier that Jesus is truth (John 1:17)? Discuss Jesus and the "Word of God" being declared as truth. What relationship is the "Word of God" to the "Law of God"? John 17:17-19 Christ next prayed for the disciples, that they might not only be kept from evil, but made good. It is the prayer of Jesus for all that are his, that they may be made holy. Even disciples must pray for sanctifying grace. The means of giving this grace is, through thy truth, thy word is truth. Sanctify them, set them apart for thyself and thy service. Own them in the office; let thy hand go with them. Jesus entirely devoted himself to his undertaking, and all the parts of it, especially the offering up himself without spot unto God, by the eternal Spirit. The real holiness of all true Christians is the fruit of Christ's death, by which the gift of the Holy Ghost was purchased; he gave himself for his church, to sanctify it. If our views have not this effect on us, they are not Divine truth, or we do not receive them by a living and a working faith, but as mere notions.

John1:17 The law - Working wrath and containing shadows: was given - No philosopher, poet, or orator, ever chose his words so accurately as St. John. The law, saith he, was given by Moses: grace was by Jesus Christ. Observe the reason for placing each word thus: The law of Moses was not his own. The grace of Christ was. His grace was opposite to the wrath, his truth to the shadowy ceremonies of the law. Jesus - St. John having once mentioned the incarnation {Joh 1:14,) no more uses that name, the Word, in all his book. The Word of God is the name, identity, title and honour given to Jesus alone. This is who He is. As The Word of God He is the promise of God and the fulfillment of that promise. Because Jesus always was, and always will be The Word of God, the very reputation of God was dependant on Jesus fulfilling the promise of salvation. To call anything else The Word (or word) of God takes this away from Him.

The Mosaic Law was God’s law for the nation of Israel under the old covenant. The "law of Christ" is God’s law for Christians in the New Testament era.

10. Meditate upon your response to the above questions. Who do you say that Jesus is? Do you see a relationship to Light, Love, Law, and Light? Discuss this relationship as you see it.

Jesus is never recorded in the Bible as saying the precise words, “I am God.” That does not mean, however, that He did not proclaim that He is God. Take for example Jesus’ words in John 10:30, “I and the Father are one.” We need only to look at the Jews’ reaction to His statement to know He was claiming to be God. They tried to stone Him for this very reason. “… you, a mere man, claim to be God” (John 10:33). The Jews understood exactly what Jesus was claiming—deity. Notice that Jesus does not deny His claim to be God. When Jesus declared, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30), He was saying that He and the Father are of one nature and essence. John 8:58 is another example. Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I am!” The response of the Jews who heard this statement was to take up stones to kill Him for blasphemy, as the Mosaic Law commanded them to do (Leviticus 24:15).

John reiterates the concept of Jesus’ deity: “the Word was God” and “the Word became flesh” (John 1:1, 14). These verses clearly indicate that Jesus is God in the flesh. Acts 20:28 tells us, “Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.” Who bought the church—the church of God—with His own blood? Jesus Christ. Acts 20:28 declares that God purchased His church with His own blood. Therefore, Jesus is God!

Thomas the disciple declared concerning Jesus, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). Jesus does not correct him. Titus 2:13 encourages us to wait for the coming of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ (see also 2 Peter 1:1). In Hebrews 1:8, the Father declares of Jesus, “But about the Son He says, ’Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.’” The Father refers to Jesus as “O God” indicating that Jesus is indeed God.

In Revelation, an angel instructed the apostle John to only worship God (Revelation 19:10). Several times in Scripture Jesus receives worship (Matthew 2:11, 14:33, 28:9, 17; Luke 24:52; John 9:38). He never rebukes people for worshiping Him. If Jesus were not God, He would have told people to not worship Him, just as the angel in Revelation did. There are many other verses and passages of Scripture that argue for Jesus’ deity.

The most important reason that Jesus has to be God is that if He is not God, His death would not have been sufficient to pay the penalty for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2). A created being, which Jesus would be if He were not God, could not pay the infinite penalty required for sin against an infinite God. Only God could pay such an infinite penalty. Only God could take on the sins of the world (2 Corinthians 5:21), die, and be resurrected, proving His victory over sin and death. The name of that light is Jesus Christ.