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What is it that keeps people from believing the truth? If something is true, why would we not believe and embrace the truth?
Pride and stubbornness are probably the most obvious reasons. Cynicism and skepticism ought to be at the top of the list of reasons why truth isn’t believed. Pride and stubbornness are just that. But cynicism and skepticism usually develop for a reason.
But is there a deeper, darker reason for unbelief and resistance to accept and believe the truth? Yes. This is revealed in the gospels as an undercurrent of opposition towards Jesus. This opposition developed and increased as the Lord moved closer to His appointed time to bring redemption for humanity on the cross.
Pride, stubbornness, arrogance, cynicism, skepticism and more fuel the Jewish leaders’ resistance to Jesus, His teaching, and the miraculous works He did. Only two of the Pharisees, that we know of, were willing to hear and believe Jesus.
Nicodemus came to Jesus in the cover of night to seek Jesus out and try to sort out who He was. Much later, after Jesus’ crucifixion, Joseph of Arimathea is revealed to be a believer and secret follower of Jesus.
But what held these men back from openly being followers of Jesus? Could it be the very reasons any of us have when we find it difficult to believe? What stands in the way for any of us to abandon all to believe in and follow Jesus at any cost, as the apostles and many other believers did?
Scripture
Jesus spoke to the Pharisees again. He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will have a life filled with light and will never live in the dark.”
The Pharisees said to him, “You testify on your own behalf, so your testimony isn’t true.” Jesus replied to them, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is true because I know where I came from and where I’m going. However, you don’t know where I came from or where I’m going. [vss 12-14]
You judge the way humans do. I don’t judge anyone. Even if I do judge, my judgment is valid because I don’t make it on my own. I make my judgment with the Father who sent me.
Your own teachings say that the testimony of two people is true. I testify on my own behalf, and so does the Father who sent me.” [vss 15-18]
The Pharisees asked him, “Where is your father?” Jesus replied, “You don’t know me or my Father. If you knew me, you would also know my Father.”
Jesus spoke these words while he was teaching in the treasury area of the temple courtyard. No one arrested him, because his time had not yet come. [vss 19-20]
(John 8:12-20 GW)
Key phrase—
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will have a life filled with light and will never live in the dark.”
Digging Deeper...
Review the Scriptures above as you answer the following questions
What does Jesus declare about Himself to the Pharisees?
What does Jesus say about those who choose to follow Him?
What do the Pharisees challenge Jesus about after the Lord’s declaration?
How does Jesus respond to the Pharisees challenge?
Reflection...
As so often happened, the Pharisees challenge Jesus because of their biased perception of Him. Their legalistic resistance to Jesus and His public ministry shrouds them in their own darkness. These men challenge Jesus because of His declaration of being the Light of the World.
The Pharisees understand that Jesus is declaring Himself to be the Messiah but the darkness of their hearts blinds them. He didn’t fit their nationalistic expectations for a Messiah. So they challenge His testimony as unlawful according to their interpretation of the Law. This reaches back to a previous argument the Jewish leaders had with Jesus about judgment and testimonies.
The argumentative discussion evolves into a challenge of the birth origin of Jesus— ”Where is your father?” This part of their challenge continues further later in this chapter. But at this point, Jesus eludes their question by pointing out their spiritual dullness and ignorance.
The Pharisees only think of Jesus’ human father but Jesus speaks to them of His Heavenly Father. Their reasoning is purely human while Jesus speaks of things spiritual in nature. Their resistance and unwillingness to believe what Jesus says and does blind them from understanding the truth.
All of us start out with a blindness to the truth because of our selfish nature. This is the deeper, darker reason for anyone’s denial of the truth. We can only see and understand the truth when He who is the Light of the World reveals it to us.
We need to open our hearts to the Lord so His light can disperse the darkness in us.
Taking it to heart...
Read through the Scripture text again as you consider and answer these questions
What does Jesus say in response to the Pharisees charge that His testimony isn’t true?
Who are the two people Jesus says testify on His behalf?
Why didn’t the Pharisees arrest Jesus and what does it mean that “His time had not yet come"?
How do Jesus’ declaration and promise of being the Light of the World ring true or impact you in a personal way?
Personalize it...
Meditate On This— What stands in the way for you to believe in and follow Jesus at any cost? All of us start out with a blindness to the truth because of our selfish nature. This is the deeper, darker reason for anyone’s denial of the truth. But we must open our hearts to the Lord so His light can disperse the darkness in us.
Prayer Focus— When you find yourself struggling with pride, stubbornness, or cynicism and it interferes with your trust in the Lord, ask Him to shine the light of His truth in your heart. When it seems you are following your selfish nature rather than Jesus, repent—turn to Him and ask the Lord to help you leave the darkness of your own selfishness behind.
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