Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12–30)

During the Feast of Booths, the final festival on the Levitical calendar (see Lev. 23), there were two ceremonies. The first was as water pouring ceremony where waters were poured out from the temple and allowed to flow down hill. The second was a court lighting ceremony, where one of the temple precincts was lit up all night.

In John 7, we saw how Jesus spoke on the last day of the festival and decreed that the Spirit he would send would fulfill the water pouring ceremony. Now, still on the last day of the festival, Jesus addresses the Pharisees and he says that he is the light of the world. This too matches the Feast of Booths and sets up a lengthy discussion about judgment, sin, and salvation.

On Sunday, we will dig into this debate and with the light of Zechariah 14, we will see how Jesus, as the long awaited king, has come to bring light to the world. But instead of defining light however we choose, we will see that this light has a particular design—namely, judgment and salvation.

To prepare for Sunday, take time to read Zechariah 14 and John 8. Remember, John 8:12 is best understood as coming immediately after John 7:52, which puts these two declarations about water (John 7:37-39) and light (John 8:12; cf. John 9:5) on the same day. As we will see, this is not accidental and it helps know more of Christ and how his light give us light for life, decision-making, and rendering judgment about matters that require discernment.

As the Lord allows, I look forward to seeing you Sunday, when we will also begin two new Sunday School classes—one on parenting (in the sanctuary) and another on engaging culture (downstairs in Room 4).

For His Glory and your joy in Jesus,
Pastor David
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Discussion & Response Questions: John 8:12 - 30
1. How well do you do in making judgments? Why is it important that we have a perfect judge?
2. How does John 8:12 (“I am the light of the world”) relate to the theme of judgment that fills John 8:12–30?
3. How does the Feast of Booths provide a helpful background for John 8?
4. What were the Jews looking for, expecting, hoping for when they celebrated the festival with lights? See Zechariah 14 (esp. vv. 6–9).
5. How does Jesus bring light? What does his light do?
6. In what ways does John 8:12–8:30 continue the courtroom motif in John’s Gospel?
7. How does Jesus bear witness about himself? Why does it matter that there are two witnesses (v. 17)?
8. How does this announcement of his death (vv. 21, 28) relate to his kingship?
9. How does that light help us make decisions and judgments today?
10. How can you walk in Christ’s light? What will walking in that light produce?