2. Jesus: The Bread of Life
John 8:12-20
p. 986

3. Intro A text on light… … an obscure text nonetheless!
A few points to note to get the context:
The situation is already tense
Debate and division among the Jews about Jesus

4. An Exclusive Claim Jesus offers no alternative:
He is not one light but the light
Light of the world: no way out!
==> We either follow him or walk in darkness.

5. Walk in Darkness A metaphor for: Stumbling
Taking the wrong way (i.e. injustice)
Being destroyed
Ignorance – “accidental” injustice
Nastiness – Wilful injustice

6. Walk in the Light Jesus is the only light
He is a light that gives life
==> The only way of life is to follow Jesus
Concrete implications:
An honest look at oneself (1 Jn 1:7-10)
A radical cure (1 Jn 2:3-5)
A wonderful goal (1 Jn 2:9-11)

7. An Honest Look at Oneself
(Confess our sins)
“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and
You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
(8:31-32)
Accept our shortcomings
Accept we are helpless by ourselves:
We need to be set free
Not only confess, but also repent (ex:
Zacchaeus)

8. A Radical Cure (Keep His Words) Called to keep His words…
Not mainly about morality or service but:
Fear
Money
Seeking the Kingdom first
Marriage and relationships
Prayer and trust
Caring for the poor and the weak …

9. A Radical Cure (Keep His Words) Jesus’ words represents the essential
They are not suggestions! These things is the only way to life…
Grounding all our life on them is what it means to follow Jesus
When these things are set on right, everything else follows naturally

10. A Radical Cure (Keep His Words)
“Why do you not understand what I say?
It is because you cannot bear to hear my word.”
(8:43)
Our capacity to understand and accept his word reveals where we stand
Jesus’ light truly reveals our heart

11. A Wonderful Goal (Love our neighbours)
“To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
(Jn 1:12)
Jesus’ light gives life, his life
His life is empowering
“everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world.” (1 Jn 5:4)

12. A Wonderful Goal (Love our neighbours)
“Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”
(1 Jn 2:6)
The goal is to love as Jesus loved
This is what it means to follow him …

13. Conclusion Al this happened at the Feast of Tabernacles
==> great celebration with light
This is also the kind of joy that Jesus came to bring