After healing the man born blind in chapter 9, the conversation that Jesus had with the Pharisees centred upon the imagery of shepherds and sheep. The Pharisees’ actions in throwing out the man proved that they were not shepherds of God’s people. Jesus, however, claimed to be the one who truly loves the sheep by laying down his life for them. There is only one Good Shepherd who saves all who come to Him in faith. There is no other way of entering into the Kingdom of God.
John
‘Healed eyes and hardened hearts’ (John 9:1-41)
After declaring that he was the ‘light of the world’ in chapter 8, Jesus then illustrated this by means of healing the man born blind in chapter 9. Though the man received his sight and his spiritual sight, the miracle not only confirmed Jesus’ claims to be the Messiah, but also revealed the hardened state of the hearts of the Pharisees who could only dismiss the miracle on the grounds that it had been done on a Sabbath. In doing so, they ignored the testimony of the formerly blind man which was, ‘I only know that I was blind, but now I can see’.
‘Hot topics – straight from the mouth of Jesus’ (John 8:31-59)
In John 8:31-59 Jesus was unafraid to speak openly about His claims to the Pharisees even though it cut across their understanding of truth. In a long debate between Jesus and the Pharisees, Jesus made some very significant claims as to His divinity, especially claiming to have lived long before Abraham, and that though the Pharisees claimed to be descended from Abraham, this did not make them right with God. Salvation comes through faith in Jesus not by the process of birth.
‘When the Light confronted the darkness’ (John 8:12-30)
In John 8:12-30, Jesus claimed to be ‘The Light of the world’. In doing so, He made clear his identity as the Messiah, pointed out the darkness that lived in the hearts of those who refused to believe in Him, and encouraged those who believe him to follow Him in the light He gives. Jesus also taught that His disciples are also ‘the light of the world’ who are in the world to reflect His light to many who walk in darkness.
‘Righteousness received by grace’ (John 8:1-11)
Russ Grinter brings our attention to the day they brought a woman caught in the act of adultery to Jesus with the intent on having her stoned to death. This put Jesus into a trap. Releasing her without judgement would mean he was soft on sin. However to condemn her would have been inconsistent with his purpose. Instead, Jesus chose to forgive her and pay for her sins himself and told her to ‘sin no more’. Where the Law demands our judgement, Jesus gives grace that completely covers the sins of the guilty.
‘No-one ever spoke like this man’ (John 7:25-52)
At the Feast of the Tabernacles in Jerusalem, Jesus found himself in ‘the hot seat’. The religious authorities wanted to kill him and the crowds were divided about who He was. However Jesus spoke and made His identity clear to all, gave an indication of His departure from earth and spoke of the ministry of the Holy Spirit who would come and fill our greatest thirst. Despite facing such tension, Jesus issued a challenge to all who heard him to believe in Him and find the true source satisfaction in life.
‘Avoiding the dangerous trap of compromise’ (John 7:1-24)
When Jesus’ brothers encouraged him to attend the Jewish celebration of the Feast of the Tabernacles in Jerusalem, they did so for the wrong reasons. Their hope was that Jesus would make a name for himself and become some kind of celebrity figure. However, when Jesus attended the Feast, he did so on the quiet, yet continued to teach about himself quite openly. This led to a division among the crowds. Some thought him a madman, others said he was a good man. Varieties of opinions about Jesus continue to cause confusion today. In the midst of this uncertainty Jesus made his identity clear and remained determined to do the will of God and not the will of man.
‘That watershed moment – for Jesus and the Twelve’ (John 6:60-71)
When the crowds began to walk away from Jesus because of a hard saying, the Twelve were asked if they would also like to leave him. It was a watershed moment for the disciples. Peter replied that they had found something unique in Jesus – that His words had eternal quality – and that they could never leave him. Jesus, however, pointed out that one of the Twelve (Judas) was a traitor. Some who heard Jesus dismissed his words. Others hung on to them as life itself. Judas heard but did not believe. In which group do you belong?
‘Rejected! Why they turned from Jesus – then and now’ (John 6:35-59)
After Jesus declared that he was the ‘bread of life’ many who heard this claim rejected him and his message. There are a number of reasons why. Not all the people who heard him had heard the full story about him. Others had difficulty with some of his words and claims. However Jesus was not fazed by their rejection of Him. He knew their hearts were hard. His words and claims remain. The one who fully explores them and trusts Him will find much more than mere words, but life itself.
‘Found! That elusive sense of satisfaction’ (John 6:22-35)
After Jesus fed the 5,000, many people followed him with the intent of receiving more free food. To these people, Jesus said that he was the ‘bread of life’, and by doing so he highlighted the emptiness of life without him and the satisfaction that comes to those who believe in Him. Those who believe in him receive daily spiritual sustenance and best of all, eternal life!