20: “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know” (John 8:12 – 30)

Jesus Himself proclaimed to be the light of the world, which testifies to the Father. However, they didn’t accept this statement claiming it was one man’s testimony. 

👉 Read John 8:12 - 30

Q1. “I am the (          ) of the world! The one who (          ) me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of (        ).”

“I am the ( light  ) of the world! The one who ( follows ) me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of ( life ).”

A light is shone on something and to reveal it to the world. Jesus came to testify about God. He didn’t testify about Himself. 

To follow the light is to have the light. Then, you won't fall down. Only when you follow Jesus, you will make the right decisions in your life. 

And the nature of the light is life, not prosperity. As you follow Jesus, you have peace in your heart and will inherit eternal life.

In the previous passage, the Lord revealed God’s way of salvation: through the forgiveness of sins. However, the Pharisees didn’t want to follow Jesus, so they tried to kill Jesus, which is walking in darkness. 

Q2. According to the Mosaic law, they needed at least two witnesses to condemn someone. In similar logic, they refused to accept Jesus’ testimony because it was by only one person. How did Jesus defend the validity of His testimony? (14, 16 – 18)

Jesus knew where He came from and where He was going

For any judgment to be valid, it requires the absolute norm. Without knowing God, no one can make a truthful judgment. Only Jesus knew who God was. That’s why His testimony about Himself will be true if He would make one.

Jesus didn’t testify about Himself but about God. That’s why He said, ‘Even if’ in verse 14.

The Father was with Jesus and testifies with Him.

Note that it was for the case of condemnation that the Law requires two witnesses, not the case of testimony or prophecy. 

Jesus didn’t come to judge. However, if He were to judge, His judgment is accurate for the Father agrees to His judgment (16).

Q3. What is the reason for not knowing the Father?   

It is because they didn’t know Jesus.

In other passages, their not knowing the Father caused their unbelief in Jesus. “If anyone wants to do God’s will, he will know about my teaching.” (7:17) “You do not know him.” (7:28)

Knowing Jesus and knowing the Father are related together. 

Q4. (23 – 24) Why could they not come to where Jesus was going?

They are from the world and remain in sin.

Jesus returned to the Father. They could not come to the Father.

“You people are from below; I am from above” (23). Jesus in the Gospel of John explains salvation as an issue of belonging. This is a characteristic of the Gospel of John. “Remain in me, and I will remain in you.” (John 15:4) “They went out from us to demonstrate that all of them do not belong to us.” (1 John 2:19) 

They didn't believe in Jesus (to believe Him as he claims)

Another translation reads, “Unless you believe that I AM he.” The Greek phrase for I AM, ἐγώ εἰμι (ego eimi) reminds us of the Lord’s name revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14, “I AM that I AM.” If we interpret this way, Jesus proclaimed to be the Lord who had revealed to Moses.

However, such an interpretation contradicts with Jesus' attitude that He hasn't testified about Himself but only about God. Thus, it would be better to stick to the literal meaning, the phrase would mean “unless you believe that I am the one sent by God.”

Q5. Though Jesus wanted them to focus on the Father, they kept asking Jesus' qualification by asking, ‘Who are you?’ But Jesus didn’t seek His own way to persuade them. He trusted the way of the Father who was (                ) and only spoke the message of the Father. This is God’s way. When the (                   ) is lifted up, they will know Jesus was sent from God and did everything according to God’s will. Thus, the cross will confirm the (            ) is with the Son.

Jesus didn’t seek His own way to persuade them. He trusted the way of the Father who was ( truthful  ) and only spoke the message of the Father. This is God’s way. When the ( Son of Man ) is lifted up, they will know Jesus was sent from God and did everything according to God’s will. Thus, the cross will confirm the ( Father ) is with the Son.

Jesus could have proved His divine power and identity. That’s why he said, ‘I have many things to say and to judge about you.’ However, He only spoke the words from God and did what pleased God. 

God wanted to reveal His identity not through a powerful judgment but through the sacrifice for sinners. And Jesus conformed to the Father’s plan.

'when you lift up the Son of Man.' They will recognize Jesus is the Messiah from God after they crucify Him. 

If you doubt about Jesus Christ, meditate on the cross! 

If your friend doubts, demonstrate Jesus’ cross through your life. It is God’s way.