Lesson for May 3
I Am the Light of the World (Gospel Doctrine manual lesson 15)
Introduction
John 8.12: "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
While you study, consider listening to O Light of Life by Mack Wilberg, performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
In class this week we will look at two questions:
1) Who is Jesus?
2) How does Jesus relate to us?
First, Who is Jesus?
John 7
This chapter gives us a glimpse into how people perceive Jesus. Jesus was--and still is--troubling to anyone who encounters him, because he asks us to give up the way we see the world and to put him at the center of our lives. In this chapter we see methods people adopt to try to explain him away.
Identify the different ways people attempt to explain who Jesus is in this chapter. How might you respond to the various accusations leveled at Jesus?
John 8.12-30
What does Christ mean when he says he is the light of the world? How is this description related to Old Testament images of God's presence (it might help to notice where he is when he makes this declaration)? How does light help us? How can it be dangerous? What does thinking of Christ as "light" teach about overcoming sin and about the role he can play in our lives?
Consider the following scriptures to help understand Christ as the light of the world: Exodus 34.29-35, 2 Cor. 3.13-18, 3 Nephi 19.25.
John 8.31-59
Here, Christ explains again who he is to a group of believers. Yet when he is done speaking they pick up stones to kill him. What does he say that is so offensive? What are the consequences of that statement for us?
Second, how does Jesus relate to us?
John 8.1-11
As you read John, remember the purpose John gives for everything he included in the book: "Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (John 20.30-31).
How does the story of the woman taken in adultery encapsulate the core of the gospel? Why is the order of Christ's statements ("Neither do I condemn thee. Go and sin no more.") significant? Who are your accusers? How does Christ show his meekness in this passage? How does he relate to the woman and to her accusers?
Final thoughts, post lesson...
What amazes me about these chapters is the contrast between Christ's grandeur on the one hand ("Before Abraham was, I am"), and his mercy and humility on the other. He insists that people see him as the Creator, as someone powerful enough to crush the entire earth with his little finger, then, in the beginning of chapter 8, he restrains all this power and focuses on saving a single, sinful person. This is a beautiful summary of the gospel.
If you have questions or thoughts as you read, feel free to comment below.
A thought on Sven's comment. Didn't Christ give the higher law to Moses and because of the wickedness of the Jews the law was replaced with the lower law?
ReplyDeleteAlso regarding Sven's question: He says in Matthew 5 "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill." - Jim H
ReplyDeleteI am not sure Christ actually denounces the law of Moses... he rails against all the rabbinic rules that are added and built up around the law. He frequently challenges rules about Sabbath behavior and divorce, for example. But he doesn't say, either on the Sermon on/off the Mount or in what we read yesterday, "Adultery is OK now that I'm here." Instead, he is interested in the heart-change that is behind the behavior and focuses on the meaning of the law instead of the law itself. "Don't commit adultery, yes, but don't even lust after someone who isn't your spouse." In other words, Jesus says, "keep the commandments I gave Moses with full purpose of heart. Don't do it just to keep rules, though, do it because you have a relationship with the Ruler who gave those laws. Do it because your life and heart and affirmation are centered on me, not on your own righteousness. Do it because I love you. Then let that love, let my forgiveness and non-condemnation, transform your heart so that you keep the law how I intended it to be kept." (Paul goes into this in some depth in Roman 7 & 8...)
ReplyDeleteChrist is hoping we see the law not as a checklist, but instead as something we fulfill out of love for Him and love for our neighbor.
Ultimately, through his atonement and death, Christ allows us to have access to salvation directly without the rites of the law of Moses. This is why the veil of the temple tears when he dies (Matthew 27.51). Through Christ we now have unmediated access to the light and power of God. And I think the passage we studied yesterday implies that none of us can keep the law perfectly, and that salvation and transformation come through a relationship to Jesus, though a change of heart...