Sunday Messages

Jesus, the Light of the World

12Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

13The Pharisees replied, “You are making those claims about yourself! Such testimony is not valid.”

14Jesus told them, “These claims are valid even though I make them about myself. For I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don’t know this about me. 15You judge me by human standards, but I do not judge anyone. 16And if I did, my judgment would be correct in every respect because I am not alone. The Father*8:16 Some manuscripts read The One. who sent me is with me. 17Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact.*8:17 See Deut 19:15. 18I am one witness, and my Father who sent me is the other.”

19“Where is your father?” they asked.

Jesus answered, “Since you don’t know who I am, you don’t know who my Father is. If you knew me, you would also know my Father.” 20Jesus made these statements while he was teaching in the section of the Temple known as the Treasury. But he was not arrested, because his time*8:20 Greek his hour. had not yet come.

The Unbelieving People Warned

21Later Jesus said to them again, “I am going away. You will search for me but will die in your sin. You cannot come where I am going.”

22The people*8:22 Greek Jewish people; also in 8:31, 48, 52, 57. asked, “Is he planning to commit suicide? What does he mean, ‘You cannot come where I am going’?”

23Jesus continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You belong to this world; I do not. 24That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I Am who I claim to be,*8:24 Greek unless you believe that I am. See Exod 3:14. you will die in your sins.”

25“Who are you?” they demanded.

Jesus replied, “The one I have always claimed to be.*8:25 Or Why do I speak to you at all? 26I have much to say about you and much to condemn, but I won’t. For I say only what I have heard from the one who sent me, and he is completely truthful.” 27But they still didn’t understand that he was talking about his Father.

28So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I Am he.*8:28 Greek When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am. “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me. 29And the one who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him.” 30Then many who heard him say these things believed in him.