The Gospel of John: Come and See Darkness vs Light

Sunday we will move back into our study of the gospel of John. Remember that John wants you to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, so that you can have eternal life (Jn. 20:31). As an author, John uses the dialogue between Jesus and others to communicate the essentials of faith in God. The dialogue challenges our view of “self” and exposes our need of Jesus.

In our text, Jesus says that anyone who follows him will no longer walk in darkness. In order to move toward Jesus, a person has to understand that they are actually walking in darkness. All the philosophies of our world are only enlightened forms of darkness that turn us in toward ourselves and away from our Creator God. The Pharisees represent a view of self turned inward through religion, unable to see themselves in need of grace.

Sunday, we’ll begin to examine John’s presentation of Jesus’ offer made in the treasury of the temple, symbolic of the treasures of this world and our attempts to satisfy God through human effort. As you prepare for worship, consider your own sense of self in the world. Who are you and what do you need?