Hiking with Jesus
John 8 enhances our understanding of walking with Jesus Christ. Jesus invites: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Light is another way to speak about fullness. Walking is often a metaphor of living.
Thus, Jesus is encouraging us to daily possess light and life in Him.
Jesus affirms, “I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me” (John 8:28-29). How amazing — Jesus get His words from God the Father! John 8 features a heated debate between Jesus and His detractors. Every round includes:
- Attack: “Jesus, you can’t be speaking for God!”
- Defense: “I speak the words of the Father!”
The pressure increases each round and leads to Christ’s opponents grabbing rocks to bombard Him. Being the Son of God is a dangerous job, but Jesus never backs down. How far is He willing to go in obedience to His Father? Even to being lifted up on the cross.
No wonder He calls us to model His behavior by taking up our crosses and following Him.
In John 8:31-36, Jesus urges those who believe in Him to remain in His word. The Greek verb Jesus used is meno. It means to remain, abide, stand fast, endure. When we remain in Christ’s word, we will truly be His disciples, not play actors or counterfeits. We will possess God’s truth, and His truth will possess us. As a result, we won’t be slaves to sins, but sons and daughters of God, who remain in His household forever.
Thus to remain in Jesus’ word is all about relationship with God. Do you desire to remain in this relationship fully and walk with Jesus perpetually? Or are partially and occasionally good enough? Shouldn’t we aim to be “free indeed” (v. 36) as often as possible?
This is post #12 in an ongoing dialog about the Gospel of John occurring online at www.philbickel.com, Facebook, and Youtube. You’re invited to join the conversation.
The catalyst for the dialogue is a free 97-page ebook by Phil Bickel, Fullness or Fraction in the Gospel of John, which introduces readers to 10 essential building blocks of life in Christ.