We have talked about this. Old Judea by the turn of the first century was almost as bad as in some countries we read of today. Women had no rights and were mostly ignored as second rate citizens and wives to be used and abused. We in the Western World read about it in horror and wonder how it can be changed. The rabbi’s did not think it was worth it to teach a woman the law. Still, during this time an extra space was added to the original plan of the Temple – a court for the women, as they were not deemed worthy to worship with the men.
It is very important to know exactly how God views women. He created mankind – man and woman he created them (Genesis 1:27). Many false teachings and distorted perspectives have developed over the years to reduce women to a second rate place in this world. Still the Bible tells of strong women throughout, playing pivotal roles in worship (Miriam), leadership (Deborah), as ruler amongst kings (Esther) as well as evil influence in the lives of kings (Jezebel and Athaliah).
As the people of Israel drifted away from God, so their views on women were influenced by the idolatry of paganism, degrading women. God created men and women equal and never intended that a woman should be submissive, except to her own husband who loved her as his body (Ephesians 5:28,29) and as Christ loves the church for whom He has laid down His life.
Our story of the informal hearing of the woman caught in adultery, takes place in the Court of the Women. Women could not pass the altar except for sacrifice. Around the Court of the Women there was a porch with thirteen chests for the offering shaped like trumpets – narrow at the top and swelling towards the bottom.
Every chest was allocated for a specific offering. The first two were for the half shekel for the upkeep of the Temple. The third and fourth were for the money to buy a dove for sacrifice after childbirth. The fifth was for the wood for the altar, the sixth for the incense, the seventh for the upkeep of the golden vessels and in the remaining six for everything else a person felt the need to contribute.
The Temple treasury was a busy part of the Temple with a constant flow of people – a good place for teaching.
Jesus makes the statement: I am the Light of the World. (John 8:12) The background made it doubly vivid and impressive. The Festival of the Tabernacles had a ceremony on the first night. In the Court of the Women, four gigantic candelabra were lit as soon as darkness came. The dark night made the light travel to every courtyard in Jerusalem and for the whole night the men danced before the Lord in joy and praise.
Jesus is saying that He will light up their lives for more than just a night. His Light will bring joy everlasting. [See the link to a sermon on the discipline of joy at the end of the piece.]
He is the Light of Life: – the light source or the light that gives life. Jesus is both. Jesus is to life what the sun is to plants. He is the source of light as well as the light itself to give life.
The word follow was used for soldiers following the captain on long marches, a slave accompanying his master, in attendance, working. It was also used for accepting a wise counselor’s advice, the expert knowledge or obedience to the laws of the city or state. The same word indicated that one was following a teacher’s line of argument, taking the message into his heart and obeys.
To follow in all these ways is our safe passage through life into the glory of God.
Light was especially important in Jewish thought. To the Jews, the words of Jesus were a claim to be God Himself. (Psalms 27:1; Isaiah 60:19; Job 29:23; Micah 7:8)
The Jews argued that this statement of Jesus had insufficient witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15; 17:6)
Jesus makes a statement about His own authority. (John 8:13-20) He was sure where He came from. Jesus was certain of His closeness to God, the highest authority. Therefore He had the witness of God Himself. God was to be known in the words of Jesus, the deeds and wonders of Jesus, His effect upon men and their reaction on Him. The overwhelming response to Jesus could only have been from the Holy Spirit.
Only God can enable men to see Jesus.
Jesus emphasized His right to judge in love and lastly told the leaders they had no knowledge of God (8:15-18). Their whole history and knowledge of their scriptures should have prepared them for Him. No theology can ever prepare you for recognition of the Son of God, only a humble decision to invite Him into your life. (Luke 24)
Jesus is speaking prophetically (8:21-30). There are opportunities for all men to meet Jesus and an opportunity to miss the opportunity. Time is limited. Because of opportunities there is judgment.
God gives each man enough opportunity to meet Jesus.
Going away meant His return to His Father into the unseen realm.
We can follow in obedience. Only the disobedient cannot go. Pentecost brought the birth of the church and the spiritual dispensation. For the Jew, the depths of hell awaited those who killed themselves – they could not, nor wanted to follow there. Today we can freely discard the shame that accompanies suicide. We know that God in His perfect love, receives those whose desperate moment leads to such a drastic step.
Die for their sin means missing the mark, target. Refusing Jesus would rob you of real life, not entering into the higher life of God here on earth, staying separated from God, hidden from God like Adam. To die in Christ is to be a friend of God and therefore not afraid of death. Without Jesus you will be paying for your own sin in this world. It is your choice.
The word for world is kosmos (8:23). Jesus uses it in His own way.
The kosmos is the changing, transient life that we live; it is all that is human as opposed to all that is divine. [Barclay]
The kosmos is God’s creation, so Jesus bridges the gap. The kosmos is the object of His love and the recipient of His greatest gift. The creator came to the world and the world rejected Him. This rejection shows that something is wrong and that the people suffer blindness with no knowledge of the truth. (John 1:10; 14:17; 17:25; 15:18-19; 16:33)
Christ rights all the wrongs. He can be the answer to everything, but men can refuse His cure.
Jesus speaks the heart of the Father to the world.
We will see the real meaning of Jesus in the Cross, the Resurrection and the will of God when the Holy Spirit teaches us and reminds us of words that didn’t make sense before the Cross. What Jesus said, was only the beginning of a whole new era. (8:28-30)
NEXT TIME: The last words of Chapter 8 (31-55).
A sermon by Bill Johnson of Bethel church: The discipline of JOY
Pebbles of Perpetuity 