The basics of Christianity
Over the past few weeks, we have been studying from the book of John and learning what it means for us to live in obedience to God. In today’s passage from John 8:12-30, we will learn two basic points of Christianity. These two points will be crucial for us as we grow in our faith and obedience.
1. Christianity is about having humility (v.12-20)
In this passage, Jesus was still at the Feast of the Tabernacle. This festival was a time when the Jews were highly expectant of the Messiah to return and light was an important symbol in the Feast of Tabernacles. One part of the festival was an event called the lamp lighting ceremony where a chief priest would light up three large torches in the temples. They would remain alight throughout the entire night so that there was no darkness. The Jews at this time most likely believed that when the Messiah comes it would be similar to this event and that there would be no more figurative darkness.
In verse 12, Jesus says ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’ In saying this, Jesus effectively told the Pharisees that they were living by a false light. He invited the Jews to stop living by their current light, based on traditions and ceremonies, and to start living by Jesus’ light.
For us, it is an important reminder that salvation does not come from following traditions, being spiritual or understanding theology. Salvation only comes through Jesus. We can not save ourselves, no matter how religious we look. We need to have the humility to understand that we will never be good enough on our own. Only Jesus will make us good enough.
Reflection Questions:
A basic belief in Christianity is that only Jesus can save us. Why is it important for us to recognise this as truth?
The Bible is much like a guide for believers with instructions on how to live rightly. Why is it important for Christians to practice what they preach?
What do you find difficult about practicing what you preach?
2. Christianity is about believing that Jesus is God (v21-30)
In verse 21, Jesus says ‘I am going away, and you will look for me. But you cannot go where I am going, and you will die with your sins unforgiven.’ Jesus is essentially saying that the Jews will continue to look for and wait for the Messiah. But, they will not find the Messiah as Jesus himself is in fact him. As Christians, it is important to know that Jesus is God for a number of reasons.
Firstly, if Jesus is God, we can really know God. In John 14:9, Jesus says ‘Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.’
Secondly, because Jesus was not just a man, but God himself, we can be certain of our salvation as it was God himself who died for our sins.
Thirdly, the broken relationship between humanity and God has been reconciled as we can be sure that it was God himself who mended the relationship.
Lastly, we should worship Jesus because Jesus is God just as how the Father and the Holy Spirit is God. Jesus, therefore, deserves our praise and worship.
Unless we believe that Jesus is God, we will never be saved and will never have a relationship with God.
Reflection Questions:
As Christians, it’s pivotal to our faith that we believe Jesus was fully man and fully God. Why is is important to hold to this belief?
Knowing what you now know about Jesus, how does that make you feel?
Dear God,
May you give us the humility to understand that we will never be good enough on our own. We apologise for the times we have tried to live by our own light and traditions. Help us to see and live by the light that is through Jesus. We thank you that by understanding that Jesus is God, we may have an eternal relationship with you.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.