Episode123 - "What is truth?" John 18:33-40

John 18:33   So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

 After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. 39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

When the Jews took Jesus to Pilate, Pilate asked him, “You are the king of the Jews?” (literal translation) You might be asking yourself, “Why does he ask this?” It’s not evident from John’s account. In all likelihood, the answer lies in Luke’s account of Jesus’ “trial” before Pilate. In the first few verses of Luke 23, the Jews accused Jesus before Pilate of making himself “Christ, a king.” (Luke 23:1-5) Their entire accusation is to draw Pilate into their plan to execute Jesus. John has already indicated that Pilate doesn’t want anything to do with matters of their religious law. (John 18:31) So, their response of “spinning” their accusation as a political threat, which Luke records, makes perfect sense. That detail was not important to John. 

What John is concerned with is Jesus’ response to Pilate. Notice that he doesn’t immediately give him a direct answer. Instead, Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” (v. 34) It seems to me that what John is doing is showing us that Jesus’ approach to Pilate is no different from his approach to the Samaritan woman at the well. (John 4:1-42) I think Jesus is interested in the spiritual condition of Pilate as he was with the Samaritan woman and her community. By asking Pilate, “Do you believe I am a king?” he is interrupting the Jews’ efforts to use politics as a means to get Pilate to do what they want him to do, and he is leading Pilate to think on a personal level, “Who is this Jesus?”

Pilate’s response reveals his allegiance at this point. “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” (v. 35) Just as the Samaritan woman had difficulty thinking of water in any other way than the liquid in the well, Pilate is stuck on thinking about his job and insurrection. He qualified his position by telling Jesus this is an accusation from your people, the Jews. There is a noticeable resistance to consider Jesus’ question more deeply.

Jesus then gave Pilate a more direct answer to the question he had initially been asked, which I believe, is also intended to invite Pilate into a deeper consideration of Jesus’ identity. Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” To paraphrase Jesus’ explanation, “If my kingdom were of this world, we would be waging war. But, we’re not.” The point in Jesus’ response is to reveal more of Jesus’ purpose and identity to draw Pilate into the conversation. Pilate responds, “So, you are a king?” At this point, what is evident is that Pilate’s concept of a king is that of a military ruler that has absolute authority over his subjects. Pilate’s concern is his job and responsibilities regarding people who would claim or act in defiance of the power of the Roman Empire. 

Jesus responded to Pilate’s assertive question with, “You say that I am a king.” (v. 37) In other words, Jesus tells Pilate, “this is your concept of me of what I am doing.” But, Jesus offered his purpose for why he is on this earth. He continued, “For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” (v. 37b) Do you see what Jesus is doing? He is meeting Pilate where he’s at. He’s engaging Pilate in this conversation to lead him to understand who he is indeed. His purpose is not to lead an army to usurp Rome. His objective is to bear witness to the truth that usurps the darkness in this world.

Pilate’s response to Jesus is, “What is truth?” I suspect this question is more of a statement that Pilate doubts that truth can be known. This question is shared among many within our society today.  Yet, in the introduction of this book, John wrote of Jesus, “Grace and truth (came into existence) by Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17) Those who want to know the truth need to turn to Jesus, listen to his words, and believe in him.

Pilate appeared conflicted between his belief that Jesus was innocent and the threat posed by the crowd. He sees no threat in Jesus and wants to release him. But, he also doesn’t want to listen to Jesus. So, he decides to listen to the crowd. He tells the crowd, I have someone here who is not guilty of a crime and another who is guilty of a crime. Which of them would you like me to release? The people chose the guilty Barabbas. Unfortunately, nothing is different today. There are people who just want what they want with no concern for truth or justice.

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Jesus is not just a reporter of truth. He is the truth. There is no greater truth for the hope and purpose of humanity than Jesus Christ. 

Episode 109 - "The Spirit of Truth" John 16:12-15

John 16:12   “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

There are few things as central to the historic Christian faith and yet so mysterious as the doctrine of the Trinity. Contrary to the skeptical accusations of some, the doctrine of the Trinity is not a later invention of the Church. There is no evidence that the word “trinity” was used by the Apostles and our earliest evidence of its use, I believe, is in the late second century. But, the earliest Christians understood Jesus to have a divine nature as I’ve already pointed out in the text of this gospel. Yet, there is no evidence that these Christians believed there were multiple gods. They were monotheists. 

Notice what Jesus is saying here about the Holy Spirit. Already he has spoken of the Holy Spirit as the paracletos, the Advocate or Helper, and has described what the Holy Spirit will do for the disciples. Now he gives us more information about the Spirit. 

The Holy Spirit is the “Spirit of truth.” In John 1, we read that absolutely nothing was created (Greek - ginomai) apart from the Logos (Word who was with God and was God). The expands the identity of “the Word”  in verse 17 where John reveals  “grace and truth came through (ginomai) Jesus Christ.” This ties up the loose ends that the Word who was with God and was God is Jesus Christ. He is the source of truth. Now in John 16:13 Jesus calls the Holy Spirit, the “Spirit of truth.” What does that say about the nature of the Holy Spirit? To me, it speaks of the divine nature of the Spirit. But, he doesn’t stop with that.

Jesus adds, “for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” (v. 13b) Does that sound familiar? It sounds consistent with Jesus’ description of himself. (See John 5:19 and following.) Even though Jesus shares in the divine essence, he only says and does what the Father gives him to say and do. 

In verse 14, Jesus says of the Spirit, “He will glorify me.” So, we see the Son glorifying the Father, the Spirit glorying Jesus, and the Father will glorify the Son. Here lies a principle that moves me: the persons within the divine Godhead are fully committed to the glory of each other. This is further clarified in the rest of verse 14 and 15 where all that belongs to the Father also belongs to Jesus and the Holy Spirit will declare it all to Jesus’ disciples. If only we creatures made in God’s image would do the same, what a different world this would be.

There is perfect harmony and otherliness within the divine Godhead and this triune God is sharing it with his human creatures. Does that not blow your mind?

May our prayers reflect our desire for God’s love to affect our attitudes and actions toward others and inspire thankfulness of God’s unsurpassed generosity towards us.

Episode 96 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:1-7

John 14:1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Jesus has told his disciples that he is going away and they cannot follow him at this time. In this section, he offers them words of comfort. I believe the message is one that should comfort us as well. Just like Jesus’ group of twelve disciples, we’ve learned what Jesus has taught. We’ve been amazed by his miracles. But, when trials come and when death comes, we can become “troubled.”

Jesus understands their concerns and says, “Let not your hearts be troubled.” In other words, “Don’t worry!” His next statement, “Believe in God; believe also in me” could be translated “Trust in God and trust in me.” He is not suggesting that he is not God. In fact, I would suggest that he is telling them that his word, ability, and intent are equal with God. The disciples, and ourselves, can trust that Jesus’ promises are true and good.

In verses 2-3 Jesus offers a logical argument that it would not make sense for him to tell them he was preparing a place for them if he were not going to come back and take them to that place. It’s a promise which should encourage them that this separation from him will not be forever.

In verse 4, even though Jesus has said he would return to take them to be with him, he says, “And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas’ response makes a lot of sense to me. It sounds like the same kind of statement I’d make. Essentially, he is saying, “We don’t really know where you are going. So, how could we possibly know how to get to this mystery place.”

Jesus answers this question in reverse. He tells them the way first, then the destination. He said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” The destination is with God and the way to get there is through Jesus. Notice that Jesus doesn’t say, “I am a way.” Jesus’ claim to be the exclusive “way” to the Father and Heaven is perhaps one of the single most “offensive” tenets of Christianity. But, that’s what the Scriptures record Jesus saying. This is consistent with Jesus’ earlier claim to be the Good Shepherd. Anyone else trying to get into the place of protection and provision any other way than the door to the sheep pen is a “thief and a robber” and is not welcome. (John 10:1) Any perceived ambiguity with Jesus’ saying, “I am the way and the truth and the life” should be cleared with the qualifying statement, “No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

Have you ever stopped to ask why that is the case? Is God just being mean? The answer lies in the fact that acting contrary to God’s character and law leads to death. We learn this in the early chapter of the Scriptures. Since the first humans violated God’s law, and the rest of humanity are offspring from those first humans, we are all corrupted by their disobedience and we think, speak, and act in keeping with that brokenness ourselves. But, God doesn’t want us to suffer the eternal death that we deserve through our disobedience. So, Jesus the Son of God who “became flesh,” perfectly obeyed the Father and suffered death on our behalf. Jesus fulfilled the righteous requirement for our sin. He was the only one who could do it since he had no sin himself. The question then is how do we appropriate the benefit of his sacrificial death on the cross? If someone offers you a gift and you refuse to accept it, do you have any benefit from the gift? Of course not. You have not received it. Therefore, it does not benefit you at all. The benefit potential of you trusting in Jesus and his death on the cross is that you are made “right” with God and you have been forgiven of your sins. 

Jesus isn’t just the way, and the truth. He is also the life. Jesus conquered death and came back to life and has promised to raise up to eternal life those who have placed their trust in him. The free gift offered to us is eternal life with God and in a relationship with him is no longer corrupted by our rebellious ways. Things will be the way God designed them to be in the beginning of time. Do you want that gift? If not, don’t expect to receive the benefits of the gift if you reject the gift itself.

Episode 74 - "Everything John said about this man was true" - John 10:40-42

John 10:40   He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained. 41 And many came to him. And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” 42 And many believed in him there.

We have seen how the animosity towards Jesus by people in Jerusalem has grown. People have sought to stone him to death or to arrest him. Yet, they have failed because it has not been Jesus’ hour. 

In this brief section that follows the most recent attempt to stop and silence Jesus, Jesus leaves Jerusalem and travels across the Jordan River to where John the Baptist had been baptizing people. This location is where Jesus’ ministry began when he went to be baptized by John. Doesn’t this feel like the author is bringing his story to a close by drawing attention to Jesus returning to where his ministry started? If you look at the whole Gospel of John, you will notice that we are only half-way through the book. The first half of the book has covered a span of a few years of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Yet, the last half of the book covers only the last few weeks of his life and then the short time on earth following his resurrection. So, I believe this is here to indicate a coming completion to Jesus’ ministry. 

Do not overlook the mention that this was where John had been baptizing. The author reminds us of John and his ministry.  It should evoke in our mind the purpose for John baptizing, calling people to repent of their sin, and preparing the way for the Lord. Did he accomplish that? Absolutely! This fact is evident by what happens when Jesus goes there and remains there. 

Many people go to him. But, they did not go there to stone Jesus or to arrest him. They were drawn to him, and they recall John the Baptist’s message. They realize that many people recognized that John the Baptist was a prophet. They believed him even though he did not perform a single sign. They realized that Jesus did perform signs, and they understood that everything John said about Jesus was true. It would seem evident that they should, therefore, believe in Jesus. 

These people were like the sheep Jesus spoke of, aren’t they? While some people heard Jesus’ teaching, saw his miracles, but still rejected him, these people became convinced that Jesus was the Messiah. 

How about you? After reading or hearing about Jesus’ healing people and giving sight to a man born blind, and considering his claims about his identity, do you believe that he is the Messiah (Christ)? Do you believe he is the unique Son of God who could and would lay down his own life as he said he could and that by believing in him, you can be forgiven of your sins and have hope of being raised from death to eternal life with God?

Episode 59 - Abide in Jesus' words and find freedom - John 8:31-33

John 8:31   So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”

Think about some of the people Jesus has interacted with as recorded in this book. We’ve read about the Pharisees and other religious leaders who “know that he is from God,” but refuse to accept his word. There were people who witnessed him work miracles and some declared that Jesus was the Prophet like Moses; only to turn away from him when he taught them they needed to eat his flesh and drink his blood. Finally, the disciples who he had called were asked if they were going to leave as well. But, Peter’s response spoke for them when he said, “Lord, to whom would we go? You alone have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)

In this section, John records that Jesus is speaking to the Jews that had just believed in him. It’s important to note because by the end of their conversation they will accuse Jesus of having a demon and will try to stone him to death. 

The focus of this lesson is that Jesus tells them how they can gain three benefits that are associated with each other. The first is that they can be true disciples of Jesus. This means that if they truly believe in who he is and what he teaches, they can learn from him and become more like him. In pursuing being a true disciple, they receive the second benefit and that is they will know the truth. This is something we desire in our society today isn’t it. We do not know who to believe because we recognize that different people and organizations do not always tell the truth. This truth has to do with the truth about God. Becoming a learner of Jesus helps us understand the truth about God. Finally, Jesus says that “the truth will set you free.” Sounds good. But, how do we become a true disciple and know the truth and receive the kind of freedom this truth provides? The answer is to “abide” in Jesus’ word. 

What does it mean to abide in Jesus' word? It means to remain and continue in his teaching. This means that we cannot pick and choose the sayings of Jesus that we like and disregard the ones that confuse or offend us. We cannot follow some of Jesus’ teachings. Like those early few disciples, we must decide to follow Jesus regardless of our confusion or not liking something he taught because we know that he has the words of eternal life. 

But, even this saying offends these “believers” doesn’t it? They immediately argue from pride in their heritage as Jews. They claim that they are Abraham’s descendants and have never been a slave to anyone. In other words, they don’t believe they need to be freed from anything. But, this is not true. They were under the control of the Roman Empire. They did not have true independence and liberty. They had what the Roman government allowed. 

This is not the kind of freedom Jesus was talking about. As we’ll see in the next lesson. He is telling them about the control and enslaving power of sin. That is more powerful and dangerous than any other kind of enslavement. 

Jesus’ simple and clear message that we need to abide in his word should be liberating in itself. It tells us that we need to be reading his word and praying for his help in abiding in it. We can trust that his word is truthful and it brings us freedom in Christ.

Episode 55 - No one ever spoke like this man! John 7:45-52

John 7:45   The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring him?” 46 The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!” 47 The Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? 48 Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? 49 But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.” 50 Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, 51 “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” 52 They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”

Remember that this is the last day of the Feast of Booths. Officers that had been sent to arrest Jesus returned to the chief priests and the Pharisees empty handed. What is not immediately evident is how long they’ve been gone. Had they only gone out a half an hour earlier or maybe a half day. The answer seems to lie back in verse 14 which tells us that Jesus starting teaching about half way through the feast and Jesus antagonists tried to arrest him. But, they could not. This would seem to indicate that they had been deployed on this mission for about four days. They have failed on the mission they were given. Their only response to the leaders who dispatched them was, “No one ever spoke like this man!”

This may possibly be one of the most important truths we can glean from this whole event. Why is it important? Because one of the first things John wanted his audience to understand is that Jesus is the “Logos.” He is the Word of God. He is God’s message to humanity. 

John is not the only writer of our Scriptures that communicate this truth about Jesus. Notice how the author of the book of Hebrews opens his book/letter, “Heb. 1:1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. Jesus is God’s conclusive and most comprehensive special revelation to humanity.

In our text today, even some representatives from the antagonists cannot deny the wisdom and power of Jesus’ words. Yet, the priests and Pharisees respond with nothing but attack and lies. After suggesting that the officers had been deceived, they insist that none of them had believed in Jesus. Yet, even Nicodemus had said, “We know that you are a teacher come from God.” At least Nicodemus as well as these officers had been moved by Jesus’ words and signs.

Next, the Pharisees attacked “the crowd” by saying that they don’t know the Law and are accursed. In response to this Nicodemus asked a question that reveals that they themselves are not following the Law. He asks, “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” Nicodemus seems to be arguing from a principle found in the Law such as Deuteronomy 17 and 19 which requires reasonable evidence to validate an accusation. Yet, the chief priests and Pharisees don’t seem to be concerned with following that part of the Law. This raises the question If people who don’t know the Law are accursed because they cannot follow a law they don’t know, how much more would people who do know the Law be accursed if they refuse to follow it? These guys are digging a deeper hole for themselves.

When they attack Nicodemus, one of their own, they suggest that no prophet comes from Galilee. In truth, the prophet Jonah was from Galilee. Lies or willful assertions from their own ignorance makes their attacks and justification laughable. 

It is clear that they do not really want to listen to God’s Word. That leaves us with the challenge of do we want to listen to God’s Word or do we want to dismiss Jesus’ teachings?

Episode 33 - We must worship in spirit and in truth

John 4:16-26

16   Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” 17 The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” 19 The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”

In the last episode, Jesus began a conversation with a Samaritan woman by asking for a drink of water. Due to a widely held prejudice that many Jews had toward Samaritans, she is first and foremost interested in knowing why he would talk to her. In response, Jesus indicates that if she knew who he was, she would have asked him for living water and he would give it to her. In spite of the fact that she doesn’t know who he is, she soon arrives at the point where she does ask him for the living water. In spite of her ignorance about what he is really talking about, the offer is appealing to her and she asks him for it. Her response stands in sharp contrast to that of Nicodemus who, along with his peers, recognizes that he is from God, but does not appear to accept anything Jesus has told him.

Jesus’ response to the woman in verse 16 almost sounds like he’s changing the subject: “Go call your husband.” When she responds that she doesn’t have a husband, we quickly understand how Jesus is about to increase her understanding of who he is. In the latter part of verse 17, he says, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband.” How can he possibly know that? She immediately has an answer: “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet... “ Earlier in the conversation, she seems cynical that he could be as great as their ancestor Jacob. Now, she recognizes that he is a prophet. At this point, all discussion and consideration about literal water in a well are set aside and she wants to discuss spiritual matters. Jesus has drawn her into the real conversation he wants to have with her. Her concern appears to be where is the proper location for worship (v20)? Jesus instructs her that worship is not about a physical location. True worship is spiritual and is based upon truth. People cannot truly worship the true God on their own terms and ideas. Notice that the woman remarks that the Jews say that worship must occur in Jerusalem and by implication at the temple. But, what have we seen in this book about the temple so far? We’ve seen that people have made it a marketplace and a den of thieves. They desecrated its purpose. But, when Jesus says, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up” he was saying that he is the true temple of God. His body is where God dwells. This is consistent with John’s statement in the prologue that the Word became flesh and “tabernacled” among us. The tabernacle was the predecessor to the temple. It was the place where God dwelt with His people. Now, God is dwelling among people in the person of His Son Jesus. To worship God is for the Spirit to give us a spiritual birth from above in which we recognize the truth of Jesus as God’s Son. Notice the repetition and force of verse 24 “those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” 

At this, the woman now asserts something she “knows,” that Messiah is coming and will teach them all things. Jesus responds by claiming to be the Messiah. Effectively, he has just clearly and strongly answered her question, “You aren’t greater than our father Jacob are you” Answer: Yes. Had he given her this direct answer right away, it’s likely she may have scoffed and walked away. Instead, he graciously leads her to faith in him and then to a recognition that he is at least a messenger from God. But, he completes the lesson by demonstrating that he knows intimate details about her life and claims to be the Messiah prophesied in the Scriptures. How will she respond? We’ll see that in our next episode.

For right now, let us not miss the point that the Father is seeking those who will worship him in spirit and in truth. We must come to Jesus who is the true temple of God.

Episode 29 - In "light" or in "darkness?"

John 3:19-21

19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

John has just told us that those who have not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God are already condemned to perish. But, those who receive God’s love and receive eternal life are those who believe in His name. In case one might think that this could be arbitrary and perhaps unfair, our text for today makes it clear on what basis are this judgment and condemnation. 

Verse 19 says that 1) the light has come into the world and 2) people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. So, based upon what we’ve already been told in this book, we know that the “light” or rather “true light” that came into the world is the Word which was in the beginning with God and was fully God and that the light and Word is Jesus. Remember, John has already told us that he did not come into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. The point here is that God is not only demonstrating His mercy and compassion to mankind, but He’s also making it painfully obvious. Think of this picture being given. Consider what happens when light is brought into a dark room. The darkness is dispelled and much is illuminated with even a little light. Jesus is the true light that came into the world. 

So, why doesn’t everyone believe in Jesus? Why aren’t people clamoring to find out more about him? John tells us right here; “people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.” They don’t want God’s light. If that’s the case, it is not so difficult to understand why there is judgment. God alone is the source of what is good and right.

Notice how verse 21 helps us understand more about others; those who do come to the light. It says, “whoever does what is true (or faithful) comes to the light.” Don’t overlook the fact that some people come to the light. Why is this important? Because this is revealing that they weren’t always in the light if they are coming to the light. They themselves have done evil things and have been in the darkness. 

So why would they come to the light? John tells us, “So that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” There is a two-fold benefit in coming to the light. The first is so that our own evil is exposed by the light and secondly, so that we and others around us recognize that the truly good things we do are actually from God working in us. 

Do you see the amazing freedom there is in that? God sent His only Son into the world to provide us an escape from the judgment for our evil works, but He is also working good within us. There is a concept that should inspire our praise and worship.