In John, first chapter, there are two things which I have on my mind—life and light.
"In Him was life; and the life was the light of men." The light shone in the world, and the darkness could not comprehend it. The blind do not profit by light. There was need of the work of the Holy Spirit to open the eyes.
In the second chapter, we have an intimation of relationship with Israel; then comes the cleansing of the temple, making everything ready for the kingdom, which indeed was nigh; but where was the man ready for the kingdom?
A remarkable scene is presented to us—Jerusalem at the Passover—man at his best religiously. Many believed in His name when they saw His miracles. On the best occasion, in the place of culture, among the people with most privileges, some persons did their best, and even believed in His name; but the Lord could not accept them. "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." This ax cuts down all natural piety and religiousness. There is not a man fit for the kingdom, without new life which is then opener to us in the rest of this Gospel.
In the fourth chapter, the life is seen as a well of water in the believer.
In the fifth chapter, the life is described as past death and judgment.
In the sixth chapter, we have the food which nourishes that life.
In the seventh chapter, the life is as "rivers of living water."
In the eighth chapter, it is the other side; that is, the light which is brought forward. The subject is the woman taken in adultery. The scribes and Pharisees were surely the best the Jewish system would produce. But under their apparent zeal for the guarding of morality was the deeper sin of enmity against God. "This they said, tempting Him."
He stooped down and wrote upon the ground, with that very finger which had written upon the tables of stone, "Thou shalt not commit adultery."
Children of God, beware of hypocrisy. "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." Yes, but they are in the presence of the Light now, and were self condemned. The Lord, who alone had the right to cast a stone, had come to save, not to judge. They could not bear the light on their religious selves. They are all gone now. The youngest was the last to go, but they all got away at last from Jesus, because of that sinful self.
When the Lord looked up, they had all gone. But had the woman gone? What an excellent opportunity for her to escape! But she did not avail herself of it, for there was love which detained her when the light exposed her. She had no reputation to maintain.
"Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?"
"No man, Lord."
"Go, and sin no more." There is no sanction of the sin, but love to the sinner.
The next passage clearly refers to the scene which has just passed. "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world."
In the ninth chapter, we have the poor blind man. The Lord was passing by to escape stoning; and as He passed He saw the poor blind man. He was the Light of the world; but here was a man with his eyes closed, and Christ put clay on his eyes, thus making him at first apparently even more blind than before. In the clay we have a picture of the Son of man in incarnation (John 6:4040And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:40)). The blind man now heard His word. It is to the sent One he is directed. He washes and receives his sight. Why were his eyes opened? That he might see the Lord and believe on Him.
Meantime there is a tremendous commotion over the cure of the blind man, because it was on the sabbath day. The man is questioned, but the light has got into him and is working in him and bringing out a clearer and clearer acknowledgment of the Lord, until his testimony is so strong that he is cast out. Here is the difference from chapter 8, where it is getting into the light. Here it is the light getting into the man.
Jesus, when He had found him (He is after him), said, "Dost thou believe on the Son of God?"
The man, full of confidence and gratitude, answers, "Who is He, Lord?"
"Thou hast both seen Him, and it is He that talketh with thee"—place of fullest privilege.
At once the man is down at His feet.
Now mark, chapter 10 explains what has just gone before. The Jewish system is the fold. Jesus is the true Shepherd. He comes in by the door; He is rejected by the leaders of the nation, but He calls His own sheep by name out of it all. In verse 16, He looks right on to you and me—the other sheep.
Now there is one flock, and one Shepherd. We are not in an enclosure, but that Blessed One is in view as we follow Him through this scene. Are we following as one flock, one Shepherd?
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them."
Verses 14 and 15 should be read together—"am known of Mine as the Father knoweth Me," and I know the Father.