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If I were to say to you this morning, “One of man’s greatest needs is to hear a clear presentation of the gospel,” would you agree with me? If I were to ask you, “Do you know someone personally that doesn’t recognize this as one of their greatest needs?’ would you say ‘Yes?’

These two questions help set the context for what Jesus is doing here in our Scripture passage this morning. He has a message that everyone needs to hear but the Temple leaders don’t think His message is credible. Therefore, He should stop sharing it.

The truth is that just because someone doesn’t see the need to hear the gospel doesn’t mean we should stop sharing it. As we examine our text today, we’ll see Jesus sharing the gospel and how that gospel call involves challenges, claims, and commitments we all need to hear.

1. There’s a call to come. [8:12]

In Luke 19 we find Jesus at the home of a man by the name of Zacchaeus. In verse 10 of that chapter Jesus makes this statement, “The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.” In other words, the reason He came was to call out to a lost and dying world so that they would hopefully come to Him for salvation.

Here in this story we find Jesus taking full advantage once again of the situation at hand. During the Feast of Tabernacles, two events were a major part of the celebration. The ‘water procession’ and the ‘lighting of huge lamps’ in the Temple. Jesus uses the lighting of the lamps as an illustration of His ministry.

Here in verse 12 Jesus says, “I am the light of the world.” Now, when He makes that statement, it creates conflict with the religious leaders. The words ‘I am’ are the English translation of two Greek words ‘ego eimi.’ What’s important to know about those two little words is this, in the Greek version of the OT, these are the same two words that God used to answer Moses with when he ask Him what His name was. [Exodus 3:14]

When you seriously consider what Jesus is saying here it’s amazing. Here’s God in the flesh calling out to the people: come out of the darkness and walk in the light of life. This demonstrates the love of God.

2. There’s a challenge to clarify. [8:13-20]

The Pharisees heard Jesus loud and clear when He said ‘I am.’ So, in verses 13 –20 we see them challenging the validity of what He said. They set their challenge in a legal context: the Law of Moses.

Jesus tells them in verse 17 that He’s aware of the fact the Law required at least two witnesses in order for anyone’s testimony to be valid. But—He also reminds them in verse 15 that they make judgments based on only human standards. In other words, they hear only what they want to hear.

Has anyone ever accused you of that? Selective hearing. Back in chapter 5 the religious leaders were challenging Jesus’ testimony [5:31-47] and He mentioned at least four witnesses that verified who He was, but they wouldn’t accept them. John the Baptist, His work, His Father, The Scriptures

Some of us here today are guilty of this as well. We hear only what we want to hear. If what’s being said doesn’t fit into what I already believe I don’t want to hear it. Instead we say things like, “that’s not how I read the Bible,” or “that might be what it says, but I don’t think that’s what it really means.” We’re not really interested in allowing the Bible to clarify a challenge to our beliefs.

3. There’s a claim to consider. [8:21-28]

Even though the religious leaders are closed minded, that doesn’t stop Jesus from preaching the truth. Look at the first part of verse 21, ‘Once more Jesus said to them.” I’m glad Jesus had someone come to me ‘once more’ when my mind was closed to the gospel. How about you?

Jesus puts all the cards on the table here in verses 21-28 and basically says, ‘if you don’t believe that I am who I claim to be, you will die in your sin.’ That’s confrontational evangelism.

There’s no shortage of claims being made today concerning who God is or how to get to heaven. And there’s nothing wrong with listening to all that’s being said so that we are in tune with what’s going on around us. But we more than anyone else need to follow the example of our Lord and tell people to carefully consider the claim presented in Scriptures concerning just who Jesus really is.

Look at verse 28: ‘when you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the One I claim to be.’ Jesus is talking about His death, resurrection, and ascension back into heaven. Jesus is simply saying to us, you need to carefully consider what I am claiming here because eternity hangs in the balance of your decision. (You will die in your sin.) Vv. 21, 24 

4. There’s a commitment to cherish. [8:29-30]

If you will carefully consider the claim that Jesus has made about who He is and why He was sent and trust Him as your personal Savior, verse 29 holds the key to cherishing your commitment. Don’t miss what Jesus is saying here.

When He says, ‘The One who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone,’ He’s simply saying, ‘I can face anything this world throws at Me because My Father is with Me.’ He will never leave Me. There might be a time in your life when you think the whole world has turned against you or has left you, but remember this, a Christian will never be alone. Hebrews 13:5 says, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” That’s God’s promise to you!

In the second part of verse 29, Jesus sets the example of personal responsibility before God. ’I always do what pleases Him.’ Jesus was always focused on doing the Father’s will. Can we say that’s the focus of our daily lives? Paul reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 4, the Scriptures contain the instructions ‘on how to live in order to please God.’ Through the power of the Spirit we can do it.

The word cherish means ‘to hold dear, to protect.’ Do you cherish the fact that God, through His Son Jesus Christ, has called you out of the darkness of sinful rebellion into the light of everlasting life? How are we demonstrating that in our daily lives? Is there something we cherish more than our relationship to Christ? A career, a car, a home, a relationship, a hobby, etc.

As we prepare to eat from the table of our Lord—ask the Holy Spirit to examine your heart and bring to your mind what you cherish the most.