13 The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.”
14 Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. 16 But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. 17 In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. 18 I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”
19 Then they asked him, “Where is your father?”
“You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” 20 He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come.
21 Once more Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come.”
22 This made the Jews ask, “Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, ‘Where I go, you cannot come’?”
23 But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.”
25 “Who are you?” they asked.
“Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied. 26 “I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is trustworthy, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.”
27 They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. 28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up[a] the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. 29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” 30 Even as he spoke, many believed in him.
Personal Reflection and Discussion
1. Underline words and phrases in these verses that catch your attention, that seem particularly important to you.
2. In this passage, John continues a number of themes he has previously introduced. Which has had the more profound effect on you during this journey?
- a. Light and Darkness
- b. “I Am” statements
- c. Not passing judgement
- d. Being lifted up
- e. Being one with the Father
3. What thoughts, feelings, questions do each of these themes generate for you? Which catches your imagination the most? Explain.
4. In verse 28, Jesus makes it known to the Pharisees that THEY will be the ones to lift them up, meaning, they will have to do something in order for Christ to be exalted. He basically says that he not only will be victorious, but they will be proactive in this prophecy! How does this create complexity in the prophecy? What is there part in the prophecy? What is our part?
Prayer
Jesus, John repeatedly talks of You “being lifted up” in reference to Your crucifixion as a sacrifice, making atonement for the sins of humankind. Thank You for Your sacrifice and for my salvation.
Greek Words of the Day
English Word: Above | Transliterated Word: Ano (an-o)
Upward or on the top — above, brim. So for heaven.
English Word: Lifted Up | Transliterated Word: sikose (see-ko-see)
Exalt, to proper raise, to lift
Family Engagement Activity
Today, provide proof that THEY WILL KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIANS BY OUR LOVE. As a family, allow others to see that Jesus is real by doing something for someone else. All we do is provide the proof, it’s the Spirit’s job to convert. Provide proof today by showing someone love with no strings attached.
OR
Teach your kids about the oneness God has with His Father. Play a board game together, but play as teams making sure that every decision made is shared between the two teammates. How difficult was it to make a decision? How does being in constant relationship with someone impact decision making? What decisions were easier to make? Which were more difficult?
Going Activities To Consider
Today, provide proof that THEY WILL KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIANS BY OUR LOVE. Allow others to see that Jesus is real by doing something for someone else. All we do is provide the proof, it is the Spirit’s job to convert. Provide proof by showing someone love with no strings attached. Lift high the cross, allow people to know you are able to love because of His loving sacrifice for you!