Jesus will lead true believers into the presence of God. Jesus stated that His “Light” will guide believers in this life and into the next, but that only holds for people who believe He is what He said He was as the Christ of God. Thus, He Himself becomes the dividing line of belief and unbelief and declares the consequence of each. This passage teaches that believers in Jesus go to the Father while unbelievers are denied that blessed experience.
Jesus makes clear that belief and unbelief have distinct final destinations (8:21-22). He is not leaving this world just yet, but His loyalty to God makes certain His return to the Father. This is not the case with unbelievers: “Death will overtake you in your sins” (8:21, BBE). Jesus’ opposition, however, can see no farther than death that ends this life (8:22).
Final destinations are clearly matters of belief in Jesus or not (8:23-24). Different life-orientations (“from”) result in different destinations, not merely one’s birthplace, but what one seeks to shape his life. Only coming to believe in Him can alter dying in sin: “Unless you believe that I am who I say I am, you will die in your sins (8:24, NLT).
Jesus affirms that He speaks and acts from the Father-Son relationship (8:25-26). Thus, His message is thoroughly consistent (8:25). Translations vary on whether 8:25b is a question (NAU; AMP) or an affirmation (KJV; NIV). Either way, His consistency remains: “I am what I have told you I was from the beginning” (Phillips). Though on His own He could point out many things worthy of attention or of judgment, but He does not act independently of the Father; His self-revelation of God has constantly been His message (8:26).
Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection will confirm the Father’s presence with Him (8:27-29). These Jewish authorities have largely missed Jesus on this point (8:27). Nevertheless, Jesus will complete His mission and receive by His resurrection the Father’s reward for loyalty (8:28-29). To “lift up” Jesus in John’s Gospel refers first to His crucifixion and includes His resurrection and ascension to the Father. Until the Cross, He will continue to make known the perfect revelation of the Father Who has been with Him all along. All that Jesus had been saying and doing confirmed to many people the need and opportunity in this life to trust Him for the next life (8:30).
Dr. David Moore can be contacted at dm5867se@outlook.com
