DESTINY’S BIBLE STUDY NOTES AND QUOTES

(The LIFE and MINISTRY of JESUS # 35)

The Light of Life (See John 8:12-59, and chapter 9)

“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

In the manifestation of God to His people, light had ever been a symbol of His presence. At the creative word in the beginning, light had shone out of the darkness. Light had been enshrouded in the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, leading the vast armies of Israel. Light blazed with awful grandeur about the Lord on Mount Sinai. Light rested over the mercy seat in the tabernacle. Light filled the temple of Solomon at its dedication. Light shone on the hills of Bethlehem when the angels brought the message of redemption to the watching shepherds.

God is light. And in the words, “I am the light of the world,” Christ declared His oneness with God, and His relation to the whole human family.

Every gem of thought, every flash of the intellect, is from the Light of the world. In these days we hear much about “higher education.” The true “higher education” is that imparted by Him “in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” “In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.” (Colossians 2:3, and John 1:4)

In the work of redemption there is no compulsion. No external force is employed. Under the influence of the Spirit of God, man is left free to choose whom he will serve. In the change that takes place when the soul surrenders to Christ, there is the highest sense of freedom.

The only condition upon which the freedom of man is possible is that of becoming one with Christ. “The truth shall make you free.” And Christ is the Truth!

Many a man who likes to quibble, to criticize, seeking for something to question in the word of God, thinks that he is thereby giving evidence of independence of thought and mental acuteness. He supposes he is sitting in judgement of the Bible, when in truth, he is judging himself.

As a flower turns to the sun, that the bright rays may touch it with tints of beauty, so will the soul turn to the Son of Righteousness, that heaven’s light may beautify the character with the graces of the character of Christ.

The history of Job had shown that suffering is inflicted by Satan, and is overruled by God for purposes of mercy. But Israel did not understand the lesson. The same error for which God had reproved the friends of Job was repeated by the Jews in their rejection of Christ.

When Jesus gave sight to the blind, the Pharisees were astonished at the cure. Yet they were more than ever filled with hatred, for the miracle had been performed on the Sabbath day.

The Pharisees appeared wonderfully zealous for the observance of the Sabbath, yet were planning murder on that very day.

Christ had come to open blind eyes, to give light to them that sit in darkness. He had declared Himself to be the world, and the miracle just performed was in attestation of His mission.

The Divine Shepherd (See John 10:1-30)

Many have come presenting other objects for the faith of the world. Ceremonies and systems have been devised by which men hope to receive justification, peace with God, and thus find entrance to His fold. But the only door is Christ. All who have interposed something to take the place of Christ, all who have tried to enter the fold in some other way, are thieves and robbers.

In all ages, philosophers and teachers have been presenting to the world theories by which to satisfy the soul’s need. Every heathen nation has had its great teachers and religious systems offering some other means of redemption than Christ, turning the eyes of men away from the Father’s face, and filling their hearts with fear of Him who has given them only blessing.

Millions of human beings are bound down under false religions, in the bondage of slavish fear, of stolid indifference, toiling like beasts of burden, bereft of hope or joy, and with only a dull fear of the hereafter.

It is the gospel of the grace of God alone that can uplift the soul. The contemplation of the love of God manifested in His Son will stir the heart and arouse the powers of the soul as nothing else can. Christ came that He might re-create the image of God in humanity. Whoever turns men away from Christ is turning them away from true development. They are thieves and robbers.

As an earthly shepherd knows his sheep, so does the divine Shepherd know His flock that are scattered throughout the world. “You my flock, the flock of my pasture, are people, and I am your God, says the Lord God.” Jesus says, “I have called you by your name; you are mine.” “I have graven you upon the palms of my hands.” (Ezekiel 34:31, Isaiah 43:1, and 49:16)

Jesus know us individually! He is touched by the feeling of our infirmities. He knows us all by name.

Every soul is as fully known to Jesus as if they were the only one for whom the Savior died. The distress of everyone touches His heart of infinite love.

The cry for aid reaches His ear. He came to draw all of humanity to Himself, and bids them, “Follow me.” Many refuse to be drawn. Jesus knows who they are. He also knows who gladly hear His call, and are ready to come under His pastoral care. He says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”

He compels none to follow Him. He says, “I draw them.”

It is not the fear of punishment, or the hope of everlasting reward that leads the disciples of Christ to follow Him. They behold the Savior’s matchless love, revealed through His pilgrimage on earth. From the manger of Bethlehem to Calvary’s cross. The sight of Him attracts, it softens, and subdues the soul. Love awakens in the hearts of the beholders. They hear His voice and they follow Him.

The way to heaven is consecrated by Christ’s footprints. The path may be steep, and rugged, but Jesus has traveled that way. His feet have pressed down the cruel thorns, to make the pathway easier for us. Every burden that we are called to bear, He Himself has borne.

The Savior would have passed through the agony of Calvary that one might be saved in His kingdom. He will never abandon one for whom He has died. Unless His followers choose to leave Him, He will hold them fast.

Though now He is hidden from mortal sight, the ear of faith can hear His voice saying, fear not, I am with you. “I am He that lives, and was dead; and behold, I am alive forevermore.” (Revelation 1:18)

While as a member of the human family He was mortal, as God He was the fountain of life to the world.

He could have withstood the advances of death, and refused to come under its dominion; but voluntarily He laid down His life, that He might bring life and immortality to light.

He bore the sins of the world, endured its curse, yielded up His life as a sacrifice, that humanity might not eventually die.

“Surely He has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows… He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquities of us all.” (Isaiah 53:4-6)