Sabbath: The Source of Life
Daily Lesson for Sabbath 23rd of November 2024
Image © Pacific Press
Read for This Week’s Study: John 1:4; John 10:10; John 1:12-13; John 6:61-68; Numbers 13:23-33; Matthew 4:1-4.
Memory Text:
“ ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’ ” (John 14:6, NKJV).
In the Gospel of John, when asked who He was, Jesus answered with the term that designates deity. “I AM” was an unmistakable reference to the Lord Himself, who had appeared to Moses in the burning bush. “ ‘I AM WHO I AM,’ ” He said to Moses (Exodus 3:14). And this same God, the “I AM,” then “became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14, NKJV).
The theme “I AM” threads throughout John. This week’s memory verse reflects that theme: “ ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life’ ” (John 14:6, NKJV). The “I AM” is the Light of the world, the Bread of Life, the Gate or the Door of the sheep, the Good Shepherd, and the True Vine.
This week continues with the revelation of God as given us in John. We will also more fully explore the flip side of things, in which, despite the powerful evidence for Jesus as the Messiah, some rejected Him. We will study this idea for two reasons: to avoid the same mistake, but also to consider how we might be able to reach out to those in danger of making that mistake, as well.
*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, November 30.
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Descartes was the philosopher/mathematician/scientist who made the statement"
He actually said, "Je pense, donc je suis!" and would have liked to express it as, "cogito, ergo sum", but seeing most of you have neither French or Latin in your educational history, we will stick with the English version.
It is a rather enigmatic statement and depending on what you read into it can be either profound or nonsense. At the beginning of this week's study, all I want to do is contrast it with Exodus 3:14:
It is possible to interpret Descarte's statement as an egocentric view of the universe (although I doubt he intended that), but God's claim to be, "I AM" without a causal relationship makes it clear that God is the centre of existence. Our existence may involve thinking but without a relationship with God our thoughts have the potential to be the ramblings of an incoherent mind. Once we accept that our existence must include God it must also include relationships with one another. That comes with responsibility.
Sister White had this to say about Exodus 3:14 in MS 5a, 1895-- God Sees Future as We See Present,-- I Am means an eternal presence; the past, present; and future are alike to God. He sees the most remote events of past history, and the far distant future with as clear a vision as we do those things that are transpiring daily. We know not what is before us, and if we did, it would not contribute to our eternal welfare. God gives us an opportunity to exercise faith and trust in the great I Am.
The Book of John is solely focused on making every possible effort to tell its readers who is Jesus Christ. This week we are at a point where Jesus is making a profound and very bold declaration that "I am the way, the truth, and the life," (John 14:6). In a real world where millions of people live in pain, sorrow, tears, sickness and death, what value is Jesus’s declaration? In a world where falsehood seems to be triumphant, what is the value of truth? Does life have any substance if happiness is simply an occasional episode in the general drama of pain? To those who feel life is hopeless, to those who feel helpless and those who feel valueless, what comfort does Jesus’s declaration bring to their troubled souls?
Like Jesus’s disciples, there are millions who are troubled today. Hence, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me” (John 14:1). Jesus knew then, and He knows now that life without God is hopeless, meaningless and helpless. He who created life, He is the ONLY ONE who can add value to it. “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind” (John 1:4 – NIV).
When Jesus declares “I am the way”, He is providing away to those who are overwhelmed by life’s challenges, a path to God, who is the ultimate source of comfort and strength (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). When life is full of confusion and seems directionless, trusting in Jesus offers clarity. He promises to lead His followers through life’s struggles toward hope and purpose (Psalm 23:3).
When Jesus declares “I am the truth”, He is providing an assurance and hope amidst of lies. In a world full of misleading messages about self-worth and success, Jesus reveals the truth about human value and God’s love (John 3:16). His words assure believers that God’s promises are reliable, even when circumstances are difficult (Hebrews 6:19).
Finally, when Jesus declares “I am the life”, He is comforting those who are mourning or fear death. Jesus is simply saying I am the resurrection and the eternal life, and I have defeated the power of death (John 11:25-26). Jesus is also saying, I have got the power for restoration. Even when life feels empty, Jesus’ presence brings a new sense of purpose, rooted in living for God’s eternal kingdom (2 Corinthians 5:17). In essence, Jesus is telling those who are feeling lost can draw strength from the assurance that they are loved and valued by God, and that Jesus has prepared a place for them (John 14:2-3). This provides motivation to keep moving forward, knowing their lives have eternal significance.
Omwenga - thank you for sharing your succinctly expressed insights. Please allow me to add the one step awaiting the person who receives this understanding about who Jesus is and what He offers. This step is the conviction that all you discribed represents God's Truth! When understood and received in this way, one would hope that it will lead to the acceptance of Jesus as the One to end the pains of 'lostness' experienced without Him.
The question was asked on Sunday's lesson, "Why did Jesus come to this earth?
"...From the days of eternity the Lord Jesus Christ was one with the Father; He was "the image of God,' the image of His Father; greatness and majesty, "the outshining of His glory.'It was to manifest this gory that He came to our world. To this sin-darkened earth He came to reveal the light of God's love,--to be "God with us."Therefore it was prophesied of Him, "His name shall be called Immanuel.'
By coming to dwell with us, Jesus was to reveal God Both to men and to angels. He was the Word of God,--God's thought made audible..." The Desire of Ages page 19.
The second question asks, "What can we learn from the life of Jesus about the character of the Father?" "...In his prayer for His disciples He says, "I have declared unto them Thy name,"---"merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,"--that the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me may be in them, and I in them." The Desire of Ages page 19.
Next question, " Why is this revelation such good news?" "...Both the redeemed and the unfallen beings will find in the cross of Christ their science and their song. It will be seen that the glory shining in the face of Jesus is the glory of self-sacrificing love. In the light from Calvary it will be seen that the law of self-renouncing love is the law of life for earth and heaven; that the love which "seeketh not her own" has its source in the heart of God; and that in the meek and lowly One is manifested the character of Him who dwelleth in the light which no man can approach unto." The Desire of Ages page 20.
Remember keeping holy day
He is the life..This statement gives hope.Happy new week.
“The Source of Life” – as it relates to man:
John 6:63;65 - ”It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”
Matt. 4:4 - ”It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
John 1:12-13 - ”But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."
I understand ‘I AM’ to include everything that finds expression - that 'is'. In/by/through I AM everything derives its existence and purpose - I AM reflects His identity. For mankind this means to accept that we have been created for a purposeful – purpose-filled life; not a life which nurtures the body/flesh only, but a life which IS nurtured by/though the Spirit of Life.
Fully embracing this Truth begins the journey of True life; we are born again. Many religions sprung up from recognizing that man is more than a body of flesh. Teachers came and went shedding light on the purpose of mankind's life. But we received Jesus Christ, the Son of God as our Teacher and Redeemer.
Living at the end of this long journey of mankind, I AM reveales Himself in His Son Jesus Christ to lead us into allTruth by His Holy Spirit. He reveals the Father and the Son as well as Himself in the Holy Spirit. And this is what we are called to do in/with the new life we received – revealing the Glory of I AM.
For me, today’s lesson ties in with Thursday’s lesson last week and John 8:23 where Jesus said, “I AM not of this world“. He followed this by saying, “unless you believe that I AM he (the Messiah), you shall die in your sins” (John 8:24).
This is a clear claim to divinity. No mere human could live up to this claim. Thing is, Jesus‘s life was consistent with His message. He was obviously close to God. He was obviously not of this world. People could feel the life and living water and healing and relief and comfort and peace and joy flowing out of Him, and in just being in His presence. He said “I only do what God models for me” (John 5:20) and that was evidently true. Even His accusers could not come up with anything to accuse Him of. We have no record of any sin or any unkindness or any wrongdoing coming from Jesus. Jesus could have exposed their pride and hypocrisy by naming all of their hidden sins out loud in front of everyone, but his goal was not to embarrass, intimidate, or win an argument, but to save. People were experiencing saving grace in Jesus’ presence.
Whereas the religious leaders, they were obviously following their own agenda. Even Pilate could see through their actions and intentions (Matt. 27:18). They reeked of envy and self-centeredness and dogmatic-ness. It was clear to a lot of people that their questions to Jesus were not sincerely seeking truth, but trying to trick and entrap Jesus in order to crush His power and lift up their own authority once more.
Last week, Friday’s lesson, said, “the traditions which had been handed down from generation to generation, and the human interpretation of the Scriptures, hid from them the truth as it is in Jesus.…They saw that if they received Christ, they must give up their cherished maxims and traditions, their selfish ungodly practices. It required a sacrifice to receive changeless, eternal truth.” Ellen White, Christ Object Lessons, page 105.
So, to answer the question in today’s lesson, “how are we to reach out to those in danger of making the same mistake?“ we need to pray that we grow in faith so that the words we speak are more than matched by the life we live. The Living Water needs to be flowing out of us. And for it to flow out of us, we need to be taking Jesus in. Digesting Him daily and letting Him change our hearts and our lives. To me, that’s the most powerful evidence for Jesus as Messiah and the best way to help our friends and our family. Sincere belief. Transforming character. We have to ask for it! “Lord, I believe. Please help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24).
Grace & Truth seems to be the theme for today in my personal devotions. I need to follow Jesus example of balancing hard truth's with grace. I heard an example from another author just today, how Jesus said to the woman "neither do I condemn you" (grace), "now go, and sin no more" (truth); Jesus summoned Peter to walk with Him on the water (grace), but then revealed his lack of faith (truth); He went to Zacchaeus' house (grace), and Zacchaeus was convicted to give back what he had taken & more (truth). I can think of others, like Nicodemus, Jesus met him in the dark cover of night (grace), but told him he must be born again (truth), the woman at the well, He talked with her freely, asking her for a drink of water (grace), then told her things about her life & offered her living water (truth). I look forward to really looking for how often Jesus combined grace & truth in all His interactions with humanity.
I have seen Jesus work in my life like this too. He so graciously reveals the hard truths of where I need to make changes in my life & attitudes and helps me to take the next step in making those changes. He transforms my thinking with grace. I am so grateful for my gentle, gracious Savior who loves me too much to let me stay the way I am.
Love this, Tammy… both grace and truth in every moment of Jesus’ life… I’ll look for it too now. Thanks for sharing!
I do believe this week, we as teachers of the Sabbath School lesson will learn how to present to our class life in Christ and life more abundant, by having Christ into our lives daily. Luke 9:23-24. We sang for Sabbath School, Loving God, Loving Each Other, mind you we are not a celebration fellowship. Some have thought so. But we know we are not. We have an outreach that spreads the continent.
So what would you tell your friend when he/she says lead me to Christ. I do believe I would start with this weeks lesson. The theme of the Bible is Jesus.
You could also tell the story of the young man who was sentenced to prison for
life, and the death sentence was also put on him. The governor came along after being told the young man was a good man, and he decided to pardon him. The governor decided He would visit the young man in prison, so he dressed as a clergy. He had the warden let him in the cell. The young man saw the clergy and the Bible and said get out of here. The governor hastened out and decided not to pardon him. When his execution came, his last words were tell all that I was declared innocent by the governors pardon, therefore I was innocent. I am being executed because I rejected my pardon.
It's a shame, but God is willing to prove Himself to me; He wouldn't need to do so, but due to my state of limitations and His love for me, He does that. All I have to do is to give Him a chance. And hang on to this chance!