In John 8:12-59, Jesus dialogues with the scribes and Pharisees who did not believe in Him. They rejected His claims that He had come from God and that He was God. In the course of their conversation, Jesus reveals that He is able to give them three things if they would believe.
These three things are something everyone is searching for. If someone offered you the ability to attain/obtain them, wouldn’t you think their words would be worth considering?
1. Knowledge (the ability to see and understand what is true)
Then Jesus again spoke to them saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” (8:12)
Every man pursues knowledge. Every one of us wants to know what is real and true. Knowledge itself has become a kind of god in our culture, as seen in the emphasis placed on education, and our insatiable desire for information that continually feeds the media. Jesus promises that if we will come to Him, and believe in Him, we will have Light to see. We will be able to discern truth from error. His presence in our lives will expose what is a lie, what is darkness, and we will be able to see clearly and know what is true.
2. Freedom (from what enslaves us)
So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (8:31-32)
As we come to the Light (Jesus), we will know what is true, and this knowledge will make us free. Everyone wants freedom – freedom to do and think and say whatever they please. But the reality is that we are enslaved to our passions and desires; we are enslaved to sin (8:34), and real freedom is only found in the truth. The devil lies to us, promising us freedom, but his idea of freedom only leads to bondage. (How often have you “freely” participated in something, but soon found yourself unable to deny yourself that very thing, having become its slave?) Jesus promises true freedom, but only when we believe in Him.
3. Immortality (abundant, eternal life)
Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he will never see death. (8:51)
Nobody wants to die. In our flesh, we all fear death. I admit it; I don’t look forward to the process of dying, of knowing my body is failing or suffering some great crisis that leads to my “exit plan” out of this world. But I don’t fear death as something that will end my life; I see death as simply a door into my real life – the eternal life Jesus has promised me because I believe in Him and keep His word. Are you afraid of dying? Are you ready to die? Do you know what waits for you on the other side of the door marked “Exit” from this life? Jesus promises immortality, something we all in our hearts hope for.
Knowledge.
Freedom.
Immortality.
Who doesn’t want these things? Have you considered Jesus might be telling the truth, and that He is the one who can actually fulfill His promises? Without Him, we can only dream of achieving these things, and our attempts will always fall short.
We’ll believe a lie.
We’ll find ourselves in bondage.
And when death comes, we’ll be separated forever from the only true source of life.
The Way Of The Word 