Daily Devotions

My Song In The Night (Gospel of John)
我夜间的歌曲 (约翰福音)

My Song In The Night (Gospel of John)
我夜间的歌曲 (约翰福音)
 
Day 
Day 118

A Correct Application of the Law

Text: John 8: 17-18

A CORRECT APPLICATION OF THE LAW

The Pharisees liked quoting the Law to suit their purposes. However, they were prone to using the Scriptures incorrectly. Jesus had to correct them in their understanding and application of the Law concerning “witnesses” (John 8:13; Deuteronomy 17:6).

“It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.”

John 8:17-18

1. “It is also written in your law”

a. Jesus was replying to what the Pharisees had said (John 8:13).
b. The Pharisees had rejected what Jesus said to them, He was only speaking for Himself.
c. Their understanding was that there must be at least two witnesses to verify truth.

2. “That the testimony of two men is true”

a. Jesus had already made reference to John the Baptiser on an earlier defence (John 5:31-35).
b. But that appeal had fallen on deaf ears.
c. John had already died and he could not be called upon to bear witness.

3. Two witnesses

a. Jesus as His own witness.

“I am one who bears witness of Myself.”

John 8:18

i. This appeal is valid.
ii. It stands to reason that the individual must be allowed to make a personal defence.
iii. Jesus bore witness of Himself brilliantly.
iv. His life, character, teachings and more, all bore witness of the Person He claimed to be.
b. “And the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me”
i. Calling upon God as a Divine witness was allowed for.
ii. God would be called upon to vindicate the individual. (Psalms 17, 26… In these two psalms David called upon the Lord to vindicate him.)
iii. God’s witness concerning the identity of Jesus should be so obvious to the people who are discerning.
c. Nicodemus, a famous teacher of Israel discerned that Jesus could only perform mighty signs and wonders if God was truly with Him (John 3:1-2).
d. If the Jews had called upon God in prayer humbly, the Lord God would confirm Jesus’ identity.

经文: 约翰福音 8:17-18

正确地运用律法

法利赛人喜欢利用上帝的律法来适应他们的意图。 不过他们往往以不正确的方式运用经文。耶稣必须改正他们对律法中关于“见证”的理解和运用。《约翰福音 8:13;申命记 17:6》。

“你们的律法上也记着说:‘两个人的见证是真的。’ 我是为自己作见证,还有差我来的父也是为我作见证。 ”

《约翰福音 8:17-18》

1. “你们的律法上也记着说 ”

a. 耶稣是在回复法利赛人所说的话 《约翰福音8:13》
b. 法利赛人拒绝耶稣对他们说的话,因为祂是在为自己作见证
c. 他们对律法的理解是必须要有两个人的见证才能够确认真相

2. “两个人的见证是真的”

a. 耶稣已经提起施洗约翰所做的见证 《约翰福音 5:31-35》
b. 不过他们并没有接受这番诉词
c. 因为约翰已经离去,他不能够再为耶稣作见证

3. 两个人的见证

a. 耶稣为自己作见证

“我是为自己作见证”

《约翰福音 8:18》

i. 这番诉词是合理的
ii. 一个人为自己辩护是合理的
iii. 耶稣杰出地为自己作见证
iv. 祂的人生,人格,教训 等等都是祂的见证
b. “还有差我来的父也是为我作见证”
i. 呼吁上帝为一个神圣的见证是被准许的
ii. 人们能够呼吁上帝为自己辩护在《诗篇17,26》,大卫呼求上帝为他辩护
iii. 若人们仔细地思考,上帝为耶稣的身份所作的见证是非常明显的
c. 尼哥迪慕是以色列有名的老师。他仔细地思考耶稣所作的伟大的神迹和异象而意识到上帝的确与祂同在《约翰福音 3:1-2》
d. 如果犹太人能谦卑地向上帝祷告,上帝必会证明和肯定耶稣的身份