27 They did not understand that He spoke to them of the Father. 28 Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.
8:27
They did not understand that He spoke to them of the Father.
Regardless of Jesus’ miracles and clear communication of His mission, the Jews still did not understand that He spoke to them about the Father. Their prejudice blinded them to the truth. This is why they needed the “light” of Christ, divine illumination, in order that they would be genuinely open to what God had to say to them.
8:28
Then Jesus said to them,
Jesus now sought to clarify why the Jews failed to understand why He was sent by the Father.
“When you lift up the Son of Man,
Jesus alluded to the crucifixion with the words “lift up.” The name “Son of Man” refers to His incarnation.
then you will know that I am He,
The word “He” is not in the Greek text but it is supplied by English translators. Jesus said, “You will know that I am.” “I am” is an expression of the deity of Christ in the gospel of John.
The crucifixion would reveal what Jesus was truly about. His death and resurrection would vindicate the entire ministry of Christ. The awesome truth that Jesus was who He said He was would dawn on them.
The phrase “then you will know” does not refer to the conversion of Jesus’ audience. The idea was that one day they would realize that the claims of Christ were true; however, the dawning of this truth would not result in their salvation.
and that I do nothing of Myself;
In His humanity Jesus depended on the Father. As the Messiah He was dependent on the Father.
but as My Father taught Me,
Everything that Jesus’ taught in His humanity came directly from the Father. He was the Father’s personal representative on earth.
I speak these things.
The teaching of Jesus would prove Him to be the authentic mediator sent from the Father.
PRINCIPLE:
Everyone will come to a climax of either accepting or rejecting Christ as the mediator of salvation.
APPLICATION:
A time will come when the rejecting or accepting of Christ and His teaching will reach a climax. Those who choose to reject Christ will be cast into outer darkness forever.
