to hor, Neither do I conrlemn thee: go, and sin no more." 1. Our Lord's question does not exettse her sin, nor imply any <,()nniva11ce at it, but is designed to lead her to serious thoughts of i'.t, 2. The woman does not deny her sin. 3. Our Lord's sctyinr1 docs not imply forgiveness, "It ia a declaration of sufferance, not of justification," and is designed to lead her to repentance and faith. Ver. 12.-Jesu.9 the Li,qhe of the world. As he had applied to himself one of the typical miwcles of the wilderness, so here be represents himself as the antitype of the fiery pillar that led the Israemes during their long pilgrima~e. I. JEsus AS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, "I am the Light of the world: be that followeth me shaU not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of life." 1. Jes11,s was a Light to ·the Gentiles as well aa the Jews. (Isa. xiii. 6.) Like the sun, his light is diffused through all nations of the earth. 2. He is the Light of truth to the under- standing. "In thy light shall they see light" (Ps. xxxvi. 9). The Light of truth to the understanding, the Light of love to the heart, the Light of righteousness to the conscience. 3. He is the light of glory. "The Lamb is the Light thereof" (Rev. xxi. 23). Happy, therefore, are they who are his followers now! II. THE BLESSING OF THOSE WHO FOLLOW THE LIGHT. 1. It is a blessing for those wh.o are moving forward, not for tlzo:9e who are going backward into darkness. (1) The allusion is to the Israelites following the guidance of the fiery pillar through the dark night. (2) The believer follows, not precedes, the Light. Jesus goes before every man to make his way plain. Christian life is a following Jesus step by step. 2. The believer will not walk in darlcness. (1) Consider the significance of this darkness. (a) There is danger in darkness. (b) There is discomfort, in darkness. (c) There is fear in darkness. (2) The believer is delivered from the darkness (a) of ignorance, for once he knew not what he was, where he was, or whither he was going; (b) of error, for he walks in the trutp of the gospel; (c) of unbelief, for he walks by faith in Christ; (d) of sin, for he sees 'Christ and enjoys the blessed promise, " Blessed are the pure in heart : for they shall see God." 3. Tlte believer shall have the Light of life. (1) This is the Light which springs frc:>m ).ife. "In him was life, and the life was the Light of men." Just as the light that is abroad ·over the world, reflected from object to object, streams from the s~\n;·so 'a.II the Light that streams frcim believers downward upon a c.ark world col]les from Christ, the Sun of Righteousness. (2) It is the Light that issues in life. (3) It'is a growing Light; ''.it increases to the perfect day." (4) It is a Light that can never be exti?:guish~d. Vers, .13-18.-'I71e ob}ecUon of the Pharisees, and the answer of our Lord. "Thou bearest testimony to thyself; thy testimoay is not true." 1. Superficially regarded, the ob}ect-ion was one of which Jesus himself had admitted the force. "If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true" (eh. v. 31). In that case he ha.d spoken of himseU as mere man. Now he speaks' 6f himself in his Divine nature. 2. But the essential characteristic of Christ's bein_q was that he was, as the Light, self-manifesting. He was himself his owri evidence. 'l'be Jews were standing in the light of day; they did not need any proof that the sun had risen, 3. Our Lord's answer claims his true position. (1) His own teaching is sufficient, for it is supported by sufficient guarantees. (2) Christianity is based on the testimony which Jesus gives of himself. "And still if 1 bear testimony of myself, my testimony is true: because I know whence I came, and whither I go." (a) Ho knows' that he came from heaven-that the "Son of man desc~itded from heaven;" (b) that he is "to go away" to heaven a.s his homo. (3) The ignorance of these Pharisees on these facts is their reproach. "But you, ye do not know whence I come, nor whither I go." (a) They imagined him to be the Son of Joseph and Mary. (b) They interpreted his words about" going away" to mean his dep,1rture among tho Gc,1~tiles, ?r to rnea11 suicide itself. (c) Their judgment was based upon appearancts, You Judge after the flesh." They deemed him to be no more than an ordinary man, n. sinner like thetaselves. If they had any spiritual discernment, they would have recognized his Divine nature. (d) His judgment was not single and alone. " I judge no 0110. And yet if I judRe, my j:.tdgment is true : because I am not alone, but I and the Father that sen.t .me.' The Pharisees formed their judgment without seeking higher guidance; but he did not judge apart from his Father. He but delivers 878 THE GOSPEL AOOORDING TO ST. .tOHN. (oit. vm.1--69.
tb the world the judgment of his Father. (e) His jndgment followed the full prescrip- tion of the Mosaic Le.w. "And it is moreover written in your Law, that the testimony of two men is true." There Wl\8 the double witness of himself and his Father. "I am One that hear witness concerning myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness ol'. me." (a) His miracles and his words were his own witnesses, (/J) The Father's witness w&B borne in prophecy, in the voice at the baptism and at the transfiguration, as well as in all the miracles of his personal ministry.