Week 38—Sunday John 8:34-36
John 8:34-36
“DWELL WITHIN THE REVELATION I HAVE BROUGHT”
This passage is of the greatest importance in our study of the Word become flesh: “If you dwell within the revelation I have brought, you are indeed my disciples; you shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32, NEB). What was the “revelation” he had “brought”? Was it like the “revelation” the Hindu Vedas brought? They say that Sanscrit is an eternal language and the Vedas written in that eternal language are eternal. But the revelation was in a language—a verbal revelation. The Koran was dictated by God in a heavenly language, Arabic, but it was dictated—a verbal revelation. The Sikhs treat their sacred book, the Granth Sahib, as if it were a person; they keep it under mosquito nets, fan it, and put it to sleep. It is a book—a verbal revelation. The Old Testament centered around the Law: “We have a law,” said the Jews to Pilate (John 19:7). It too was verbal revelation. All the philosophies and moralisms are verbal revelation. They are, one and all, the Word become word.
What was the difference in “the revelation I have brought”? Note, “I have brought”—it was not “the revelation I have uttered”—it was “brought”—brought in his own Person—the Word become flesh. That sets this “revelation” apart, unique. You can’t study it alongside these other “revelations,” so called, for they are not in the same category. One is taught, and the other is brought. And the words he uttered were a part of the bringing, for his words were the revelation of his own self, every word operative within himself. So his words were deeds, and his deeds were words.
Now note: “If you dwell within the revelation I have brought”—if you “dwell within,” not dabble in or delve in, but “dwell” in—make it your home, your life commitment, your very life, then with that standpoint and viewpoint you are his “disciples [and] you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.” Now you know the truth because you belong to the Truth.
O Jesus, you are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. And when I take you as the Way—the way to live, the way to be, then I find you as the Truth. You do not bring me truths—you are the Truth. This makes me free. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: I shall not be a visitor—I shall dwell within the Revelation Jesus has brought.