New Testament Study Guide # 15 PDF

Gospel Doctrine Lesson Fifteen

Purpose: To strengthen class members

testimonies that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that by following him

we can gain true freedom:

I am the light of the world

The Feast of the Tabernacles Jewish Culture

The Feast of the Tabernacles occurred in early October. Originally it was seven days in length, but later one more day was added. During these eight days the inhabitants of Jerusalem built hut-like structures out palm and myrtle branches, which they thatched over, and families moved out of

their houses and lived in them. This was to remind them that for forty years their ancestors had wandered in the wilderness and lived in tents. More sacrifices were offered at the temple during this week than during any other religious holiday in Israel. Each day during the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles, one of the chief priests would lead a procession down through the Kidron Valley to the pool of Siloam (which translated from Hebrew means, "the one who was sent").

Announced by trumpets, the priest filled a golden pitcher, carried it back to the temple, and then poured it over the altar to remind the people of the days in the wilderness when God gave them

water out of a rock. Upon seeing the reenactment of this great miracle, the people would shout and wave palm branches, rejoicing and praising God. On the seventh day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out saying, If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as

the Scriptures hath said, out of his heart will flow living water (John 7:37-38).

How would you describe living, spiritual water to someone who didnt know about it?

Describe a time you were spiritually dehydrated. What happened? (Snarling temper? Waves of worry? Black clouds raining down guilt and fear?)

In order for Jesus to do what water does, you must let him go where water goes. Deep, deep inside. We must internalize him. We must drink deeply from his well of inspired teachings. How can

you let more fully let Jesus into the inner workings of your life?

The Woman Taken In Adultery John 7:53-8:11

What did Jesus write in the sand? When you realize that this is the only time

in recorded scriptures that Jesus ever wrote anything, you cannot help but wish

that someone had preserved what he wrote.

Many scholars assume that he wrote four words. Four words written once before by the finger of God, in the history of Israel. In the book of Daniel there is the story of King Belshazzar who put on a great feast and drunken revels and debauchery of every type was going on. Finally, the king resorted to the ultimate blasphemy of using in the revelry the sacred vessels

that had been taken from the temple in Jerusalem. Suddenly a great hand

appeared and wrote four words on the wall. The king turned ashen, and all the lords and courtiers were stunned and

silent. They did not know the meaning of the Persian words, "MENE, MENE, TEKEL,

UPHARSIN," which appeared, so they called in the prophet Daniel to interpret them. His interpretation was, "You are weighed in the

balance and found wanting," (Daniel 5:25-29). If that is what Jesus wrote, we

can understand the actions of these men. Verse 9 says, "But when they heard it..." They could see what he wrote and the

words rang in their heads as though they had been spoken. "When they heard it,

they went away, one by one, beginning with the eldest."

Thought Questions

Why do you think that the elderly men departed first, followed by the

younger men?

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Why didnt Jesus condemn her since she had sinned? Is Jesus being lenient on sin?

Jesus knows you. I mean really knows you. And he has chosen to love you anyway. Jesus loves with an

informed passion. Jesus didnt look at that woman as a stranger for whom he could practice mercy. He saw her for exactly who she was and what she had done. And yet, despite his awareness, Jesus did not treat her as an object to make a point or a pawn to manipulate. He spoke the truth., but he did so kindly. And then he set her free to go and sin no more. No matter how often we come to Christ, burdened and fallen, he will always say to us, as he did to the woman taken in adultery, Go, and sin

no more.

I am the light of the world

Light at the Feast of the Tabernacles

As part of the ritual of the seven-day feast, every evening four giant lamps in the temple court were lit, and the people celebrated under their light. Remember this was a time

when cities were usually dark at night. This was a very special occasion, and it was reported

that the light from the temple area at the top of Mount Zion brought a glow to the entire city of Jerusalem. It was in this context that Jesus got up and claimed to be the Light of

the World

Read these other verses that use the image of light. How do they help you as you think about making Jesus the light

of your life.

John 12:36 Luke 11:36 D&C 50:24 Alma 19:6 D&C 88:11 1 John 1:7