After John 3:16, fast-forward to John 8:12; the curriculum had changed: “Then Jesus spoke again to them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life”. Initially, we just had to believe in Him; going forward, we’re required to follow Him.

The Pharisees and Sadducees actually never doubted Him, but could not just bring themselves to follow Him. This was expressed several times in their dialogue: “Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, ‘What do we?’ for this man does many miracles. If we let him alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation” (John 11:47-48).

Also, the Pharisees and Sadducees came tempting, and desired that he would show them a sign from heaven. He answered, “You hypocrites! You can discern the seasons, but cannot discern the signs of the times? No sign will be given beyond that which you already know” (Matt. 16:1-4). That is, as people given to study and discernment, they knew the signs clearly, amplifying themselves, but chose to disregard them.

He's saying it’s not so difficult to understand and accept the Truth, but they chose to be blinded and blind others. “For the invisible things of HIM from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: because that, when they knew HIM (as God), they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened” (Rom. 1:20-21).

Two key insights emerge from the passage above:

1. The Analogy of Being – "The invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made".
2. The Divine Nature – "His eternal power and Godhead"

God, who at sundry times and in diverse manners spoke in time past (Hebrews 1:1). Let’s take a chronological adventure into these sundry times.

Continued…