Study Desk

"You will look for Me, and will not [be able to] find Me; and where I am, you cannot come."

"What does this statement of His mean, 'You will look for Me, and will not [be able to] find Me; and where I am, you cannot come'?"

Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, "I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."

Jesus replied, "Even if I do testify on My own behalf, My testimony is valid, because I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going.

"But even if I do judge, My judgment is true and My decision is right; for I am not alone [in making it], but I and the Father who sent Me [make the same judgment].

"I am One [of the Two] who testifies about Myself, and My Father who sent Me testifies about Me."

Then He said again to them, "I am going away, and you will look for Me, and you will die [unforgiven and condemned] in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come."

So the Jews were asking [among themselves], "Will He kill Himself? Is that why He says, 'Where I am going, you cannot come'?"

He said to them, "You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world.

"That is why I told you that you will die [unforgiven and condemned] in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am the One [I claim to be], you will die in your sins."

So Jesus said, "When you lift up the Son of Man [on the cross], you will know then [without any doubt] that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own authority, but I say these things just as My Father taught Me.

"Why do you misunderstand what I am saying? It is because [your spiritual ears are deaf and] you are unable to hear [the truth of] My word.

"However, I am not seeking glory for Myself. There is One who seeks [glory for Me] and judges [those who dishonor Me].

Jesus replied, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, before Abraham was born, I Am."

"As long as I am in the world, I am the Light of the world [giving guidance through My word and works]."

Some said, "It is he." Still others said, "No, but he looks like him." But he kept saying, "I am the man."

So Jesus said again, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I am the Door for the sheep [leading to life].

"I am the Door; anyone who enters through Me will be saved [and will live forever], and will go in and out [freely], and find pasture (spiritual security).

"I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His [own] life for the sheep.

"I am the Good Shepherd, and I know [without any doubt those who are] My own and My own know Me [and have a deep, personal relationship with Me]—