Thursday 14 March, 2019
John 8:12-20
12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 13 The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.” 14 Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. 16 But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. 17 In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. 18 I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.” 19 Then they asked him, “Where is your father?” “You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” 20 He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come.
Jesus proclaims himself to be the Light of the world. A rather brazen statement, the Pharisees don’t miss a beat challenging Jesus about such a claim. They question him on his authority saying he needs someone to verify his statement. Jesus doesn’t balk: My statement is valid even without someone else backing me up (v14).
How can Jesus be so sure of himself? How can He be so confident when people question Him?
More than confidence, Jesus has assurance. He knows. He knows who He belongs to, He knows who sent Him. He knows where He came from and where He is going. More than purpose, Jesus has a relationship with His Father. He knows: I am not alone (v16). I am One of two (v16 AMP). There are two of us, I and the Father (v16 AMP).
This relationship gives Jesus an unshakeable strength and steadfastness. He doesn’t care what others think. His life is undergirded by the closeness He has with His Father.
Lord Jesus, I thank you that you model the type of relationship I too can have with our Heavenly Father. One that is my source of strength and assurance. One that helps me disregard questions and doubts.
Written by Gab Martin
I too want that confidence that Jesus had as well. Confidence in who He was, whom he belonged to & what path He needed to go even though it led to his death.