Finding the light switch

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.

Ever been in a pitch-dark room or space not knowing where the door is or a wall or furniture or where the light switch is? Maybe you stumble, walk into a wall or worse, stub your toe or fall. John starts his gospel speaking of Jesus as the light coming 1:4-13 he picks it up again in 3:19-21 where people love darkness and then in this passage Jesus confirms and declares I am the Light of the world. 

Jesus is teaching in the temple courts when he says this, yet the Pharisees didn’t accept his declaration or even know the Father. In v12, Jesus says whoever follows him won’t walk in darkness (there is no darkness in God, 1 John 1:5) but have the light, his light of life. Funny how people love to live in darkness without Jesus but clamber to find a light switch in a dark room. Jesus’s light enables us to walk and live always knowing where we are going, knowing the boundaries that never change. Whereas living in darkness you never know where the boundaries are as they and culture constantly shift, let alone know where you are going (heaven, hell, nowhere?).

The Christmas season allows us the opportunity to refocus on the Light, Jesus. Allow His light to shine and penetrate reorienting your life away from darkness. His light of salvation, forgiveness, healing, comfort, mercy, deliverance, love.

Lord Jesus thank you for being the Light by which we can truly live. Thank you that you have delivered me from the darkened world, having no direction, purpose or care. Thank you for pursuing me and changing my world to one of Light. Amen.

Written by Suzie Hodgson