The Light of the World

 Today's Reading: 
Numbers 2:1-3:51
John 8:1-20
Psalm 37:10-20
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Focus Verses: John 8:12-13, 23-25
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." - - - 23 But he continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins." 25 "Who are you?" they asked. "Just what I have been claiming all along," Jesus replied.

Insight:
Jesus makes astounding claims and promises. He claims to be the light of life, to be from above, and to be the one who saves from sin. These claims must be dealt with—they must be rejected or accepted. Is Jesus lying? Is he crazy? Is he misunderstood or misrepresented? Or is he telling the truth? Faith in Jesus means believing he is what and who he claims to be.

Response and Action:
Some people argue that Jesus never claimed to be God, or the Son of God, or the Messiah, or the only way to be saved. These people have either never read the Gospel of John or doubt the reliability of the Gospel of John. John was clearly writing to present Jesus' claims and to convince people to believe them. I trust the reliability of scripture and accept Jesus' astounding claims. Now I have the opportunity to live by these claims and see if they prove to be true in my own experience.

I believe your claims, Jesus. I will keep your claims and promises clearly before me as I read and study scripture and apply it to my life. Help me to experience the truth of your claims in my life as I follow you in faith. Fill me with life and light. Confirm the truth of your claims as I walk with you each day. I will keep my eyes and ears open for everything that validates your claims. Show yourself to be true in my daily life, O God. Amen.

Spiritual Formation Verses: 1 John 5:11-12
11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Resources:
The Challenge of Jesus: Rediscovering Who Jesus Was and Is
by N.T. Wright