November 14, 2016

JESUS, THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD!

John 8:12–30

Johnathan Collins
Monday's Devo

November 14, 2016

Monday's Devo

November 14, 2016

Central Truth

The world is shrouded in sin and darkness. Into that darkness came Jesus, the Son of God and the Light of the World. Not just “a” light, but “the” light. Those who believe and follow Him will have the light of life that can only be found in Him.

Key Verse | John 8:12

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

John 8:12–30

I Am the Light of the World

12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 13 So the Pharisees said to him, “You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true.” 14 Jesus answered, “Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for 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. 15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father 1 8:16 Some manuscripts he who sent me. 17 In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. 18 I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” 19 They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” 20 These words he spoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple; but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.

21 So he said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.” 22 So the Jews said, “Will he kill himself, since he says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” 23 He said to them, “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, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” 25 So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning. 26 I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.” 27 They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father. 28 So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. 29 And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” 30 As he was saying these things, many believed in him.

Footnotes

[1] 8:16 Some manuscripts he

Dive Deeper | John 8:12–30

John wrote his Gospel so that we would believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. John repeatedly and boldly, from his very first verse, proclaims Jesus’ deity. And Jesus’ claims were no less bold.

Here, with the backdrop of the Feast of Tabernacles, which included a lamp-lighting ceremony during which Jews would light numerous lamps, dance, and celebrate God’s provision, Jesus declared that He is “the” light of the world. The Jews listening would have and did understand the implication of Jesus’ statement, as they would have associated light with God’s presence. They pushed back and asked for another witness to corroborate Jesus’ claims. Jesus didn’t need another witness, but in a “be careful what you wish for” moment, Jesus boldly claimed the witness of His Father who sent Him.

Jesus can’t just be a good guy or a good teacher. He’s either God or a liar or a lunatic. And if I truly believe He’s God, who emptied Himself, took form of a man, and was obedient to the point of death in order to save me, then my only rational response is to fall on my face, worship, and be fully devoted to following Him.

But is that how I respond? Or do I worship work, success, and material ease? Do I find my identity in Him or in how others perceive me? Do I abide with Him and spend time in His Word, or do I allow the craziness of life with four kids to crowd Him out? Jesus is the Light of the World. He is God, my Lord, and my Savior. I pray that I respond accordingly.

Discussion Questions

1. Who do you say Jesus is?

2. If your life bears witness to who you say Jesus is, does the testimony it provides corroborate your answer to Question 1? 

3. Is there any area in your life in which you have attached strings to your devotion to Christ?