Light of Life
In the desert, the light from God led the Israelites through the darkness.
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’ Then the Pharisees said to him, ‘You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid.’ Jesus answered, ‘Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid because I know where I have come from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards; I judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my judgement is valid; for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. In your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid. 1 testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me testifies on my behalf.’ Then they said to him, ‘Where is your Father?’ Jesus answered, ‘You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.’- John 8:12-19
The Pharisees challenge Jesus for testifying on his own behalf, which leads to a conversation about Jesus and the Father being one, a much deeper and more threatening statement than saying he is the light sent from God.
John wants us to see how the sign given in the desert points to Jesus, who comes to help us find our way out of darkness. With Him, we are never alone, and we always know the way.
Isn't it better to be in the light than in darkness?
Throughout the Gospel of John, the signs we are given point to one thing, that Jesus is the Messiah and in Him we have life.
The amazing thing is this is to benefit us now, not after we die, though we will enjoy eternal life then. John tells us that Jesus has always been, and will always be, so even now we can call out to Him for help and He is there.
Who wouldn't want to share that light with all who live in darkness?
That is the message for us today. We need to share the light and be the light.
I guess that means we have to venture into the darkness to bring the light where it needs to go.
More to come...