Day 30-Thursday, March 14th
John 8:12-20
Light in the Darkness

As a college student, I had the privilege (or misfortune?) of going on a spelunking trip as a leader with our church’s youth ministry. Trying to appear brave for a group of junior high boys was easy enough I suppose but deep down inside I was very apprehensive. What if we got lost in the caves? What if all of our flashlights burned out and we got lost in the pitch-black darkness of the caves? What if our guide forgot the way and we got lost in the caves and were never heard from again? (I was really afraid of getting lost.) Once we arrived at the caves, we were all surprised by the news that we were going to be camping inside the cave! Yippee! That night as we all lay down to sleep and one by one turned off our flashlights, the darkness descended upon us. It was so dark I literally could not see my hand one inch from my face. I didn’t sleep well that night and have not forgotten the experience over the years.

Jesus came to a people “walking in darkness” to bring light and hope to the world. Speaking again in the Temple, Jesus shares this with the people.

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.” John 8:12 NIV
Instead of embracing and celebrating this wonderful truth, the Jewish leaders use this as yet another excuse to challenge Jesus about His identity and authority. They claim His statements aren’t valid because there is no one else who can testify on His behalf that His statements are true.
The Pharisees challenged Him, “Here You are, appearing as Your own witness; your testimony is not valid.” John 8:13 NIV

Jesus responds that He doesn’t need to defend Himself because He knows the truth and that is more than enough. If they do need a second witness, God the Father is this witness.

In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. I am one who testifies for Myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent Me.” John 8:17-18 NIV

The Pharisees next question is predictable and expected…

Then they asked Him, “Where is Your father?” John 8:19a NIV
Jesus points out that this is exactly the issue-they don’t actually know the Father.
“You do not know Me or My Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew Me, you would know My Father also.” John 8:19b NIV

This is a sad exchange, but it also highlights why the people were walking in darkness-the religious leaders themselves were walking in darkness. Jesus came because the spiritual situation in Israel was darker than that cave where I camped with the junior high boys. Claiming to be the spiritual leaders of the nation, these men couldn’t recognize God in the flesh standing right in front of them. They couldn’t recognize Him because they don’t actually know God Himself.

Thankfully, Jesus also came so that we would not have to walk in darkness, wandering lost and without direction through life. Jesus came to bring the light of salvation to our hearts and that light would lead us to truly experience life here on this side of heaven and beyond. What is holding us back from embracing this light?

Questions to consider:
When have you ever missed the truth of something that was right before you? Why?
In what area of your life to you need to allow Jesus to shine His light and bring is life? Ask Him to bring this life right now.

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