December 31, 2018
John 8:12-19 New Living Translation (NLT)
If someone came to you and claimed they had the power to help you avoid the dark and dangerous places in life, what would you do? His or her claim would call for a response from you wouldn’t it? Jesus claims to be the Light of the World that leads to spiritual life, so we must respond to his claim. Either we believe it and are willing to use our faith to follow him. Or, we refuse to believe it and therefore deny that Word any power in our lives. Much of Scripture is like this scenario. The Word speaks and we respond with either “Yes Lord,” or “Won’t believe it.”
Tonight, we will step into a New Year. This can be a new beginning in your spiritual life with Christ. He claims to be the Light and he invites you to walk with him in the Light of His Love. He claims you never have to walk in darkness again. To stay close to Jesus is to stay close to the Source of Light or Truth. He alone knows your heart and the plans he has for you. So, stay the course and see where the Light takes you this year.
John 8:12-19 Jesus, the Light of the World
12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
13 The Pharisees replied, “You are making those claims about yourself! Such testimony is not valid.”
14 Jesus told them, “These claims are valid even though I make them about myself. For I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don’t know this about me. 15 You judge me by human standards, but I do not judge anyone. 16 And if I did, my judgment would be correct in every respect because I am not alone. The Father[a] who sent me is with me. 17 Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact. 18 I am one witness, and my Father who sent me is the other.”
19 “Where is your father?” they asked.
Jesus answered, “Since you don’t know who I am, you don’t know who my Father is. If you knew me, you would also know my Father.”
Prayer: Lord, being able to walk in the Light of your love is a precious gift that leads to true living. I want the life you offer. Yes, Lord, I believe and will follow. In Jesus’ name. Amen.