John 8:12-30
Friday, 26 March 2021
“…if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be you will indeed die in your sins” -John 8:24
Many of us understand Christ Jesus the way we choose to, not by what He has declared Himself to be. Jesus made such high claims that the people who heard him then and who hear him now find it hard to digest them. C.S. Lewis says after listening to His claims, “One can either call him a “Liar, a Lunatic or Lord.” Even as you read today’s Scripture, would you examine yourself to see who He is to you?
The Pharisees were confused and asked Him “Who are you?” (Vs.25) Today’s reading unravels the answer to this question.
I. Darkness Dispeller: “I am the Light.” (John 8:12)
Here Jesus claims to be the only Light in the World – not one of the many lights – He just does not light up the world but in Him we who were once darkness, become light (Eph.5:8). Isaiah 9:2 prophesied that people who walk in darkness will see a great light- Jesus fulfilled this prophecy by declaring in John 12:46 “that He came into the world as Light and that no one who believes in Him will stay in darkness.”
How does He dispel this darkness and shine His light into our lives?
From Ignorance to Truth: 2 Corinthians 4: 6 “For God, who said “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” God shines His truth to us through Christ.
From the wrong to the right path: John 8:12 – We do not have to work out our salvation by our meaningless rituals and traditions, but God’s Word will be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Ps. 119:105) guiding us in our daily walk with Christ.
Can this be the testimony of your life?
II. Deity in Human form (Vs 16-29)
Moses in Deut. 6:4 taught the Israelites that “The Lord their God is One.” The second claim that Jesus made was that he repeatedly reiterated that He and the Father were One (John 10:30). By this claim he proclaimed His deity and made Himself equal with God. This offended the Jews to such an extent that they plotted to kill him. Even today this claim of Jesus offends a lot of people that many of his disciples face opposition and even death for proclaiming this truth.
Has this claim become a stumbling block in your life? Just as the Jews refused to acknowledge Christ for who He is— one sent by God to reveal Himself, to save humankind from being eternally separated from Him— are you refusing Him still? Just like the Jews we take pride in their lineage and their many righteous acts are you trying to seek being made right with God similarly? All our good efforts can never break the cords of sin around us, but Jesus can! He came to set you and me, free from the shackles of sin so that through Him we can receive the righteousness God desires.
Would you acknowledge Christ for who He is?-His light can dispel all darkness and doubt in your heart and lead you to a dawn of new hope and life everlasting in Him!
Quote for the Day: Today when you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled. (Hebrews 3:15)
Listen: ‘There is no one like You’
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