Day 53: Light of the World

John 8:12-20

New International Version (NIV)

Dispute Over Jesus’ Testimony

 ¹² 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.” ¹³ The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.”
 ¹⁴ Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. ¹⁵ You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. ¹⁶ But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. ¹⁷ In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. ¹⁸ I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”
 ¹⁹ Then they asked him, “Where is your father?”
   “You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” ²⁰ He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come.

I am the light of the world. What a powerful statement. As I pictured this scene playing out in the temple courts, I started thinking what would happen if I heard someone say this. I confess that I tend to be a cynic at heart, so I have a sneaking suspicion that I would automatically dismiss this person as crazy. A lunatic. And yet, instead, He was Lord.

Sometimes I think that I'm glad that I didn't live in the time of Jesus, simply because I wonder how I would have reacted to his claims in person. Would I have been like the Pharisees and teachers of the law, refusing to accept what was right in front of me. Honestly, I can't say.

On the other hand, Jesus obviously did some incredible things. Undeniably, unequivocally incredible, which is so many who did see it in person did believe.

Jesus made some bold claims in his 33 years on the earth. He's the only person who has ever lived who could make them. So when he said, "I am the light of the world," or "You do not know me or my Father," he was able to say them with authority.

One day I hope we get to see "instant reply" of these things we read about all our lives, and this is a scene I'll request. I'd love to see the expressions on the people's faces, and I'd love to hear the tone that Jesus used.

He still is the light of the world.