“I am the light of the world”
Daily Scripture
John 8:12-14, 25-33; 9:1-7
John 8
12 Jesus spoke to the people again, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me won’t walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
13 Then the Pharisees said to him, “Because you are testifying about yourself, your testimony isn’t valid.”
14 Jesus replied, “Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, since I know where I came from and where I’m going. You don’t know where I come from or where I’m going.
25 “Who are you?” they asked.
Jesus replied, “I’m exactly who I have claimed to be from the beginning. 26 I have many things to say in judgment concerning you. The one who sent me is true, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.” 27 They didn’t know he was speaking about his Father. 28 So Jesus said to them, “When the Human One [or Son of Man] is lifted up [or exalted], then you will know that I Am. Then you will know that I do nothing on my own, but I say just what the Father has taught me. 29 He who sent me is with me. He doesn’t leave me by myself, because I always do what makes him happy.” 30 While Jesus was saying these things, many people came to believe in him.
31 Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teaching. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
33 They responded, “We are Abraham’s children; we’ve never been anyone’s slaves. How can you say that we will be set free?”
John 9
1 As Jesus walked along, he saw a man who was blind from birth. 2 Jesus’ disciples asked, “Rabbi, who sinned so that he was born blind, this man or his parents?”
3 Jesus answered, “Neither he nor his parents. This happened so that God’s mighty works might be displayed in him. 4 While it’s daytime, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 After he said this, he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and smeared the mud on the man’s eyes. 7 Jesus said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (this word means sent). So the man went away and washed. When he returned, he could see.
Daily Reflection & Prayer
In John 8:12 Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” His opponents objected to that “I Am” statement, and eventually Jesus made one of his boldest “I Am” statements: “Before Abraham was, I Am” (cf. John 8:56-59). He also said that he was “from the beginning.” His enemies were furious, ready to stone Jesus for blasphemy. In John 9, John showed Jesus acting out his identity as “light of the world,” giving sight to a man blind from birth.
- When Jesus said, “The truth will set you free” (John 8:32), his foes said, “We’ve never been anyone’s slaves. How can you say that we will be set free?” They were in denial politically—one historian called Israel’s life under Rome a “semi-slavery.” Worse, they were spiritually captive to their own self-importance. Have you ever felt, “I’m fine—I don’t need what Christ offers”? Is there any part of your life now where it’s hard to accept that you need Christ’s light to set you free?
- In John 9, Jesus repeated his claim to be “the light of the world.” At what age or stage did Christ’s light first shine into your life? What were some of the first things that you remember seeing more clearly in the light of Jesus’ love and grace? Has Christ’s light helped to clear your sight in one or two meaningful ways during the Lenten season so far? Is there an area where you want to ask prayerfully for Jesus’ light to shine into a darkness you are struggling with?
Prayer
Lord, continue your heavenly “eye surgery” in me. Make it more and more true in all parts of my life that “I once was blind, but now I see.” Amen.
GPS Insights
Lydia Kim
Lydia Kim serves as one of the pastors of Connection and Care at Resurrection Leawood. An avid believer that growing in faith pairs well with fellowship and food, she is always ready for recommendations on local restaurants and coffee shops.
I walked through one of the darkest periods of my life in college. Several people I cared about had died, some by suicide, in a very short period of time. The compounded grief I did not process led to anger, failing grades, and lost relationships. I felt hollow and lost, unable to see God’s love or goodness, and hopeless.
When Jesus says, “I am the light of the world,” I am reminded of this time in my life. Just when I thought God had given up on me, or maybe that God didn’t care or exist, I was surrounded by people who brought light into my darkness. People, some of whom I am still friends with, some strangers, extended the light of God’s love and grace in a way that changed the direction of my life forever.
What I learned from all the people who shared Jesus’ light with me is that most often, it was the smallest deeds – a hug, a prayer on a post-it note, a random box of cookies showing up at my door, that helped to push back the darkness little by little. Jesus used people to help me to see God’s light, and we all can do the same! We who are called to be disciples can make a difference in big and small ways.
I pray that you will listen to the Spirit’s nudge to share the light of Jesus with someone this week. And for those walking through darkness, I want you to know you’re not alone. May you feel the light of Christ’s love shining in your life today and always.
