THE STORY OF JESUS: John 8:12-20
“Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
Jesus is using figurative, spiritual language again.
Do you know what it feels like to be ‘walking in the dark’?
To be confused, or to have dark, depressive thoughts or feelings.
How about times when you feel the ‘light of life’ inside of you?
Not biological life, but to feel alive, fulfilled, satisfied, hopeful.
Western society is seeing two developments occurring simultaneously.
There is the decline in faith in God, and the rise in mental illness.
I cannot scientifically prove the connection, but I suspect it.
If there is nothing beyond ourselves to live for, what give us LIFE?
People speak of the need for faith, hope and love.
But we cannot seem to produce it for ourselves, despite out best efforts.
God is the source of life and light, and He has made it available in Jesus.
“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” (John 1:4)
Are you experiencing the light of LIFE, of faith, hope and love in God?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I have experienced the light of LIFE, yet I still experience darkness. I know which one I want. I want You, and the light that only you can bring. Shine in me!
Jesus is the Light of the world.
Nothing grows without light.
Light reveals what is hidden.
Light gives Life.
AS His followers I need to walk in His SonShine every day. He lights up my Way in which to walk. His Light is the Light of the world. Following other lights – artificial lights – will lead me astray and make me stumble and fall and loose my way.
On this new day, the ‘Son’ is shining and I will walk in that SonShine.
1 Hark! the herald angels sing,
Jesus, the light of the world.
Glory to the newborn King,
Jesus, the light of the world.
Refrain:
We’ll walk in the light, beautiful light.
Come where the dewdrops of mercy shine bright.
O, shine all around us by day and by night.
Jesus, the light of the world.
2 Joyful, all you nations, rise.
Jesus, the light of the world.
Join the triumph of the skies.
Jesus, the light of the world. [Refrain]
3 Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Jesus, the light of the world.
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Jesus, the light of the world. [Refrain]
4 Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Jesus, the light of the world.
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Jesus, the light of the world.