Psalm of Praise: Psalms 36:7-9
How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house;
you give them drink from your river of delights.
For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
Bible Reading: John 8:12-14, 28
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."
The Pharisees challenged him, "Here you are, appearing as your own witness;
your testimony is not valid."
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.
"When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.
A Reflection:
Darkness comes in many forms. There is the darkness of night when there are no streetlights and the moon and the stars are obscured by cloud. There is the darkness of unknowing when we the future is uncertain and we don’t know what is happening around us, and there is the darkness of sin when evil abounds and people get hurt.
Today, with house lights, streetlights, headlights, security lights, LED clocks and torches on mobile phones, we rarely experience physical darkness, in fact quite the opposite. Not so in Jesus’ time. Then the people knew what it was like to walk in darkness, to trip, to stumble and to lose your way.
It was no doubt with this in mind that Jesus made the first of his outrageous ‘I Am’ claims as he said, ‘I am the light of the world.’ In saying this he wasn’t speaking about the light in our homes or on our streets, he was speaking about the light that shines in the darkness of unknowing and in the darkness of sin.
When we are unsure about decisions we have to make, Jesus is the light that will illuminate our path and guide us on our way. When we are confronted with evil and sin, past or present, Jesus is the light that will dispel the darkness and lead us to freedom and to peace.
Are there things that concern you about the future? Bring them to Jesus and allow him to shine his light and to guide you forwards.
Are there things in your past or present that bring pain and fear? Bring them to Jesus and allow him to shine his light and lead you to freedom.
Pray:
Thank you, Lord Jesus, that in your light we see light.
May your light dispel the darkness in my life and guide me along the pathway you have marked out for me.
Amen
Light of the world, you stepped down into darkness