I AM: Discovering the Nature of Jesus!
Sunday, February 29, 2004
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for another Sunday, when I may gather in worship with brothers and sisters through Your Son, Jesus Christ! I praise You for who You are and for all the ways You have demonstrated Your holiness and faithfulness to me. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit this day that I may worship You in Spirit and in truth, and that I may live boldly and confidently for You today and always. I pray this day that I may live with the Light of the World illuminating all my darkness, and showing me the way to think, speak and act to Your glory and honor. All this I pray in Jesus’ name and for the sake of His coming kingdom. Amen.
God's Word Today
John 18:12-20
12Jesus said to the people, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
13The Pharisees replied, “You are making false claims about yourself!”
14Jesus told them, “These claims are valid even though I make them about myself. For I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don’t know this about me. 15You judge me with all your human limitations, but I am not judging anyone. 16And if I did, my judgment would be correct in every respect because I am not alone—I have with me the Father who sent me. 17Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact. 18I am one witness, and my Father who sent me is the other.”
19“Where is your father?” they asked.
Jesus answered, “Since you don’t know who I am, you don’t know who my Father is. If you knew me, then you would know my Father, too.” 20Jesus made these statements while he was teaching in the section of the Temple known as the Treasury. But he was not arrested, because his time had not yet come.
Reflecting on God's Word
When you think of “light” what images come to your mind?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
What is Jesus’ “I am” statement in today’s reading and what does He say is the significance of it? (8:12)
What is the response of the Pharisees to Jesus’ claim? (8:13)
How does Jesus respond to the Pharisees’ accusation? (8:14-20)
Understanding God's Purpose
Why do you suppose that Jesus chose to use the image of “light” as part of the explanation for Himself as God?
How do you think you would have responded to Jesus’ comments about having come from His Father, and knowing where He was going in response to the Pharisees’ accusation that He was a liar?
Applying God's Word to Our Lives
What is the most important application of today’s reading for your life right now?
Thoughts... I Am The Light of the World!
The second of Jesus’ “I Am” statements is, “I am the Light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” This statement makes it abundantly clear that Jesus wants us to follow Him for our own good! While other leaders may want us to follow them for their benefit, Jesus wants us to follow Him so that we will “walk without stumbling.” The sign of true greatness in a leader is the desire for the followers to be blessed. No leader has ever desired this more than Jesus. In another place Jesus told His disciples that He had not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. As we go about our daily lives, we have the promise of Jesus that as long as we follow Him, He will show us the way that leads to life—eternal life. What a promise! We needn’t worry about what lies ahead, since Jesus is clearing the way. That doesn’t mean we won’t have any challenges or problems. It means that Jesus will guide us through them, as we give Him control. Will we give Jesus control today? Will we let Jesus be the sole guide of our lives? As we do the way becomes clear and life gains a new meaning!
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