i am the light of the world

July 31 Scripture: John 8:12-18

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. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going.  You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one.  But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me.  In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true.  I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”


Journaling Prompts: 

  1. There are many references in scripture to darkness and light.  John 1.5; Ephesians 5.8; Ps. 119.105; Romans 13.12 to name a few.  Make your own list of verses about light and dark.  What are ways we experience “darkness” in ourselves and in the world around us?  How do we see Jesus, the Light of the world breaking through to bring hope?  Why or why not?

  2. The C.S. Lewis memorial plaque in Westminster Abbey reads: “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen.  Not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”  (CS Lewis).  How does this quote describe living in the light?  What does following Jesus as the Light of the World illuminate for us in terms of those around us and our world?

  3. Look at this painting by Georges de la Tour of the “Penitent Magdalene”.  Observe the light vs. dark aspect – why is she looking in the mirror?  What is she contemplating?  What is she holding?  How can we allow Jesus to cast light into our lives?  Are there places in our lives that we want to stay in the shadows vs. open to the Light https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/436839

  4. Have you ever been in a really dark place or been up in the mountains at night with little or no light around?  Describe what that felt like – then think about the stars or a flashlight and how it illuminates only a small portion of the path in front of you.  What does this tell us about following Jesus?