Monday | Week 8
John begins his Gospel in John 1:4-5 stating that the Word (Jesus) is, “…the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Now in chapter 8, we see Jesus proclaim, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (v.12). This bold statement by Jesus did not sit well with the religious establishment of that day.
First, they say he had no right to make claims about himself, that only a witness can validate someone’s testimony. Jesus answered by saying his Father is his witness. An almost comical discussion follows, with the religious leaders trying multiple times to trip him up. Jesus clearly answers each provocation with the simple truth.
In fact, it was too simple and too convicting for them to accept that Jesus is the Son of God who has come to take away the sins of the world for those who believe. Their self-serving dark conclusion: Jesus must be a demon possessed Samaritan.
Chapter 9 begins with a show-and-tell on light and darkness. Jesus heals a man who was blind from birth. As word spreads of this miracle, the Pharisees can’t believe it. Surely this is a case of mistaken identity or maybe he was never actually blind! After these two conclusions are shown to be incorrect, the Pharisees then find something upon which they can pounce; Jesus healed this man on the Sabbath, and surely healing is a form of work, which therefore is not allowed on the Sabbath.
The religious leaders have been exposed to the Light, but they consistently choose to remain separated from it. But the blind man now sees light instead of darkness, and chooses the Light of the world. In verse 38 he proclaims, “Lord, I believe.” And then he worshiped Jesus.
May each of us daily pursue the light of Jesus, rather than the darkness of excuses and unbelief.
Discussion Questions
What did the religious leaders worry they would lose, if they believed what Jesus said?
Are there areas of your life in which the darkness is more comfortable than the light?
In chapter 9 Jesus said that man’s blindness wasn’t caused by sin. What do you think about what Jesus said after that?
How is worship an affirmation of our belief?