Tag: John 8:12
Know the true light!
Scripture reading for March 18: Luke 11
“No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.” Luke 11:33-36
The setting of this teaching revolved around Jesus casting out a demon from a man who was mute. The man was instantly delivered and began to talk. But some people said that Jesus cast out the demon by Beelzebul, who was considered by the Jews to be the prince of demons. (Luke 11:14-20) Jesus carefully explained that no kingdom divided against itself could stand. The casting out of that demon was by the ‘finger of God’ and demonstrated that the powerful kingdom of God was in their midst. Satan’s kingdom of darkness is always trying to twist the light of truth and keep people in darkness. Unredeemed man loves darkness and refused to come to the light. (John 3:19)
Jesus used the example of a lamp being lit to drive out darkness. The lamp would be put on a stand to help everyone see. The eye is the lamp of our body as well. If our eye is healthy, it allows light to come into the body that we might see things clearly. If our eye is bad, our lives will be dominated by darkness. From these simple illustrations, Jesus warned those judging Him as using Satan’s power to cast out demons, that their ‘eyes’ were ‘bad’ and they really were living in darkness. The Word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. (Psalm 119:105) Jesus is the Light of the world and in Him is no darkness at all or shadow of turning. (John 8:12) Healthy eyes are a necessity for a godly worldview.
Have you ever judged someone to be evil when they were actually sharing truth? When you take a spiritual eye exam, how would you rate the quality of light in your own soul? Are there areas of ‘darkness’ that you need to invite Jesus to shine His light on?
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You are the Light of the world. Thank You for Your Word as light in my life. Cleanse me of any darkness by bringing Jesus’ Word to my eyes and heart. Use me to reflect Your light through my daily life of faith and witness. Amen.
Walls of Salvation–Gates of Praise!
Scripture reading for August 1: Isaiah 58-62
“”No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise. The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.” Isaiah 60:18-19
There’s a song out that uses the thoughts of these verses of Isaiah. Chris Tomlin sings “My Deliverer” and I love the chorus about the walls and gates of the New Jerusalem! This passage and chapter of Isaiah have many similarities with Revelation 21 and the vision of the Apostle John and it is exciting to see that God’s plans are firmly established and moving forward.
Our nation and world are in deep darkness. The peoples of the earth for the most part are living in ignorance of the Lord and His light. It was the vision of Isaiah that as the world lay in darkness, a call to arise and shine would be given to God’s people. (Isaiah 60:1-2) This might refer to the rapture of the Church at the end of time as well as when Jesus first appeared. The Glory of the Lord will rise upon the earth and nations will come to the brightness of that new dawning. Jesus Christ came into the darkness of this world and proclaimed that He was the light of the world! (John 8:12) Whoever would follow Him will never walk in darkness but would have the light of life! At the end of time we will shine like the brightness of heaven and the stars! (Daniel 12:3)
From the witness of the light of God within His church, Jesus Christ is populating the New Jerusalem. It’s walls are salvation. We are protected by God’s saving grace through the gift of forgiveness. We are saved from the penalty of our sins and eternal judgment in the lake of fire and outer darkness. It’s gates are praise! Those who enter come singing and praising the One who gave them life and eternal light! God is their light and they have no darkness in them! There are no more tears, crying or pain. Eternal light from God’s glory fills the city and it’s inhabitants!
When this will happen is not known by any man. But the Lord tells us that in it’s time, it will be done swiftly! We must be ready and watching! “I am the Lord; in its time I will do this swiftly.” (Isaiah 60:22b) “He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon. (quickly)” (Revelation 22:20)
Light and darkness of soul
Scripture reading for March 17th: Luke 11
Key Scriptures: Luke 11:33-36 “No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.”
Jesus used light and darkness often in his teaching. Here he talked about the lighting of a lamp dispelling darkness. He stated that the eye is the lamp of our body and that when the eye is functioning properly, our whole being is flooded with light. When the eye ceases to function, darkness comes over us. Our eye takes light and reveals natural and spiritual truth. If the light coming in is really darkness, we have a big problem. Jesus was talking about deception that brings darkness to the soul from lying spirits of evil. A humble and teachable heart invites Jesus to bring true light into our souls and flood our being with pure light. The entrance of God’s Word brings true light, revealing spiritual truth and exposing deception.
John 8:12 “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Faith confession and prayer: Thank You Jesus that the entrance of Your Word brings light to my soul. Help me to let Your light shine today through my life and testimony, illuminating the darkness of this world. Give me discernment to keep me from deception.
Psalm 119:130 “The unfolding of Your Words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.”
The Light of the World
Scripture reading for April 16th: 1st Samuel 31, 2nd Samuel 1-2, John 8
Key Scriptures: John 8:12 “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:28-29 “So Jesus said to them, “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 authority, but speak just as the father taught Me. And He who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.”
2nd Samuel 2:1, 4 “After this David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?” And the Lord said to him, “Go up.” David said, “To which shall I go up?” And He said, “To Hebron.”. . . . “And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.”
Prayer: Lord, thank You for revealing Your Son as the Light of the world! Direct me today as I seek to sincerely follow the path You have laid out for me. Amen.