Tag: light of the world
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.
Beware of fearing men!
Scripture reading for April 21st: John 12
Key scriptures for over-comers: John 12: 42-46 “Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in Him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God. Then Jesus cried out, “When a man believes in Me, he does not believe in Me only, but in the One who sent Me. When he looks at Me, he sees the One who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should stay in darkness.”
Jesus came into the world to bring the light of revelation of the Father to all who would receive Him. There were some who believed in Him among the leaders of Israel, but for fear of man, they would not confess their faith. They wanted approval from the leaders more than the approval that came from pleasing God. Today, this same fear causes many to shrink back from a public commitment to follow Jesus. They believe in Him, but fear men and desire acceptance more than God’s approval. Because of this, they stay in darkness and miss the full revelation of light!
Observations for over-comers: Over-comers boldly confess their faith in Jesus Christ, loving the approval of God over that of men. “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” (Proverbs 29:25)
Who sinned?
Scripture reading for May 17th: John 9:1-41
The entire ninth chapter of John’s Gospel is dedicated to the story of a man blind from birth who was healed by Jesus. This man’s condition initially brought a question from the disciples, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent me. Night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:2-5)
Jesus said that in this instance, that the sins of this man and the parents did not enter into the cause of his condition. The common thinking of that day was that deformity or disability was caused by sin somehow and that God was punishing that person through that infirmity. Jesus simply stated that this condition was not to be judged, but that it was an opportunity to display God’s work of healing and restoration in his life. Every day we have here on earth should be an opportunity to glorify Jesus and do the work of reaching hurting people before darkness stops the work!
Jesus proceeded to spit on the ground and made some mud and put it on the man’s eyes. Some feel that this was a creative miracle in that Jesus here modeled the creation account. (Genesis 2:7) The man was told to go and wash in the pool of Siloam and he came back seeing!
This miracle caused much discussion in the community and the Temple with the religious leaders. They couldn’t believe that this was the man who sat and begged for years. The man recounted how Jesus did the miracle but the religious leaders were upset because it was a Sabbath when the healing took place. They insisted that Jesus could not be from God because of this! (John 9:16) Still others insisted that this Jesus must be a prophet, because no sinner could do these miracles.
Reasoning and argument will not solve the dilemma! “One thing I do know, I was blind but now I see.” (John 9:25) This man quit arguing and placed his trust in Jesus! (John 9:38) Isn’t it time for you to do the same?
Believe–or die in your sins!
Scripture reading for May 15th: John 8:21-31
Jesus had plainly told the crowd at the temple that He was the light of the world and that anyone who would follow Him would never walk in darkness but would have the light of life. (John 8:12) He also told them that He was going away and that where He was going, they could not follow. He was speaking of returning to His Father and the glory of heaven and they were unable to understand. Some Jews in the crowd even speculated that Jesus was going to kill himself. (John 8:22)
Jesus is the Light of this dark world and faith in Him comes from hearing and believing His word. (Romans 10:17) The greatest darkness does not come from a lack of natural light, but from sin’s darkness in our soul. The light of life shines in this darkness in the person of Jesus Christ and we must settle the question of who this Man is!
“But He (Jesus) continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am [the one I claim to be], you will indeed die in your sins.” (John 8:23-24) Jesus plainly stated that He was from above and all other men were from below. He told them that sin would bring death unless they believed that He was who He claimed to be. In the Greek, Jesus had told them He was “I AM”, claiming to be God!
This brought another questioning of Jesus. Who was He? Jesus told them that He was just what He had claimed to be all along. He was the Son of the Father who had sent Him. He was their true judge, who was trustworthy and reliable because He was the Son of God. He was the Light of the world that was available for men in the darkness of sin to follow.
They did not understand or would not understand. “So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am [the one I claim to be], and that I do nothing on My own but speak just what the Father has taught me.” (John 8:28-30) The crucifixion and resurrection would bring revelation! Have you received the Light?
Blessed Kingdom Kids!
Scripture reading for October 5th: Matthew 5-7
Matthew records one of the longest discourses of Jesus in the Bible. It contains a rich wealth of teaching for those who are followers of the great Rabbi and teacher who is the Son of God. Today we will focus on the blessedness of those who embrace the King and His kingdom!
The kingdom of heaven was the subject of this great teaching. God, the Father, was to be King over the nation of Israel and they were to be His loyal children. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) Kingdom kids were not to be proud, boastful or self-sufficient. Their sufficiency came from their Father who gave them a rich inheritance.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6) They would be satisfied by their King with a banquet of bread and wine He supplied. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8) They would have a new heart given as a gift! “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9) Father gives peace that the world can’t understand! Even when persecuted for their righteousness, they have the Father’s wisdom and know that the best is yet to come! They have a reward in heaven that no one can steal or destroy. (Matthew 5:7-12) They will see their King’s face one day and bask in His glory!
Kingdom kids are blessed to be the light of the world. They reflect the glory of their King everywhere they go. They are the salt of the earth! They bring out the “God-flavors” of this world according to the Message Bible! (Matthew 5:13-16) They help stop the corruption of sin and bring out God’s saving message of Gospel hope. They are a people who love God and love their neighbors from their hearts, fulfilling God’s law.
God’s kingdom kids do not worry about tomorrow or fret over provisions. They know how to talk to God in prayer and trust Him for everything. He is their provider and protector! They are blessed with all they need. (Matthew 6:33) They have built their houses on a Rock! Storms may come but they are secure and safe in Him! We are so blessed to be “Kingdom Kids” of our amazing Father in Heaven!
Just judgments: Jesus and the Father!
Scripture reading for May 14th: John 8:1-20
When we think of going before a judge to face charges, our hearts race knowing that our future and fate is bound up in the decision of one in authority. We have no control over how they will rule and often we doubt that they will be fair. We all will have to face judgment as believers and a different judgment if we are not a believer. Jesus Christ will be the judge, but we do not have to fear any injustice!
As Jesus was again teaching in the Temple, the Pharisees brought a woman to Him who had been caught in the very act of adultery. “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do You say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing Him.” (John 8:4-5) These men were intent on tripping up Jesus, but Jesus took his finger and began to write in the dust of the ground. After being pressed for an answer, Jesus replied, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:7)
As Jesus continued to write in the dust, all the accusers left and the woman was there with Jesus. Finally, Jesus stood up and addressed the woman. “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, Sir,” she replied. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:10-11)
Jesus skillfully turned the tables on these religious Jews who were trying to trap Him. Jesus is a capable judge and knows everything about each person. His judgments are just and true because they come from the Father who also knows everything. These two witnesses, Jesus and the Father, are always trustworthy and perfect. (John 8:14-18) Jesus would rather show mercy on one who was humble and repentant than to judge. He came to pay the penalty for sin and open the door to mercy for everyone who believes.
As believers, we will stand before the judgment seat of Christ to receive reward for the deeds done in our body. (2nd Corinthians 5:10) Unbelievers will stand before the Great White Throne and be justly judged. (Revelation 20:11-14) Each judgment will be just and true!