Daily Devotion, December 2, 2020

 

Devotion: Read John 8:12.

The darkest place I have ever been was during a walking tour in the Cumberland Caverns in McMinnville, TN.  We were perfectly still and silent during that moment to absorb this experience of complete darkness. It was just one minute but it seemed like an eternity. How relieved we were at the sight of the light from the small candle!

John's gospel, in John 1:4-5, begins with these words, “In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” Now here in John 8: 12a, Jesus is saying, “I am the light of the world.”

Jesus is in the temple courts as he is speaking these words. Light was an important part of the Feast of Tabernacles in the temple. The tabernacle’s light illuminated all of Jerusalem, but Jesus is the light of the world!

Then Jesus says, “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” We have a choice. We can follow Jesus and walk in the light, or we can walk in darkness. The word, “follow”, is the language of faithful discipleship. Jesus says that whoever follows him will have the light of life. When his light is shining in us, others will be drawn to him.

When we were in complete darkness for that brief moment in the Cumberland Caverns, it would have been impossible to walk anywhere. But as soon as there was the smallest glimmer of light, our eyes began to adjust and we could follow our tour guide who was holding the candle, to the banquet room for Christmas dinner and music! Jesus is the light of the world! God’s gift to us all! For whom might you be the one holding the candle guiding them to Jesus? Personal Worship Option:

“I Want To Walk As A Child of the Light” inspires us to follow! This hymn was written in 1966 by Kathleen Thomerson, a native of Tennessee and an accomplished musician. Each stanza invites us into a journey of following Jesus: “I want to follow Jesus, I want to look at Jesus, I want to be with Jesus.” Here is the first stanza and refrain:  

“I want to walk as a child of the light. I want to follow Jesus. God set the stars to give light to the world. The star of my life is Jesus. Refrain: In him there is no darkness at all. The night and the day are both alike. The Lamb is the light of the city of God. Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.”