The Light

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”                     John 8.12

John begins his gospel with a declaration that Jesus had come into the world as the light of life for all people (John 1.4). Here Jesus is restating this truth, and what a reality it is for those who believe and who will take hold of it.

As I read the Scriptures, the life of Jesus, His teachings and His revelations, I see the light. There are times when I focus on a passage and, suddenly, the light goes on. The light of Jesus shines through the darkness of worldly life and I see more clearly. I am encouraged to go forward in a new way, to keep pursuing that life that can only come from Him.

And today, the truth takes me to a further depth in Him. He says that, as I follow Him, I will never walk in darkness. I see this in my life. There are times when I am aware of the darkness of the world. It beckons and sometimes I am drawn in. But I recognise the darkness, and I know that His desire is that I do not walk there. Instead He calls me out into His light of life. I am grateful.

John tells me that Jesus spoke “again” to the Pharisees. Had He previously spoken to them about walking in the light? Whether He had or not, they take little notice. The account records them ignoring His offer and, in its place, accusing Him of testifying in His own behalf. They have completely missed His revelation because of the pressure of their own agenda. May this not happen to me.

Holy God,

I read again of Jesus’ offer to follow Him and walk in the light. I accept. I pray that I may never walk in darkness. I may wander, but I ask Your Holy Spirit to alert me, and draw me back into the light. I pray also that I will not, at any time, allow my own agenda to conflict with Your way for me. I ask these things in the glorious name of Jesus.                  Amen.

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Anyone without sin...

When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”           

                                                                                                                       John 8.7

Jesus answered the persistence of the accusers with a declaration that silenced them all. He brings out the truth that Paul repeats in his letter to the Roman church: …for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Rom. 3.23)

As much as I’d like to think otherwise, the truth is that I am a sinner. In fact, everyone is, and there is no one who can legitimately accuse another from a position of his own sinlessness. No one, that is, except Jesus. And He says to me, to us, what He said to the woman that day, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.” (v11)

We hear nothing further of her so we do not know if she remained without sin. My human frailty tells me she likely continued to sin. And Jesus just as likely continued to forgive her as she offered herself to Him in repentance.

I receive two clear messages from this reading today. The first is that I am a sinner, but so is everyone else. I should, therefore, be understanding of this and be ready, always, to forgive. The second is that Jesus is always there to forgive me. I need not be afraid to come to Him, regardless of what I have done. In humility and penitence I can seek His forgiveness, receive His release and continue on my way, free of any condemnation. Hallelujah!

Loving Lord Jesus,

I hear You remind me that I am forgiven by You. I thank You. But You are also entreating me to adopt an attitude of forgiveness towards others. This is not always easy, Lord. I ask Your help. I realise more and more that I cannot live without You. Draw me to You. Strengthen me in You, and let me show Your qualities of love and mercy in my life, in You precious name I ask.                Amen.

Rebirth

Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before, and who was one of them, asked, “Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?”                                                                                  John 7.50,51

Nicodemus is an interesting person. He had previously gone to Jesus, under cover of night, to ask about this “new way” that Jesus preached. Here he is sort of standing up for Jesus. At least, he’s making noises about Him getting some sort of hearing. At the end of his gospel, John relates how Nicodemus accompanied Joseph of Arimathea in removing Christ’s body from the cross and anointing it in burial. Something has been happening for Nicodemus. We hear nothing further about him, so we don’t know if he became a true and dedicated believer, nor if he made any more open declaration of faith.

Nicodemus is not alone in his experience. I sense that some people attend church without any real commitment to living in obedience to God as a true follower of Jesus. Indeed, many may not have experienced the birth from above, the spiritual birth of which Jesus spoke to Nicodemus. I pray for such people, that they will experience God’s sovereign move of rebirth, that they will cast off lukewarm-ness, and embrace the fullness of Christ and live in His Spirit.

I pray also for myself, that I may never be ashamed of my faith, that I may live it, to God’s glory.

Holy Father,

The story of Nicodemus intrigues me and causes me to think of those who seem to be nominal in their commitment to You. I pray for these souls, and I ask You to touch them in power. May they know the rebirth that comes from above. May they find themselves on fire for Jesus.

Lord, I pray for the sleeping church. I ask You to wake it up into the fullness of spiritual life.

I ask also for myself, that I may ever live out Your wonderful love and faithfulness in my life.

I ask these things in Jesus’ name.                               Amen.

Thirsty

“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’”                                                                                                            John 7.37b,38

John continues the narrative by telling us that Jesus is talking about the Spirit. Because Jesus had not yet been glorified, believers had not received the Spirit. But, after Jesus’ ascension, and the glorious events of Pentecost, the Spirit came in power.

And so it is today, though many are reluctant to enter into the spiritual, supernatural ways of God. Not so me! I am thirsty for Jesus and for all He has for me, not only in the glorious life to come, but in the here and now in my present living and being.

I an ever ready to drink what my Lord would have me partake of. I see myself, seated with Him in relaxed but expectant mode. We are obeying and partaking together. The Holy Spirit that powered Him through His time here on earth is available to me. The supernatural enabling of the Spirit is there for me to drink in, in copious quantities.

Now I feel greedy. I want to gorge myself on the Spirit. And all the while, I sense Jesus encouraging me. It’s as if He’s saying, “It’s not greed that motivates you to receive the fullness of the Spirit. This is the will of God at work in you. You cannot fulfil God’s purposes for you in this life without the empowering Spirit. So come, relax, and drink your fill, even to overflowing.”

Lord Jesus,

I come. I sit with You in peace and I rest fully in You. I give myself over to be filled with the Holy Spirit of God. I release myself. Let nothing obstruct or bar me from the fullness of You. Fill me, and let that living water flow out of my heart and my whole being. May it touch others and wash them with Your grace and mercy, Your love, healing and blessing. I come to receive, in order to give away. Fill me, Lord, in Your holy name I ask. Amen.

My book “God Talk” is available through major Internet booksellers.

A taste of the book's content can be seen in the You Tube clip

(Search: Peter Francis - "God Talk").