It’s easy for Christians to fall into a rut: Church is a thing you do, prayer is a box to check, and faith seems far from “the real world.” This fall we let Jesus himself confront our ruts. “Do you believe this?” he asks (Jn. 11:26).
To believe in Jesus is to experience him. It’s more than logic, argument, and doctrine. It is intimate knowledge of God himself. This fall, let Jesus himself speak to you in his seven “I AM” statements in the gospel of John. How is he changing you? What response is he inspiring in you? To believe in him changes everything.
Invocation
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Ponder
Today we ponder the I AM statement: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Why are darkness and night associated with sin and evil? What darkness are you experiencing in your life today?
Word
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.’”
Meditation: Where is the Light by Julianna Shults
I travel a lot for work which means I often find myself exhausted, dragging bags into an unfamiliar hotel room. I grab the closest thing to pajamas, toothbrush and charging cables. As fast as I can, I am crawling into bed, hoping to get some rest.
And that is when the game “Where Is That Light Coming From?” begins.
Every time, despite trying to flip every switch and pull the curtains tight, I’ll notice light is coming from somewhere. I never want to get back up, but extra light can make it hard to sleep. Having no idea where the light is emanating from, I will drag myself back up to hunt until it is found.
Jesus says he is the light of the world, the light of life. There are times where we bask in the light of Christ. We spend time in worship, in Scripture, in prayer. We have opportunities to reflect God’s light in our vocations at home, at work, or with our friends. Jesus, the light, seems particularly bright and close to us.
There are other times when darkness appears all around us. We are tempted by sin. Our relationships are broken. Evil seems to pervade our culture, our social media feeds, even our churches. Sometimes we even welcome the dark, hidden in guilt and shame.
Sin, death, and the devil bring darkness trying to outstretch and overwhelm the light. Yet, the light of Jesus remains. Jesus offers forgiveness, life, and salvation through his death on the cross. John opens his Gospel by reminding us that “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
As people who believe in Jesus as the light, we reflect that light to others. Never perfectly, for sure. But through the Holy Spirit we bring light into places and situations that make others ask, “Where does that light come from?”
It might take some searching, but I can usually find the hotel light culprit: a too short door to the brightly lit hallway or the secret switch for the extra bathroom light. I don’t ever have to search for the light of life we have in Jesus. He is always exactly where he promises to be, with us in his Word and Sacrament. Jesus can be found shining through his baptized children. We know and trust the light of Jesus, the light of life and we can trust the darkness will never overcome it.
Jesus, thank you for being our light, for always being where you promise to be. Guide us, and when we encounter darkness, help us always to remember that it can never overcome you. Amen.
Prayer
Jesus, you said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Chase away the sins in my life that like to hide in the shadows. Dispel confusion and ignorance. Shine into the dark corners of my world today. Amen.
Benediction
May the blessing of the eternal God be upon us and upon our work;
His light to guide us,
His presence to strengthen us,
His love to unite us;
Now and always. Amen.