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Gospel: John 8: 12-20
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.” So the Pharisees said to him, “You testify
on your own behalf, so your testimony cannot be verified.”
Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I do testify
on my own behalf, my testimony can be verified,
because I know where I came from and where I am going.
But you do not know where I come from or where I am going.
You judge by appearances, but I do not judge anyone.
And even if I should judge, my judgement is valid,
because I am not alone, but it is I and the Father
who sent me. Even in your law it is written
that the testimony of two men can be verified.
I testify on my behalf and so does the Father who sent me.”
So they said to him, “Where is your father?” Jesus answered,
“You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me,
you would know my Father also.” He spoke these words
while teaching in the treasury in the temple area.
But no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.
The Gospel of the Lord.
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Jews often referred to God as their light. As the Psalmist proclaims, “the Lord is my light and my salvation.”
Thus, when Jesus claims in today’s Gospel, “I am the light of the world,” he is claiming to be the God of Israel.”Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life,” he says.
This verb Jesus uses, “follow,” was understood in four general ways.
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It was often used in the context of a soldier following his captain on long routes through cold winter nights, into the throes of battle, or into strange foreign lands. If they ever got separated, then the soldier would likely die.
Similarly, Christians must stay close to Christ throughout their lives so as to follow him safely into heaven.
To “follow” was also used in the context of a servant accompanying his master. Whenever the master made a request, the servant was to respond joyfully, doing whatever was asked.
Christians are those servants who do what God asks of us without complaint.
The same verb was used in the context of accepting a wise person’s opinion, or in the issuing of civil laws. Much like taking the advice of a doctor, or living as law-abiding citizens, Christians guide their lives by the teachings of Christ.
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“I am the light of the world,” the Lord says. “Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
What might it look like for me to follow the Lord as a soldier, servant, student, or friend today?
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Image credits: (1) Common Grace (2) Steam (3) Cornerstone in Somerset, NJ, Christian Church