1) Silence, Stillness and Centering before God (2 minutes)
2) Scripture Reading
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.”
Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”
Then they asked him, “Where is your father?”
“You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come.
3) Devotional: Have you ever met someone who said something that was true, but you did not believe them? I am sure that you have. And when the truth was discovered, you were embarrassed or ashamed for insisting that the person was wrong. Sometimes there is even a tangible consequence for being wrong.
Jesus, by claiming to be the light of the world and claiming that God the Father is his actual father, is claiming to be God. The Pharisees did not believe Jesus, but it did not make them right. In fact they were dead wrong. But they had their minds made up that Jesus was a blasphemer and not God. No matter what Jesus said or how many people believed Him or how many miracles He did, the Pharisees were not going to believe in Him. They may have never experienced the earthly shame or embarrassment of being wrong but they would experience the ultimate eternal consequence as they stood before God on the judgment day.
Believe in Jesus and you will know peace. Believe in Jesus and you will know truth. Believe Jesus and you will know your eternal future is secure.
4) Questions to Consider: Do you know Jesus? Have you trusted Him for eternity? These are the most important questions you will ever be asked. I hope you can say YES!
5) Prayer: Jesus, I believe that You are God and the One who has saved me from my sins by Your sacrifice on the cross. Help me to know You better and strengthen my faith so that my can fully trust in what You have promised, eternal life in heaven, In your name I pray. Amen.
Conclude with Silence (2 minutes)
