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Have The Light Of Life 

The parameters for today’s reading are unusual because the main story in John 8, v1-11, is widely believed to be inserted into the text after the original version was created. And so, typically, it is considered as a stand-alone episode in the life of Jesus. However, we’re looking at it in this devotional as connected with the following verse, which, in some ways, makes an application from the story. The reasoning behind this choice is that whatever the provenance of the story in relation with the rest of the Gospel, its placement remains strategic and purposeful. So, we’re considering verse 12 in light of the story that precedes it.



And here is verse 12: “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.’” 


Now, the preceding episode epitomizes darkness, featuring as it does legalism, religion, manipulation, prejudice, harassment, shaming, adultery, and more.



No one seemed to notice the darkness until the purported sin was presented to Jesus. And Jesus is the light of the world. So, He, ‘Illumination’ incarnate, exposes all that hides in the shadows. His presence chases darkness away. And so this act of the Pharisees and of the ‘caught’ woman are exposed for what they are. 


And without Jesus, we’re left stumbling around in the darkness, tripped up regularly by sins we’ve listed along with a bunch more. Our intentions may be innocuous, but we’re saturated by the iniquitous. 



Among many other negative consequences, in the dark, we can neither see, nor be seen. We cannot see others. We can’t see the truth. We can’t see love and grace. 



And we can’t be seen. People won’t see us for who we truly are. Our hurts and brokenness? Overlooked. Our hopes and ideas? Ignored. Darkness is effectually two-way blindness. 


But Jesus is the light of the world. 



And we can leave forever the darkness. We can have the light of life. 



How?



Follow Jesus.