following the light

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.” 13 So the Pharisees said to him, “You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true.” 14 Jesus answered, “Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for 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. 15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. 17 In your Law it is written that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” John 8:12-18

Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles, the 7-day celebration described as the most festive season of the ancient Hebrew year. One of the festival's daily rites was the lighting of the lamps. Each evening, as the sun dropped over the hills and the shadows crept across the Holy City, four temple lamps were lit.

The torches represented the pillar of fire that God inhabited as he led his beleaguered people across the barren desert. But on the final night of the festival, the central lamp was not lit. It stood silent and dark—a reminder to the worshipers that Israel's ultimate redemption and salvation was not yet experienced. Darkness still had to be endured. They still looked for the Messiah, the true Light.

It was into this setting that Jesus stood and spoke the astounding words, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Placing myself at the festival . . . standing amid the crowd . . . hearing Jesus' words, my heart is warmed. Such grace. These are some of the best kind of “Jesus-moments.”

Yet, I see another theme in Jesus' words, one I had not as quickly gravitated toward. It is Jesus' unequivocal call for obedience. The words that warmly promised me that I will “not walk in darkness” are connected to the ones that state, “Whoever follows me.” The obedience required is the humble receiving of Jesus as the Messiah, the One who came from God to redeem humanity. To follow is to be a disciple—to be on the path of yielding one's heart and passion to the Redeemer. This is a life of obedience to him and freedom from darkness' misery.

I don't naturally want to yield. Yet there is one who is rightly named God, and obedience to him is the only right response. C. S. Lewis' belief rings true: “There is in existence a Being so intrinsically authoritative that obedience is the essential business of a human being.”

Will you follow him in obedience? —Winn Collier, South Carolina

seeking: Father, how have I seen obedience to you in a fresh way? How will I change my ways this day?

responding: Where is God asking me to follow? • Do I hesitate? Why? • How might my obedience to God be my “essential business”?

Father, I will follow you in obedience. Your great love has been revealed in the life and death of your Son, Jesus. May his name be praised!

following: The Light will lead your way.

our journey