Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Opening Scripture

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Corinthians 4:4-7

Opening Prayer

Gracious Father, you sent Jesus to be the Light of the world, pushing back the darkness and guiding us to you. May your light shine in our hearts and minds, exposing that which needs healing or confession, so we can offer it to you. May your warmth comfort us as we abide in you. May your light shine through us so that others may see and give you glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

John 8:12-47

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.

Once more Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come.” This made the Jews ask, “Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, ‘Where I go, you cannot come’?”

But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.”

“Who are you?” they asked. “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied. “I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is trustworthy, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.”

They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” Even as he spoke, many believed in him.

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.”

“Abraham is our father,” they answered. “If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do what Abraham did. As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the works of your own father.”

“We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say.”

“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

Reflection  

You may be wondering what happened to John 7:53-8:11. Those verses do not appear in the earliest manuscripts or other ancient witnesses. As such, the encounter between Jesus and the woman caught in adultery is considered by many scholars to be a later addition to the gospel. Nevertheless, it’s a powerful story that reflects Jesus’ character and teaching.

Today’s passage begins with John recording Jesus’ second “I AM” statement: “I am the light of the world.” This immediately results in the Jewish leaders once again discounting Jesus’ testimony about Himself. The familiar argument ensues whereby Jesus calls on the testimony of the Father on His behalf.

Another cherished ritual during the Feast of Tabernacles was the lighting of four giant lampstands each evening in the Court of Women (near the treasury). These lamps were about seventy-five feet tall, fueled with massive bowls of olive oil and wicks made from worn-out priestly garments. This brilliant light each night reminded the crowd of how God led the people through the wilderness with a pillar of fire (Exodus 13:21-22).

Amid the powerful imagery of those giant lampstands, Jesus declares that He is the “light of the world.” His divine light cuts through the darkness of sin, evil, and wickedness all around. The pillar of fire represented the Old Covenant between God and His people. Jesus is ushering in the New Covenant between God and all who come to Him in faith.

John notes that, even though Jesus was standing in the open in that very public place, no one tried to apprehend Him because it wasn’t time. That’s especially surprising since Jesus’ condemnation included calling them “sons of Satan.”

Flourishing Habit

Happiness and Life Satisfaction

Today’s passage reflects the opening lines of John’s gospel. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it and can never extinguish it.

Where do you sense Jesus shining through you during this season?

Are there areas in your life where you have been walking in darkness?

“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Remember: Nothing changes until something changes!