Made in His Image

John 8:12

Again Jesus spoke to them saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but have the light of life”.

It is summertime and there is plenty of light!  I enjoy my wildflower gardens that thrive in that light.  I find they are a place where I can pause, reflect and enjoy God’s creation right in front of me.  It has been cited that a walk in the garden can bring down your blood pressure.  I know that I certainly feel better after a few moments there!

The Pharisees were in the crowd as Jesus taught and it is very likely that they were having a spike in their blood pressure!  It was their business to know the Scriptures and it is very likely that Psalms 27:1  may have flashed through their minds:  “The LORD is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?  The LORD is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?”

Or maybe the Pharisees were thinking “The unfolding of your words gives light” Psalm 119:130.  Either way they surely looked around them and saw the definite influence that Jesus was having on the crowd and certainly felt the threat to their vaunted standing in society.

Our challenge comes in Matthew 5:16.

“ln the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” 

Are you teaching Sunday School? Excellent!  Are you helping to feed the hungry or shelter the homeless? Terrific!  Looking out for your fellow brother, sister, stranger to lend a helping hand or share a gesture of kindness?  Well done!  As in “Well done good and faithful servant!  Welcome!”  Yes! To hear those words in the Kingdom of Heaven!

LIght references truth and eternal life.  

In John 12: 45 Jesus cried out,

“And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.  I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness.  I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them, for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.”

The chapter ends with verse fifty:

“And I know that his commandment is eternal life.  What I speak, therefore, I speak just as the Father has told me.”

How much clearer can the message be?  Jesus’ light is radiating before us!  

Let us pray. 

Send us Jesus out into the crowd of daily life that our actions, our words, and our behaviors would glorify your name and spread your light in this contentious world. Amen

This devotion was written and recorded by Sam Barto.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.