FRIDAY, December 31, 2004
John 8:12-19
When Jesus spoke to the people again, he said: I am the light of the world; anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the light of life. At this the Pharisees said to him, ‘You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not true.’ Jesus replied: Even though I am testifying on my own behalf, my testimony is still true, because I know where I have come from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards; I judge no one, but if I judge, my judgement will be true, because I am not alone: the one who sent me is with me; and in your Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. I testify on my own behalf, but the Father who sent me testifies on my behalf, too. They asked him, ‘Where is your Father then?’ Jesus answered: You do not know me, nor do you know my Father; if you did know me, you would know my Father as well. -- The New Jerusalem Bible. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1995, c1985
A Study
With the feast of Tabernacles, the lighting of the great candelabra at the Temple was said to light all of Jerusalem. Jesus, speaking directly before or after that event, used that image. Moreover, the word "light" was often a synonym for YHWH or YHWH's grace in the Hebrew Bible. Jesus, by the right of his Son-ship as well as the clear wisdom He displayed constantly, needed no witness other than God to make the proclamation He did.
A Reflection
The tragedy is that Israel was formed to be the people of YHWH, to recognize the Messiah when He came.
But the religious leaders were so caught up in their own ceremonies and traditions and self-importance that they were blinded to the light sent from YHWH. Jesus, telling those assembled that he was not there to judge, but to love. Unfortunately, the religious authorities levied on themselves the judgment of their own blindness.
Jesus makes the point that we must follow Him. And to follow, we must identify with His purpose, His thoughts, His path, His intentions, and His actions. Jesus never excluded, but always included. He had his arms open in a loving embrace right to His last breath.
How do we follow?
A Collect
Father, through your Holy Spirit you enlighten us with knowledge of your Son and through Him, your will for us. Open our minds to your leading and our hearts to your love, that through your Son, we may be made one with you. Amen
7:21:24 PM 
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