TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
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.” John 8:12
Read: John 8:12
Listen: John 8
TODAY’S MESSAGE
The people lived in a difficult, hostile environment when Jesus promised that those who followed him would never walk in darkness. The Romans occupied their land with military presence. They shouldered heavy tax burdens and suffered deep, cultural divisions. Jesus’ promise to follow him for light and life offered much-needed hope amid a dark culture.
As we face challenging, dark days, Jesus’ words still bring life and light to us today. Jesus is wisdom personified. As we follow him, we learn the wise way to live in a hostile culture. As we make reading Scripture a priority, God’s wisdom fills our hearts and spills over into our actions. As we study Jesus’ ways through his words and prayer, the Spirit fills us with God’s character.
We can’t will or work our way into godly behavior. But as we follow Jesus and cooperate with the Spirit in obedience to his words, we become more and more like Jesus. His way offers freedom to live to the full (John 10:10) free from bondage to the destructive sin-patterns in our lives.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
One of Jesus’ most prominent teachings is the second greatest command—love others. He tells us we show love by doing to others as you would have them do to you (Luke 6:31). Ask God to help you live this out with love, respect and empathy. Ask him to help you treat others the way you want to be treated, even when you disagree with someone or experience their hostility.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
