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I am using readings from the 49 Week Bible Challenge as the basis for these devotions. I encourage you to join me in this discipline. Today’s readings are John 8; Exodus 5; 6; Deuteronomy 17; 2 Chronicles 18.
John 8:12-20
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 people is true. 18 I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” 19 They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” 20 These words he spoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple; but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.
“Well, how well did that work?” Have you ever asked yourself that question? You might have lined up all your reasons for the plan you offered at work only to be shot down by one small-thinking fear-monger. You might have muscled all the authority you can through references, resources, lines of accountability, and authority only to be ignored. You can say what you want, but I’m not going to do what you say. Have you ever heard that? Have you told a worker, “This comes straight from the top,” only to be put off in a flurry of passive-aggressive inaction?
That is what happens when Jesus makes it clear that he is speaking on the authority of his Father in heaven as God in the flesh. He is the great I AM. He makes that claim here in John 8, “I AM the light of the world,” he says [emphasis added]. But the Jewish leaders feel no need to listen to him or live in light of the truth he embodies.
The same happened centuries before Jesus makes this claim. When Moses goes to Egypt to tell, “The LORD says, ‘Let my people go,’” neither Pharoah nor his leaders will listen. In fact the Egyptians make the Jews’ labor even more difficult. They must find their own straw for brick-making, and still produce at the same level.
I know a little bit about making bricks. It is hot, hard, back-breaking, and hand-aching work. For seven months I worked in a brick factory. I remember how a 1500 degree kiln makes the coldest winter day warm inside the factory. But come summer, and that kiln adds insult to injury.
I know, also, about the light of Jesus. It is true, good, and freeing. Jesus’ claim of being the Light of the World is found immediately following the much-loved account of the woman caught in the act of adultery. Everyone wants to condemn her, and stone her to death. Jesus confronts her accusers, saying, “Let the one without sin cast the first stone.” Thud. Thud. Thud. The sounds of stones falling to the ground. Then there is only Jesus and the woman. I do not condemn you, he tells her.
Jesus, the Great I AM, came to seek and save the lost. He was not sent to condemn, but to save. I’ll rejoice in the light of his grace and give glory to him forever.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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