February 24, 2026 | Be Connected
Jesus is the Light of the World
Scripture: John 8:12-20(NIV)
12 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.”
13 The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.”
14 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. 15 You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. 16 But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. 17 In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. 18 I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”
19 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.” 20 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.
Devotional
In the midst of many huge life-altering changes right now, I sometimes find myself standing in the middle of my living room trying to remember which small daily task I was working on. Was I writing the grocery list? Did I have laundry to move to the dryer? I have started using breath prayers to help me focus. I close my eyes in confusion. Inhale: Lord, be near me. Exhale: Help me find clarity. And like a lightbulb, God answers, re-centers me, and I move forward.
What is the first thing you do when you get lost? Or when the power goes out? Do you reach for your phone? Do you light up a flashlight? Do you ever reach for a candle and a match to light it? Maybe that is too old-fashioned, but finding a way to light your path, yes? You need a guide to direct you to where you need to go. Jesus is the light. He will never misdirect you. His love for you means that no matter the hurt or alone-ness or loss you are feeling right now, He will light you and direct you and keep you in His love. When the road seems dark you are called to walk, call out for God, He is your light.
We have already read how John has beautifully painted a picture of Jesus as our light in John 1:5, “The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” Now pay attention to what is coming, as Jesus brings light into the darkness both in physical and spiritual ways in upcoming readings.
