John 8:12-20

Jesus begins speaking to the people saying “I am the light of the world.  If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”  The Pharisees knew that according to Isaiah 42:6 & 49:6 Jesus was saying he was the Messiah.  And they were outraged that Jesus would make such a claim.  Why do you think they were so shocked that Jesus said he was the Messiah? 

Jesus reveals the answer to that question in verses 14-15.  “These claims are valid even though I make them about myself.  For I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don’t know this about me.  You judge me by human standards, but I do not judge anyone.”

In the physical sense, the Pharisees expected the Messiah to overthrow the Gentile government and restore Israel’s political strength.  Their prospective was purely physical.  The Pharisees didn’t know who Jesus was and they also didn’t  know who they were.  I think they believed what most humans believe.  That as a human we are a body that houses a spirit.  But it’s the reverse.  As humans, we are a spirit that is housed in a body.  Our actions will reveal which we individually believe.

Our actions will gravitate to one of these two paths.  We will seek the creation, or we will seek the Creator.  As humans we will naturally gravitate towards seeking creation.  Ironically, the sun is probably the most sought after part of creation that humans seek.  Looking to fill the inborn desire for Jesus the Son of God and the Light of the world in a purely physical way.  Interesting isn’t it?  When we seek the Creation we seek things like food, approval of people, nature, power, personal glory for our accomplishments, physical pleasure, entertainment etc. We’re living with the belief that we are a body that houses a spirit.  We seek what pleases our body. 

When we know we are a spirit that is housed in a body, we seek the Creator.  We know and remember that through the Holy Spirit, we have complete access to the Father just as Jesus did. (Ephesians 2:18).  We also know and remember that we have access to EVERY spiritual gift just as Jesus did.  (Ephesians 1:3)  We know that we were placed here because God desires and enjoys a relationship with us (Rev. 4:11).   And we know we are here to do what the Father tells us to do and to live out his mission for our lives, including sharing his good news with others.  When we seek the Creator we seek our comfort, wisdom, strength, sustenance, guidance, life mission, peace, joy and need for love from Christ alone. We are excited to help other’s come to know Christ.  And we seek for God to do miracles in and through us.  We’re living with the belief that we are a spirit that is housed by our body.  We seek things that build our spirit.  A good prayer to start each day with is “God, please help me to remember who I am and to live out your mission for my life today.”