Coffee With God

Reflection: John 8: 12-20

The Pharisees are, as always, trying to place Jesus on the dock “on trial.” More arrogant religious leaders come in to probe Jesus and his teachings that challenge their traditions and religious practices. The first reading from the book of Daniel also spoke about an unjust trial in the story of Susanna. Both Jesus and Susanna would have known well Psalm 23, which proclaims one’s total dependence on God’s providence. “Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side…,” sings the Psalmist. Jesus moved a step further from the Psalmist to proclaim that he is the light of the world – the one who illumines the darkened valleys. “Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” On the first day of creation, God’s divine radiance flooded the universe when he uttered his mighty words: “Let there be light”. No matter how dark our lives may turn out to be, Jesus reminds us that darkness can never overpower the light of Christ. Jesus makes this proclamation of the light of the world, from the temple area, when he came to Jerusalem for the feast of the tabernacles. From the evening of the first day of the festival until the day before the closing of the feast, four large lamp stands were lit in the temple’s Court of Women, and they stayed lit most of the night. Their combined light was strong enough to illuminate most of Jerusalem. Against this nostalgic background, John portrayed Jesus, identifying himself as the light, not only of Jerusalem, but of the world. The Hebrew Scriptures often spoke of God’s Word as light. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path,” says Psalm 119 verse 105. John now reminds his readers that Jesus is the Word of God and he is therefore, the light of the World. In fact, this was how John began his Gospel. In chapter 1, verses 3-5 we read: “this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” The Evangelist is repeating what he said in the first chapter. The Gospel is once more an invitation to go deeper to know God – to know God the Father and God the Son. Jesus’ accusation against the religious leaders of his time was that “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, then you would know my Father.” This could be our challenge today. To know Jesus calls for a readiness to go deeper, to abandon the familiar, to break free from the powerful influences of the values of the world that blind us and hold us captives.