Today’s reading is John 8.
Victor Frankl described his role as a therapist in “Man’s Search for Meaning” as being an eye specialist, not a painter. He explained:
A painter tries to convey to us a picture of the world as he sees it, an ophthalmologist tries to enable us to see the world as it really is.
Granted, I imagine most artists would claim they are trying to help us see the world as it is. However, the very nature of their approach is by presenting their own filter over the world. An eye specialist or ophthalmologist doesn’t work on the picture, but on the eye that sees.
I couldn’t help but think of this when Jesus claimed to be the light of the world. As the light, Jesus isn’t painting a picture of what He thinks of the world or overlaying His view of things. He is merely turning the light on so we can see the world as it is. He gives us a clear view. His life exposes the world for what it is. His example demonstrates what is right in the world and also what is wrong. His steps show the path we can walk through this world successfully. We see the world for what it is and see how to traverse the path of this life by keeping our eyes on Jesus and walking in His footsteps.
The reality is we all follow someone. We all believe someone out there really knows how to live life. For some of us, that person is a parent, for others, a professor. For some, it is a professional athlete, for others, a singer or actor. For some, it is a group of people, for others a character on a TV show. We all have someone we think is getting it right. We have someone we wish we could be more like. We have someone we try to imitate and emulate. We all have someone we think sheds light on how to successfully live this life.
Understand this, only one person in all history has so successfully navigated His way through this world that when His life was over, the ground couldn’t hold Him. Only one has so victoriously lived this life, that when He was done, He broke out of the tomb and ascended to heaven. Only One. Frankly, it seems to me if we want to live life successfully, our best bet is to grab hold of His robe and hang on for dear life wherever He decided to go.
Only Jesus lights up the world, clearing our vision so we can see the world for what it is. Only Jesus lights up the path, showing us the way to walk. Will we come to Him? Will we let His light expose our darkness and drive it away? Or will we lurk in the shadows hoping we can forge our own path? I promise you, that won’t work.
Jesus is the light of the world and the only way we can be lights in the world is if we walk so close to Him, we reflect His brilliance.
Tomorrow’s reading is John 8.
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PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family
How does John 8 admonish you?
Read the Bible 