Christian Reflection and Prayer

"Die in Your Sins"

Lenten Devotion

"Again Jesus spoke to them saying, 'I am the Light of the world.'
 ..." (John 8:12a).

 Read John 8:12-30.

Jesus' enemies want Him dead. Has He pressed too hard? Is it
time to lighten up or compromise to find common ground? No!
Jesus knows there is only one way for them to be saved. So
He presses even harder. He declares, "I am the Light of the
world."

Instead of backing down Jesus draws a line in the sand and
says, "Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will
have the light of life." But to those who reject Him, He says,
"I am going away, and you will seek Me, and you will die in
your sin."

Their hearts should be stirred, but instead they stubbornly
refuse to listen. In idle curiosity they ask each other if Jesus'
talk of "going away" means He will kill Himself. Jesus answers,
"When you have lifted up the Son of Man, you will know that
I am He."

When they lift Him up and nail Him to the cross, they will
know who He is. The miraculous signs at His death: the
darkness, the earthquake, the torn curtain in the temple and
His glorious resurrection will make it clear to them that Jesus
is the mighty Son of God, the promised Messiah.

Which side of the line are you walking on? Are you truly
walking in the light of Christ or the darkness of this unbelieving
world? Jesus warns all of us that our time is short. Don't wait
for tomorrow. Today is the day to live in Christ through faith,
rather than die in your sins.

THE PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, bring me out of the darkness of my sin to
the light of Your Son Jesus Christ. I pray in His Name. Amen.

Written by Rev. Wayne Palmer