Reflection: I AM the Light

By Betty Hertz, St. John Lay Leader

John 1:6-9

6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John.7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.[b]

John 8:12

12 Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." 

In the Gospel of John, the word light appears 25 times. Light is a symbol of coming to believe. I remember the connection between the New and Old Testaments whenever I reflect on an I AM statement. In John 1, the author tells his listeners that John the Baptist was a witness to the light but not the true light. The reference to the true light comes from Isaiah 9:2 and other OT prophets who said those walking in the darkness would see a great light (the true light) … the Messiah. The listeners would also know that right after God created the heavens and earth, He created light, and the light was good (Genesis 1:1-4). Light is essential for life. Spiritual light is essential for spiritual life.

Jesus said, "I AM the light of the world" at the Feast of the Tabernacles, one of three annual pilgrimages to Jerusalem the Torah required Jewish men to make. This fall feast celebrated the harvest. It also served as a reminder that when the Israelites wandered in the desert, they built temporary huts (sukkah), and God provided a Pillar of light by night for warmth and light in the darkness. One part of the festival is a ritual of illumination.

By Jesus saying, "I AM the light," he is saying he is divinity, the son of God made flesh. The tension builds as the Pharisees question Jesus because he is disrupting their world and preaching blasphemy.

As I reflected more on the meaning of this statement, the phrase "light of life" caught my attention. Sometimes that light is bright, as in "This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine," and sometimes that light shines in dark places. When the light has shown in my dark, uncomfortable places, those of guilt or pain, Jesus, the Light of life, opens me up to healing and hope.

Putting the light of Jesus in my life illumines me. The refrain from Hymn 454 Open My Eyes, That I May See speaks to me:

            Silently now I wait for thee,

            Ready my God thy will to see

            Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine.

Closing thoughts from The God We Can Know Study Guide,( p 20-21)

            When we look around us and feel that only darkness and emptiness surround us, illuminate our hearts with Jesus' words,

             "I am the Light of the World."

            When we can't figure out where to go next, what to do, or who to be, help us to hear God's call and see the path illuminated for us by the one who says,

             "I am the Light of the World."

            When we wonder how we will go out into the world and shine God's light, sharing God's love with all the earth, let us follow Jesus' lead as he reveals himself to us, saying,

             "I am the Light of the World." AMEN.

Reflection questions:

How has God's presence brought light to you in a way that helped you see a situation or problem differently?

What does it mean for us to be a light for the world?

(From The God We Can Know, p.52)

Reflection: What's in a Name?

By Betty Hertz, St. John Lay Leader

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35

As I read this I AM statement, I thought about how many times I have heard it and just glazed over. So, I paused to ponder what does Jesus mean by saying he is the bread of life?

Jesus made this statement the day after he performed the miracle of taking five loaves of bread and two fish and feeding more than 5,000 people. His followers showed up wanting more bread and another miracle. They reminded him that Moses provided daily manna as the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years. But Jesus corrected them by saying, “… it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.” (John 6:32). He uses my Father to make the connection that Jesus is fully God and fully human. Further, he says true nourishment comes from consuming his words and teachings.

As I re-read the I AM statement, the word “never” caught my heart. I will never be hungry or thirsty if I partake of Jesus’ daily bread. Never? Wow!

In his book, The God We Can Know, author Rob Fuquay suggests some practices that can help feel the fullness of Jesus. One suggestion he makes is to focus on feeding rather than being fed. “… it is not just about what we do for others. It is about what doing for others can do for us.” (p.35). I am humbled when I hear God’s word from those whose struggles are many. A recent conversation with a guest at a shelter where I volunteer warmed my heart. I thought I was there to lift him and others up. Ha! He used a wheelchair since his foot had been amputated. But to hear him talk, life was good. He had a voucher to cover the first month’s rent and security deposit for an apartment for himself, his daughter, and her two sons. Between his disability income and his daughter’s job, they could afford to pay the monthly rent. What an example for me. I experienced being fed.

Closing thoughts from The God We Can Know Study Guide (p.15):

When we feel hungry for more of something—even when we’re not sure what that something is, we can remember that Jesus said:

“I am the Bread of Life. Come to me and never be hungry.”

When we feel distracted by other means of fulfillment in the world, help us to remember that Jesus said:

“I am the Bread of Life. Come to me and never be hungry.”

When we find ourselves feeling inadequate or incomplete in our daily lives, remind us     that we fill ourselves up on Jesus’ sustaining words.

“I am the Bread of Life. Come to me and never be hungry.”  AMEN.

Reflection questions: 

What is your hunger? In what ways are you letting God feed you?

Reflection: Exodus 3:1-14

By Betty Hertz, St. John Lay Leader

What’s in a name?

Exodus 3: 14 “Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh” (The Five Books of Moses):

I-Will-BE-THERE HOWSOEVER I WILL BE-THERE.

Does that sound familiar? No? How about this translation?

Exodus 3:14 “ I AM WHO I AM” (NSRV)

Why would one look at Exodus when studying the Jesus I AM statements in the Gospel of John? In the book “The God We Can Know,” author Rob Fuquay points out that Jesus knew his Hebrew audience would be familiar with the Exodus story. They would understand the importance of the name as God made his presence known to Moses. Being raised in Egyptian culture, Moses knew that names possessed authority and magical powers. He struggled to accept God’s call and needed assurance that the Hebrews would follow him.

As I looked at other sources regarding Exodus 3: 14, I was reminded there is no precise translation. I discovered several more possibilities, all containing some form of  “to be”:

One who brings others into being

The One who is

I will be

I will be however I will be

By looking at the Hebrew translation, I felt a deeper understanding of that verse. The idea of God being there, wherever there is, is powerful. What finally settled in my mind … God is saying I will be there for Moses, the people of Israel, and me! That reminder also brought up thoughts about times when I doubted God was there for me - my wandering in the wilderness. This Lent, I pray for the willingness to turn my doubts over more quickly and to hear God’s voice sooner.

From the hymn “In the Desert, on God’s Mountain” (Worship and Song, p.3029, verse 3):

“I AM THAT I AM” has called you, spoke the incandescent voice.

Moses felt that message searing to the heart of will and choice.

May we pause to answer summons;

 May we hear God’s burning voice.

Amen.

Invitation to Lenten Study: Who is Jesus?

By Betty Hertz

St. John Lay Leader

With Lent beginning, I asked myself, “How will I grow in my faith journey this Lenten Season?” First, I looked at the St. John Discipleship Map for ideas and saw the words: Serve, Study, Sabbath. Study became a flashing sign. Then, browsing in the St. John library, the book “The God We Can Know Exploring the ‘I AM’ sayings of Jesus” caught my attention. Yes, I do believe God had a plan for me.

The “I AM” statements from the Gospel of John have circled in my brain for several months. I took the God Moment in the library to decide to move them from my brain to my heart.

 Do these words sound familiar?

I AM:           

the Bread of life (John 6:35)

the Light of the world (John 8:12)

the Gate (John 10:7-8)

the Good Shepherd (John 10:11)

the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25)

the Way and the Truth and the Life (John 14:6)

the True Vine  (John 15:1-2)

Each statement paints a picture of who Jesus is. If I reflect on each one, I know my faith will deepen. So, I plan to focus on one statement a week.

I shared my planned study with the Wednesday Night Bible Study, and the group decided to spend our Wednesday night meetings during Lent studying the statements. I look forward to hearing others’ thoughts as we share our faith.

If you want to learn more about who Jesus says he is, I invite you to join us in person (Room 160) or via Zoom (950 9695 0777) starting March 1 at 6:30. All are welcome.

Gracious God,

Guide us in our study of Jesus’ words.

Help us write I AM in our hearts.

Show us ways to share Jesus with others.

  In your Beloved Son’s name. Amen.  

Reflection on Grief

By Betty Hertz

As I think about the recent deaths of St. John family members, I recall my questions when I grieved. I remember asking myself, “If I truly believe in the resurrection, I should be happy my loved one is with God. What kind of Christian am I to be weeping?” I sometimes cried out, “How long will I hurt?”

The Bible provided me with some answers. John 11:35 “Jesus wept.” I now understand the power of those words. By  Jesus showing human emotions, He is giving us permission to be human in our grief. Being honest with God allows us to feel His presence in our pain.

In response to how long, my friends said, “As long as it takes.”  From Isaiah 41:10 “but fear not for I am with you.”  Psalm 18: 16 gave me hope, “He reached down from on high and took hold of me, he drew me out of deep waters.”

As I moved from darkness into light, the words from Hymn of Promise also gave me hope:

            “There’s a dawn in every darkness

            Bringing hope to you and me

            Unrevealed until its season

            Only God alone can see.” (UMH 707)

I knew the healing had begun when I could sing the words without crying.

God, the Great Comforter,

            We give thanks you are with us always.

            Help us trust in your strength to guide us as we grieve.

            Through you, the darkness will become light.

            In Jesus' name, Amen.

 St. John member Betty Hertz is a Stephen Minister and Certified Lay Speaker.