Ben Harrington

Seeing more light in the world.

I have been involved in the music ministry at St. Alban’s for about eight years. I currently play the piano at the Recharge service.

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” Then the Pharisees said to him, “You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid.” Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid because I know where I have come from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards; I judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is valid; for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me” John 8:12–20

Click here to read the appointed scripture for Monday in the Fifth Week of Lent.

Devotional

These verses raise questions. What does it look like to see the world in light, to see things as they truly are? How does Jesus understand our existence in this world versus how the Pharisees understand our existence in this world?

Jesus says he knows where he comes from and where he is going. Jesus sees the big picture of things. The Pharisees only see the small picture.

How can we zoom out and keep things in perspective with the grand scheme of God’s creation? When we face challenges, how can we not react from a small perspective, but choose to act from a big perspective?

Jesus references the very beginning (from where he came) and the very end (where he is going). How can we be more like Jesus in how we understand our place in the world?

I tend to think the Pharisees represent the way most of us often live in the world - quick to judgement, but short on understanding. Jesus is setting an example for us of not being quick to judge but to have peace and calmness by firmly understanding our place in creation.

I think often we fall back on making judgments to create a sense of security for ourselves. In this passage Jesus reminds us that true security and confidence is not to be found in the making of judgements about the world around us but by understanding our place in God’s grand plan of creation.

This Lenten season I am trying to see more light in the world so that I can be slow to judge and more quick to show compassion.