12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 13 The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.” 14 Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. 16 But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. 17 In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. 18 I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.” 19 Then they asked him, “Where is your father?” “You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” 20 He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come.
Yesterday we noted that Jesus, as the light of the world, is the one who brings the presence of God and hence hope to us for each day. As light of the world he is also the protection of his people. As the pillar of fire in the wilderness protected God’s people from enemies and danger, so Jesus is our great protector.
What do we need to be protected from today? A nasty virus is one answer. So too are a whole range of fears of other dangers, both real and present as well as vaguely possible ones. In John’s first letter he points out to us that “perfect love casts out fear.” Perfect love is Jesus, our protector, who gave himself at the cross for us. John further tells us that fear has to do with punishment. That is, we can go through life with all sorts of fears because we think that one of these days God is going to punish me, and everything will go wrong. But Jesus the protecting light has died for you and received all punishment from God. Does that mean that nothing can go wrong? No, but it does mean that as you face the dangers of life today, God is not going to punish you. You may face problems, but you face them as a loved child of God who is forgiven and being led towards a blessed eternity.
Spend time praising God for the eternal protection you have through Jesus.