June 14

John viii. — 12. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

13. The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself: thy record is not true.

14. Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, get my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.

15. Ye judge after the flesh: I judge no man.

16. And yet, if I judge, my judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.

17. It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.

18. I am one that bear witness of myself; and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.

19. Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.

20. These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple; and no man laid hands on him, for his hour was not yet come.

21. Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go ye cannot come.

22. Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.

23. And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.

24. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins; for, if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

25. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.

26. I have many things to say, and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.

27. They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.

28. Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.

29. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

Jesus was more than a teacher of truth; for he not only gave light, but was the Light: more than the guide to life; for he was the Light of life. As the great Augustine has said, "Light, which brings other things to view, brings itself to view. Light furnishes its own testimony: it opens healthy eyes, and itself is a witness to itself." During the Feast of Tabernacles, it was the custom to light up the courts of the temple with a brilliancy which illuminated the whole city. With this extraordinary light from the holy place fresh in the

minds of his hearers, Jesus announced himself as the Light, not of one city or people only, but of the whole world. This light had come, not to search men out for judgment, but to guide them to salvation; but, for that very reason, so much the greater must be the condemnation to those who should reject it. Not to come forth and walk in the light is to abide in darkness; not to come to the Saviour will be to die in sin; and to die in sin, rejecting Jesus, who alone can save from sin, will be to die without hope, and to perish without remedy.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 76, 78.

O God, who hast spoken to us by thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ! grant us, we pray thee, that faith in him which is eternal life. May we believe unto the saving of our souls!

We thank thee for the many means which thou hast provided for our growth in grace and knowledge. Make thy holy Word to be our nourishment, our guide, and the constant source of comfort and strength. May we by it be made wise unto salvation! May it ever be as a lamp to our feet, and a light to our path! O Lord! thou only teachest to profit: thou art the fountain of light and wisdom and truth. In thy light may we see light! Preserve us from error, and from the sin of unbelief.

Pardon our many sins and short-comings. Cleanse thou us from secret faults. Keep us back from presumptuous sins. Help us, O Lord! to serve thee better, and to love thee more heartily.

Sanctify us wholly, body, soul, and spirit. Let us not be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of our minds.

We bless thee that thou hast granted us peaceful rest in the night-season. Now take our souls, O holy Father! into thy keeping. Whether we live, may we live unto thee; and whether we die, may we die unto thee: so that, living or dying, we may be the Lord's! We look to thee in trust for all things needful in this life. Continue thy favor to this family; be very gracious to all our friends; and show thy mercy and salvation unto all men. Give thy Word free course, and let it be glorified. May it be the wisdom of God and the power of God unto salvation! O Lord! hear these our prayers, and grant unto us an answer of peace; for we come to thee, trusting not in our own righteousness, but in the alone merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.