We see Jesus continuing to have conflict with the religious leaders. They just could not hear what Jesus was saying. Everything He said seemed to just bounce off of them. They didn’t get it. The reason is because they just did not have faith. As smart as they were, they did not believe. It is the belief that makes it all possible. It is that faith that only comes when we surrender to God; that is where it all starts. Today, no matter where you are, may you and I surrender. When we surrender to God, even when it is hard, that is where life truly begins.

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Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend and are ready for a strong start to your week. It’s Monday, and I’m glad to be with you as we continue our study of the Gospel of John. On Friday, we explored the powerful story of the woman caught in adultery, where Jesus famously said, “Let the one without sin cast the first stone.” Today, we’ll pick up from where we left off, starting with John 8:12.

This passage continues a theme we’ve seen in earlier chapters—Jesus revealing deep truths about who He is.

We see here a continuation of the conversation about witnesses that started in chapter 7. The Pharisees challenged Jesus, claiming His testimony was invalid because He was speaking on His own behalf. They were approaching the situation from a legal perspective, seeing things through the lens of the law and tradition. Jesus, however, was speaking about a much deeper truth—a relational truth between Him and the Father.

One key point to notice is that Jesus begins with an “I am” statement: “I am the light of the world.” This is hugely significant. In their religious tradition, the phrase “I am” was reserved for God. In Exodus, when Moses asked God who he should say sent him, God replied, “I am who I am.” So when Jesus says, “I am the light of the world,” He’s making a direct claim to divinity. This statement would have immediately raised alarm among the Pharisees, as they understood the magnitude of what He was saying.

The Pharisees, however, didn’t accept His claim. They questioned the validity of His testimony, stating that He needed another witness. But Jesus responded by saying that His testimony was valid because it wasn’t just His—His Father, God, also testified on His behalf.

The Pharisees couldn’t see or accept the truth of who Jesus was because they lacked faith. They were looking for legal validation, but Jesus was speaking of something far greater—a relationship with God. He says, “You don’t know me, and you don’t know my Father.” This is a powerful reminder that understanding Jesus goes beyond just intellect and legalities. It starts with faith.

In our Christian journey, we’re called to love God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). While intellect and understanding are important, they must be grounded in faith. Faith is the starting point. Without faith, we can miss the truth standing right in front of us—just as the Pharisees did with Jesus.

I believe in the importance of intellect. I love reading, studying, and deepening my understanding of God through the Bible and other writings. However, as much as we seek knowledge and understanding, it’s essential to begin with faith. Some of the wisest people I’ve known were not the most educated, but their deep faith produced wisdom, understanding, and truth.

Hebrews 11:6 reminds us, “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.” Intellect can only take us so far; at some point, we must surrender our doubts, fears, and questions to God. When we surrender, we open ourselves up to the work of the Holy Spirit, who brings revelation, peace, and wisdom.

Surrender isn’t something we do just once. It’s a daily choice. Each day, we must choose to trust God and surrender our intellect, our doubts, and our control. It’s through this daily act of faith that we can grow and become who God has called us to be.

So today, as you go about your day, remember to start with faith. As you study Scripture, serve others, and try to be a light in the world, let it be grounded in faith. Trust that God’s got this, even when you don’t fully understand or have all the answers.

May we all surrender today and trust that through faith, we will grow in wisdom, understanding, and love. Have a wonderful day, and I look forward to continuing our study tomorrow as we move to John 8:21.