Yesterday, I had the privilege of doing our children’s sermon.  Sometimes when I feel sad about things going on in my life, I like to focus on the baptismal font.  So, I moved the font to the front and center of the aisle where no one would miss seeing it. When the children came up to hear the Word of God, I wanted them to know that it was important to know who Jesus was and what Jesus means in their lives, but also to know who they were – a Child of God!

In John 8:8-20, the scribes and the Pharisees had brought a woman to the temple to be stoned because she had committed adultery.  When Jesus comes on the scene, he tells them that anyone who has not sinned, can throw the first stone.  Since no one could not qualify themselves as sinless, they all backed away.  Jesus lets the woman walk away, unjudged.  However, here is what I love the most:  Jesus tells them, “I know where I come from and I know where I am going…If you know me, you would know my father also.”

This life is so hard. We have all kinds of voices talking to us – to tell us how we are to feel; how we are supposed to look; we aren’t good enough, pretty enough, smart enough, and it goes on and on.  If we are not confident in who we are – a Child of God…and know who Jesus Christ is – the One who died on the cross for us, it is so easy to hear the things of this secular world and not the Word of God that tells us how awesome we are because He created us!

Jesus was confident about who He was – the Son of God; and where He was going – to be with His Father! He did not care what the Scribes and Pharisees had to say or what they thought about Him!  He knew Who He was and to Whom He belonged!  Who cares what they think about Him!

Jesus claims that He is the Light of the world.  You see, this is how we become the Light of Life! (John 8:12) When we recognize who we are and to Whom we belong, the Light – Jesus Christ – is in us and with us!  Nothing else matters!

Let us pray.  Jesus Christ, Lord, Savior, and friend: When this life becomes so hard, help us to hear your words of love, grace, and mercy. Like the adulterous woman, please do not judge us when we know we have sinned.  Help us to remember who we are – your child and to Whom we belong – only You! Lead us and guide us to be the Light of Life in this world. Amen.