The Light of the World

May 22

I Samuel 18-19

Psalm 64:1-6

Proverbs 14:11-12

John 12

The Light of the World

“So Jesus said to them, ‘For a little while longer the Light is among you.  Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.  While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light….I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.’”  John 12:35-36, 46 LSB

Throughout the gospel of John, Jesus is referred to as “light.”  John begins the book in 1:4-5 saying, “In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.  And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.” LSB  In John 8:12 Jesus says, “I am the light of the world; he who follows Me will never walk in darkness but will have the Light of life.” LSB  And in John 9:5 He says, “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” LSB  So what exactly does it mean that Jesus is “light?”  Jesus is the ultimate source of truth.  He provides guidance and illuminates the path for all who seek Him.  Light is often thought of as the opposite of darkness, but that isn’t really accurate.  Darkness is the absence of light.  Darkness is not a thing by itself.  It does not exist.  It is merely a state where there is no light.  Light always defeats darkness.  I live near Mammoth Cave.  It is always amazing to me when I am in the cave and they turn out the lights.  It is completely and utterly dark.  You cannot see your hand in front of your face.  But then they light a match and even that small light dispels the darkness so that you can see.  When you introduce light to darkness, light always wins. 

So when we refer to Jesus as light, darkness is the absence of Jesus.  The world is filled with sin and evil, lacking understanding of the truth that Jesus reveals.  It is walking in moral and spiritual blindness.  When Jesus enters the life of a believer, He illuminates the path, guiding them to goodness, truth and righteousness.  He exposes and overcomes the evil and darkness in their life and frees them to walk in light.  Exposure can be uncomfortable, but the freedom that comes from walking in the light quickly dispels the fears created by sin and darkness.   The light Jesus provides does not bring condemnation; it brings hope and peace.  Once we experience the light of Jesus’ presence in our lives, we become sources of His light in the world around us.  Matthew 5:14-16 explains, “You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” LSB  And Philippians 2:15 goes even further, “So that you will be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as light in the world.” LSB  The presence of Christians in the world brings light to darkness.  We are the source of good and light until Jesus returns.  How brightly are you shining the light of Jesus in the world around you?