AP

Jesus: The Light of the World

By James Jeffery

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

How would you describe the world today using one word? Maybe you would use corrupt, particularly in relation to governments and their actions over the past few years. Maybe you would use evil to describe the wickedness that appears to prevail. One word God uses to describe the world is darkness. It is becoming increasingly clear to many that the world is a dark place — not merely physically — but spiritually.

With access to an endless stream of news and social media, it can be easy to feel quite hopeless at the state of the world. Indeed, this darkness even lurks within our own hearts; we are part of the problem. Living in the darkness, our greatest need is to have this darkness dispelled, and there is only one thing that can do it: the light.

The great power of light is its ability to illuminate things. Light reveals things as they really are so that we can see them with clarity and precision. It also provides hope and direction for where we need to head. When Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world’ (John 8:12), this is what He had in mind. He came to reveal who God is, and who we are. More than this, He came to reveal how we can be right with God in a world of darkness.

Light Reveals What is Hidden

The fact that light reveals is a blessing in many ways. Light can illuminate a pitch-black room and can show you where your keys are. The dawn sunrise penetrates the shadows of the night, revealing the rolling mountains and crystal blue sea. These rays of light all find their source in the great celestial ball we call the sun. Its ability to reveal is a great blessing.

The same light that reveals can also be a curse. Just as the sun reveals what the world really looks like, Jesus reveals what we are really like. Jesus, the true light of the world, came into the world to expose our sin, thereby revealing our need for salvation.

In John 3:19, Jesus said:

“And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.”

As sinners, we do not like our sin being exposed. We are frightened because we fear what others would think of us if they knew who we really were. But even more than this, we are afraid of facing our Creator in all our guilt and shame.

This is why Jesus said:

“For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed’ (3:20)”

Like Adam and Eve, we try and hide from God in our sin. Nevertheless, thanks be to God, the story does not end here.

Light Reveals the Way to God.

Jesus did not only come into the world to reveal our sin, but also to reveal the way of salvation. While the shame and guilt we experience before God is great, His mercy and kindness are greater.

Jesus promises that ‘whoever follows [Him] will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life’ (8:12). Jesus offers life and light to all who trust in Him.

If you come to Jesus in faith will never face God’s righteous judgment for your sin. Instead, you will experience the joy and life that comes from living in the light of Christ, and this begins today!

As we read in John’s gospel:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed I the name of the only Son of God.” (John 3:16-18)

Closing Words

Outside of Jesus, there is only darkness and despair. Without knowing who God is, we will never know who we are. Without knowing who we are, we will never know where we are headed. Jesus came to put an end to this confusion and anxiety by showing us the light, and that light is Himself.

Jesus has dispelled out the darkness of this world by shining upon us His light. Those of us who trust in Him will never walk in darkness but will always have the light of life. There is no other way to experience clarity, peace, and joy than to live in the light of Christ. If this is you, pray that God would grant you the opportunity to share Jesus with others who are still living in darkness.

Closing Prayer

Dear Father,

We praise and thank You for taking us out of the darkness, and for doing so through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Holy Spirit, empower us to live in the light, knowing that this is where Christ dwells. Give us faith to believe that You are the only source of life and light.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.