Light of the world

Updated February  2022

In a world where we are often overwhelmed and shaken by the dark times that confront us in the media, local and global events, or personal tragedies, what does light mean to us? Well, perhaps one way to answer this question is by looking at the opposite of light. Darkness symbolizes evil (John 3: 19-21; Luke 22: 53), physical or spiritual blindness (Matthew 6: 22-23; Psalm 119: 18; Ephesians 1: 18) and, of course, the absence of light. Living in a country beset with national electric power supply problems, I am all too familiar with power cuts, and having to fumble in the dark as I walk slowly towards a source of light, taking care to avoid bumping into objects, until the generators are turned on. Over time, I am getting used to seeing in the dark and therein lies the danger: becoming accustomed to the dark gives us a false sense of confidence that we can cope, at least in mundane tasks and familiar places, and find our way without light.

Jesus dispels our illusion. He says, “Walk while you have the light, lest [should in case] darkness come upon you, for he that walks in darkness does not know where he goes” (John 12: 35). Like the good shepherd with a lantern watching his flock by night, Jesus is our light in the darkness and has gone before us: if we follow him, we will not lose our way in the journey of life (John 14: 6). Moses wrote about the presence of God going before the Israelites in a pillar of fire by night to give them light during the exodus (their departure from Egypt; Exodus 13: 21-22). Now in the days before electricity, the only light available was natural light from the sun or from a fire. The light of Christ is like the brilliance of the sun, which controls the ocean tides, enables plants to grow and in turn powers and sustains all living things. In contrast, enlightenment from other sources is like the man-made light from electricity that has its uses and benefits, but pales in comparison to the source of light who is the source of life.

He is the true light that gives light to every man (John 1: 9) and, as we walk in the light, i.e. as we follow him, he exposes and displaces the darkness within (1 John 1: 5-9) and we in turn become the light of the world (John 9: 5; Matthew 5: 14-16). King David understood this when he said, “Where can I go from your spirit, where can I flee from your presence....if I say, surely the darkness shall cover me, even the night shall [then] be light around me, darkness does not hide [me] from you ...darkness and light are the same to you...search me, O God, and know my heart, try me and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139: 7, 11-12, 23-24). In other words, God sees what we do in the dark as clear as day (Luke 12: 2-5; Hebrews 4: 13) and our only recourse is His Spirit, His presence through Jesus our Immanuel (Matthew 1: 20-23; Isaiah 7: 14), to break the power of darkness over us (2 Corinthians 4: 6; Colossians 1: 12-15).

The whole of Scripture, both old and new testaments, point to God's salvation plan for humanity through Jesus Christ, the Messiah (Exodus 12: 21-24; Isaiah 53; John 1: 29; Revelation 17: 14). Reading the Bible is therefore essential to knowing Jesus and walking in his light (Psalm 119: 105, 130). He is the physical manifestation of the word of God who shines the light of his truth in our lives, if we let him (John 1: 1, 14; Revelation 19: 13; Psalm 43: 3). Today, if you don’t know him, ask the Lord Jesus to reveal himself to you and all that his death, resurrection and ascension mean for you and the whole of creation. 

Folks, we live in an age where many have lost their moral compass. Those who claim to be religious are sometimes just as bad or worse than those who reject God in order to be “masters of their fate, captains of their souls”.  Terrorism is producing fear and suspicion of all “radical” religious beliefs leading to government restrictions on freedom of religion. Our faith and allegiance to Christ will inevitably be tested and, as in the parable of the sower (Luke 8: 4-15), many will fall away. Now is the time to pray for strength and courage to endure to the end (Mathew 24: 13; Luke 21: 34-36, Revelation 3: 10), to know who we believe (2 Timothy 1: 12), and to commit to following Him come what may (Revelation 12: 11). We are not promised an easy ride (2 Timothy 3: 12) but we do have a faithful guide (John 14: 2-6; Hebrews 7: 25), hope of eternal life (John 3: 13-16; Romans 5: 5) and an unshakeable kingdom – the kingdom of God (Hebrews 12: 28; Romans 14: 17). In a world where many have lost their way, Jesus still calls, “I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8: 12).