“Light of the World” (John 8:12)
Jesus the Son of God came down from heaven to a world overshadowed by darkness caused by men’s sins. He came to bring light to people’s lives.
Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
Jesus’ role as the Light of the world has been prophesied by the prophets of old:
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who lived in the land of the shadow of death; on them, the light has shined (Isaiah 9:2).
Matthew, a tax collector who became one of Jesus’ 12 apostles, confirms how Jesus is the fulfillment of this prophecy:
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles — The people who sat in darkness saw a great light. To those who sat in the region and shadow of death; to them, light has dawned” (Matthew 4:14-16).
Simeon, a godly elderly man, declares Jesus as…
“A light for revelation to the nations and the glory of your people, Israel” (Luke 2:32).
But to you who fear my name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in its wings. You will go out and leap like calves of the stall (Malachi 4:2).
Have you tried looking the sun straight in its disc? You can’t, at least for long, because its powerful beam would surely dazzle you and cause your eyes to involuntary shut as a natural reaction; and you would even see its light, its after image, running across your eyeballs as your eyelids remain shut.
Jesus is that glorious sunshine that brightens an otherwise gloomy horizon. He is the warm sunlight that melts away the somberness of a cold weather.
What do you consider the darkest years, months, days, moments of your life? Do you feel like you’re still living in that darkness? Don’t worry. Jesus can draw us out of it and bring us into the radiance of His presence. In Him is no darkness at all; everything is bright, vibrant, and wonderful. He can give us breakthrough from a lifetime of blindness and ignorance so that we won’t have to live in darkness ever again. We didn’t know any better, so we unwittingly stepped into Satan’s trap which kept us oblivious, helpless, backward, and foolish. Jesus, the Light of the world, can enlighten our minds and brighten our days so that we’ll be able see the beauty of life despite the ugliness that Satan viciously spreads.
Who is among you who fears Yahweh who obeys the voice of his servant? He who walks in darkness and has no light, let him trust in the name of Yahweh and rely on his God (Isaiah 50:10).
For you will light my lamp, Yahweh. My God will light up my darkness (Psalm 18:28).
The Lord promises and assures us that, if we follow Him, our lives will be bright. It will shine; it will thrive even if, later on, He allows us to go through some tribulations. The despicable blackness of Satan’s works won’t be able to put out our light if we cling to God, to Jesus. We’ll no longer go astray because we have Him by our side. As our Light, He illumines our way; and we never have to grope in the dark ever again. Ever.
