Jesus, the Light of the World

Generally, I don’t like being in the dark (except of course when I’m trying to sleep!). Some people like a dim, cozy lighting, but I prefer bright, glaring lights! 🙂 As humans, we naturally need light for life. Some places, such as Greenland and Alaska, experience several winter months of only three or four hours of sunshine each day – the rest of the day is darkness. Can you imagine going through most of your day like that? Jesus calls Himself the Light of the world. Just as we need physical light in our lives, so much the more do we need His Light in our lives.

Do you ever get up in the morning, while it is still dark outside, and turn on a bright light? It’s been said that it is actually one of the best ways to help you wake up, especially if you aren’t a morning person and struggle to get going in the morning. That may be true, but it certainly is a jolting experience! The glorious gospel of Christ is like that bright light in the morning; being confronted with the truth of the gospel is in part an uncomfortable experience because it contrasts so greatly with the darkness within us. However, if we allow the Light to stay on, if we turn towards the Light and not away from it, we will find salvation, deliverance from sin, and light in our life.

There have been times where I am walking through a dark room, and I refuse to turn on the light because it is almost a fun challenge to see if I can make it through and figure it out without seeing. That’s all well and good, if I make it safely through, but when my shin meets the sharp corner of an unseen object… I may wish that I had just turned on the light!

Often in life, we are faced with uncertainty, with darkness, as to what decision to make, what path to choose, or what we should do in a certain situation. We know that The Lord has given us His Word to be the Light that we need, but we don’t always “turn on” the Light. It could be pride and independence that keep us from seeking His Light. We think that we can handle it on our own. It could be forgetfulness, busyness, or laziness that keeps us from seeking His direction. We can have our way illuminated by the Light of the world, but we must seek Him in His Word.

In the context of these verses, David’s soul was cast down within him. He was depressed in spirits from the circumstances that he was facing. In the midst of that, he asked God for His Light. We might not be facing what we would categorize as “depression” in our lives, but every one of us knows what it is to be discouraged, to be having a bad day, to be going through difficult circumstances or a trial of our faith. When we are in the middle of that, whether it is big or small, it can seem as if we are in darkness – spiritually, mentally, emotionally. Like David, We need to remember in those moments the One Who is the Light of the world, Who will freely give the Light of His presence and His peace in the midst of whatever difficulty we are facing, big or small.

When we have been delivered by Him Who is the Light, and we are walking in His Light, we will naturally deflect that light to those around us – we will be seeking to allow His Light to shine through us to the world around. We don’t produce the Light, but it is His Light alone that can illuminate the darkness in people’s hearts. Without Him, we have no light; however, His Light can be shone through us to lost people all around us.

In the midst of a dark world, what a blessed privilege to know the Light of the world, Jesus Christ our Savior! This week, as you face uncertainties, discouragements, or difficulties, think of Him Who is the Light for every situation of life!