LIGHT OF THE WORLD

“As long as I am in the world, I am the LIGHT of THE WORLD” – John 9:5

Jesus Christ is the Light of the world: “As long as I am in the world, I am the LIGHT of the WORLD” (Jh.9:5). He is the only True Light. Various religions claim to enlighten and give spiritual insight, but they don’t deliver. Philosophers speculate about the great questions of life, but they fall short of any true insight, because they’re in the dark. Colossians 2:3 says that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ. John 8:12 records the same affirmation of Jesus: “I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness…” Meanwhile, 1 John 1:5 says that “God is Light” (1Jh.1:5). God is absolutely pure and holy. Jesus as the Light of the world is also absolutely holy and without sin (Jh.8:46; Heb.7:26).

Jesus’ claim to be the Light of the world is therefore an undisputable claim that He is the Lord God in human flesh. In His Person as God the Son, Jesus speaks from God, for God, and as God! As God the Father is omnipresent, so is the exalted Jesus. In the Old Testament, God told His Servant, the Messiah, that He has appointed Him to be “a light to the nations” (Isa.42:6; 49:6). Mathew Henry wrote: “Christ is the Light of the world. God is light, and Christ is the image of the invisible God. One sun enlightens the whole world; so does one Christ, and there needs no more.” Apart from Christ Jesus, people are in spiritual darkness, awaiting the opening of their spiritual eyes (2Cor.4:4,6).

The world without Jesus is in deep darkness. Whoever is not connected with Him has limited capacity to understand reality and make sense or meaning out of life. Life can be great on earth, but is incomplete without Jesus. There is nothing we need more in this world today than light on our path. People are walking in darkness. In John 12:35, Jesus declares, He that walks in darkness does not know where he is going! Alas, many people do not know where they are going, not only after they leave this life, but even down the road a little. They have no idea of what is ahead; they are running into disaster and they cannot even see it coming. But the person who has light can see what is in his or her pathway.

Darkness is ever present in this world. It even longs to lure God’s children back into its fatal hold. But the Lord has promised that we who believe and have been made His followers will not wander in darkness but enjoy the light of life – Himself! The world is getting ever darker; evil is everywhere, threatening to overtake the light. We are however assured that the Lord will overcome every form of darkness with His everlasting light, and for us who will awake and arise to righteousness, and live by faith in Christ, He will bathe us forever in the everlasting love of His eternal light!

Jesus the Light of the World has given the Mandate of Light to every Believer: “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Mt.5:14-16). The Light of the world has called me to be the light to my world! God has called us to be children of light (Jh12:36). Our lights must shine so the world sees Him in us (Mt. 5:16). He wants for the world to turn away from the darkness of sin and yield utterly to the Father of Lights (Jam.1:17).

Do my words and deeds consistently reflect the reality of who my God is and who I am meant to be? Is my mind being transformed by God’s Word and by communion with the Holy Spirit?