Jesus Christ-The Light of All Lights
Dr. Valson Abraham
Jesus said, “I am the Light of the World.”
Jesus entry into the world was announced to the wise men as a star in the heavens. But Jesus first publicly spoke these words at the feast of tabernacles during a festival of lights.
Any perceptive person hearing Jesus speak of Himself as “light” would have thought of the pillar of cloud and fire that guided and protected Israel in the wilderness. They might have remembered Isaiah’s prophecy concerning the coming Messiah: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light” (Isaiah 9:2). Jesus’ words should have been a welcome announcement to His hearers of God’s grace and everlasting presence.
Light is a powerful image to convey God’s truth. Light has a definite character. It is bright and obvious. It always has a source. Even the dimmest light shines a great distance in the dark.
Light brings freedom and security. Have you ever found yourself in an unfamiliar place when the light suddenly goes out and you are plunged into total darkness? What a frightening experience! How very easy it is to panic! The situation can even become dangerous and life-threatening. We regain our sense of security only when the light comes back on again.
Life itself is much like that. Without warning, we can be suddenly plunged into circumstances beyond our understanding and control, and we can easily panic or lose hope. Order can degenerate into chaos. But as we call in faith upon Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, He will faithfully illuminate the way through our impossible situation.
By itself, darkness seems all-powerful. But light immediately dispels darkness. Darkness is simply the absence of light. Light also reproves the darkness. It illuminates what is both good and bad. It takes away our blindness and enables us to see things for what they are. This is welcome news to some, but bad news to others.
Nothing blocks light except something hard, thick and solid-like a hard human heart. Watch how cockroaches scurry for cover when you turn on the lights. That is because they hate light. Some people are like cockroaches. Jesus said, “Men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil” (John 3:19-20).
Some people don’t want their evil exposed for what it is. They trust only themselves. They refuse to see themselves as sinners. That is why Jesus had so many enemies-and why we will also have enemies-because Jesus, who said, “I am the light of the world,” also said to His children, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14-15).
When we bear Christ’s light, hatred by some is inevitable-though others will seek us out, even as Nicodemus approached Jesus at night.
Whether we know it or not, we as children of God are exposing evil in the world. In Jesus’ day, sinful men attacked Jesus. At times, we must also expect slander and persecution.
Light also brings growth. Jesus’ light changes and purifies us. We become lights to the world as we strengthen our relationship with Christ. As we yield to Christ’s light, we bring truth to those still in darkness and sin. We reach out to the forgotten and needy.
Jesus is the Light of the world. Jesus was born in Bethlehem for all people. It is His will that no one be left outside of His light.
In many states of India there is an annual Hindu festival of lights in which the lighting of lamps signifies the triumph of good over evil, of higher knowledge over ignorance. Whatever our backgrounds, we all know we live in darkness and that we need light.
May we let the fullness and permanence of Jesus’ light guide us as we live our daily lives and work together to shine the light of the gospel into all who have not yet heard.
Father God, in a world filled with darkness, I need you to show the way in every area of life. Thank you for sending your light through Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. I commit myself to follow His light wherever He may lead and share His light with others. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.
