John - Day 19: The Light of the World

Jesus said in John 9:5, “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world”. What does this mean for us that Jesus is the Light of the World. First, Light Makes Life Possible. It’s true with all creation. I’m no scientist but from my understanding, you can make a pretty good case that creation— life—could not exist without our light source. Look at John 1:4. “In Him (Jesus) was life, and that life was the light of (for) men.” In Jewish thought, “life” and “light”, when taken metaphorically, were often very similar. Jesus is the source of life, and He offers that life as the light (an essential element for all life) to all men. In Jesus, we have both fullness of life here and now, and eternal life to come. He is our Light, which gives us life. Secondly, Light also chases away the darkness and reveals the way. In John 8:12, Jesus tells the people listening to Him that He’s the Light, and those that follow Him will never walk in darkness. There’s that connection between “light” and “life” again, right? Light chases away darkness, right? Darkness is the absence of light. When light appears, the darkness is gone and when the darkness is gone we can see clearly the way we’re supposed to go, the way that leads to life. Lastly, He Calls Us to be His Light Bearers. You know, none of us are the Light. We’re not the Light itself, but we bear the Light. We house the Light. We’re light containers, lanterns, if you will, for the one true Light. John 12 says we become children of the Light.
2 Corinthians 5:6 says that God made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of Jesus Christ.

Read John 8:12-30

Q: What does life look like in the darkness? How about the light?

Q: In what ways can you order your life to more consistently walk the way Jesus illumines (makes clear)? What part do others play in your walk?

Q: How are you Jesus’ light bearer? Are there ways you can keep your light hidden or covered?

Q: Who in your life is living in darkness and needs Jesus’ light in you?

For Further Study: Matthew 5:14-16