The Light Of The World

 

 

THERE IS one great light far above every light researched by the world’s scientists. Interestingly, neither hydroelectric dam, thermal plants, solar nor wind energies can generate this light. This special light does not create hormonal problems in humans as artificial light reportedly does. No natural disasters like storms, earthquakes, volcanoes or hurricanes can disrupt the operations of this light either.

 

It is a constant, unchanging and self-existing light, having a great capacity to meet the supernatural needs of people, who encounter it throughout the world. The people of Israel enjoyed this light in the wilderness in a special way while being rescued from slavery in Egypt through Moses. This is the light of God. He Himself is light and clothed in light. Therefore, He makes His people, who genuinely come to Him encounter the light.

 

“And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to GIVE THEM LIGHT,`that they might travel by day and night. The pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people” (Exodus 13: 21- 22).

 

People who genuinely receive this light in their lives are blessed. I mean, this supernatural light has the power to translate a person from the kingdom of darkness of the devil into the glorious kingdom of light of God. By it, the children of God see their way clearly so as not to fall into eternal destruction. You may not see it on people, but it is there in their hearts, giving them direction.

 

This is why the Bible says: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles – the people dwelling in darkness have seen a GREAT LIGHT, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them A LIGHT HAS DAWNED” (Matthew 4: 15- 16).

 

This light is a person, a massive Spiritual Being. Who is the great light we are talking about which enlightens the hearts and eyes of people? He is the Lord Jesus Christ, who was, and is and is to come. He is the light the people of Galilee saw about two millennia ago. He was with the people of Israel during their exodus right from day one, providing them with heat and visibility at night.

 

During His earthly ministry, one day, after He had forgiven the sins of an adulterous woman, who was caught in the act of adultery, and instructed her to sin no more, Jesus Christ declared publicly, “I am THE LIGHT of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8: 12, emphasis mine). In John 9:5, the Lord Jesus stated again: “While I am in the world, I AM THE LIGHT of the world,” (emphasis mine).

 

The reason Jesus Christ made such public confessions was for people to believe in Him for the eternal salvation of their souls. The Lord loves you and me, and would like us to believe in Him for our everlasting comfort and peace in a world which is yet to come. It is dangerous to walk in darkness. Darkness is sin, destruction and death. Satan is darkness. And God wants us to flee from all of these and come to Him for righteousness, knowledge and understanding.

 

The Saviour of the world says, “…walk while you have the light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become sons of light…I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should remain in darkness” (John 12: 35- 36, 46).

 

There is no doubt that Jesus Christ is Supreme Light that the world can ever have. Christ provides a spiritual light that saves men from sin and eternal death. When Saul encountered the light of Jesus Christ in Acts chapter 9, he changed from being an injurious and persecuting Pharisee of Christians to a preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was saved. That is the power of the light of Christ Jesus.

 

We also know that Christ Jesus is the Word of God as recorded in John 1: 1- 2 and in Revelation 19: 13. And if Christ and the Word of God are one, then, the Word of God itself is light. This is why when a sinner receives the Word of God in his heart, he sees how filthy he is before God, and thus humbles himself, and pleads the mercy of God for forgiveness and pardon of his sins.

 

In most cases, we weep over our misery and helplessness without Christ. And after we are forgiven, we learn to live our lives by the Word of God in order not slip again into darkness. The Psalmist knew this so he wrote of the Lord: “Your WORD IS A LAMP to my feet and a LIGHT TO MY PATH. This means he lives by the Word of God, respecting the oracles of God to guide him in his decisions and actions. Without doubt, we all need this light in order to live a life that pleases our Maker.

 

When Christians faithfully and genuinely connect to this great light they are turned into light themselves. The Lord Jesus made this clear when He told His disciples, “YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden…In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5: 14- 16).