Main Point and Overview:
Illumination is a powerful and needed tool in many cases. Several examples come to mind. We need headlights to see where we are driving. We need traffic lights to avoid collisions. We need streetlights to show addresses. We need nightlights to avoid walking into the bathroom wall. The point being that light is necessary for direction. It is also necessary for exposure. Light shows blemishes on our faces. Light exposes a thief in hiding. Light reveals every diabolical and devastating scheme in both a literal and figurative sense. For the people of Israel, light held even greater significance. It was a visual illustration of what had happened in the past and what was yet to come. For Israel, many years previous to Jesus, they had wandered in the wilderness in their shame and disbelief. Even then, God’s presence led them as a shining light. For Israel (and all of humanity), they were also eagerly awaiting a time when God will rule and reign over all the earth in his literal kingdom. During this amazing time yet to come, God himself will be the shining light! So, when Jesus declared himself to be the “Light of the World,” that was a significant statement! He was in fact declaring himself to be the Messiah, God in the flesh! This reality holds a lot of significance for his true followers. It gives us hope that he is the One that lights our paths. We must trust him day by day. It also reminds us that we will be opposed by the darkness, just as he was opposed by the darkness. Don’t fear the darkness! Instead, stand up to the darkness! We are living in a time where disciples of Jesus are being called to be bold in our faith! Remember, darkness has already been defeated!
Illumination is a powerful and needed tool in many cases. Several examples come to mind. We need headlights to see where we are driving. We need traffic lights to avoid collisions. We need streetlights to show addresses. We need nightlights to avoid walking into the bathroom wall. The point being that light is necessary for direction. It is also necessary for exposure. Light shows blemishes on our faces. Light exposes a thief in hiding. Light reveals every diabolical and devastating scheme in both a literal and figurative sense. For the people of Israel, light held even greater significance. It was a visual illustration of what had happened in the past and what was yet to come. For Israel, many years previous to Jesus, they had wandered in the wilderness in their shame and disbelief. Even then, God’s presence led them as a shining light. For Israel (and all of humanity), they were also eagerly awaiting a time when God will rule and reign over all the earth in his literal kingdom. During this amazing time yet to come, God himself will be the shining light! So, when Jesus declared himself to be the “Light of the World,” that was a significant statement! He was in fact declaring himself to be the Messiah, God in the flesh! This reality holds a lot of significance for his true followers. It gives us hope that he is the One that lights our paths. We must trust him day by day. It also reminds us that we will be opposed by the darkness, just as he was opposed by the darkness. Don’t fear the darkness! Instead, stand up to the darkness! We are living in a time where disciples of Jesus are being called to be bold in our faith! Remember, darkness has already been defeated!
Posted in Devotional