“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’
John 8:12 (NIV)
The Light From Within
Someone recently told me that I have a “glow” about me. My response was that my hope it is the light of Jesus reflecting off of him. If my light is from Him, it will sputter, and blink but never go out.
People have called me “Sunshine” and commented on my smile. Sometimes it is a stranger that says this to me.
In the Beginning
I didn’t know this until recently, but at the beginning of creation, God didn’t create the sun, moon, and stars until the fourth day. Back up a few verses and we read:
“And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light ‘day,’ and the darkness he called ‘night.’ And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.”
Genesis 1:3-5 (NIV)
Where did the light come from if there wasn’t a sun/moon? The light is from God!
Shekinah Glory
When God appears on Earth it is called the “Shekinah Glory”. Here are some links, if you want to dig in deeper.
https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-terms/what-is-the-meaning-of-shekinah-glory.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shekhinah
The verses at the beginning of the post from John are said during Hanukkah. I didn’t know this until I was an adult. It makes more sense now as to why Christ would be talking about the light.
Christ is the Light of the World
Hanukkah is also called the “Festival of Lights” and during the celebration, a menorah is lit.
https://jewsforjesus.org/publications/newsletter/newsletter-dec-2009/festivals-of-light/
Christians are Called to be the Light
We (Christians) are told in the New Testament that we are the light:
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”
2 Corinthians 4:6 (NIV)
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light”.
Ephesians 5:8 (NIV)
“For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
Acts 13:47 (NIV)
Take a moment and feel the light.
We are the light. Can you feel it? If you think about the light and how you are a beacon and an example, His light will shine through you. Others will see it and you will never be in darkness.
Remember that as you go through the day. When you start to get angry, sad, depressed or any other feelings that are bad, call on Christ. He is listening. He will light the way for you and shine through you.
