October 24 – Light of the World

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."  John 8:12

Imagine yourself in total darkness—floating. With no point of reference you wouldn’t know up from down. Then light came into your world—a warm, friendly light piercing the darkness giving you a sense of direction, peace, and undoubtedly hope. This verse tells us that Jesus is the Light of the world. Capital L – Light! In our family, it is the big letters—the capital letters that have the say and power! The big J’s. Just like that, Jesus is saying that He is the LIGHT. In the Blue Letter Bible, Strong’s Lexicon* it explains the use of the word “light” in that “God is light because light has the extremely delicate, subtle, pure, brilliant quality; because of truth and its knowledge, together with the spiritual purity associated with it; because that which is exposed to the view of all, openly, publicly; and because of the power of understanding, especially moral and spiritual truth.”

As Jesus sat on the hillside above the Sea of Galilee one warm day and taught the crowd that gathered to hear Him, part of what He said included a teaching on light. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."  Matthew 5:14-16. You are the light of the world…that is us, but only if we allow His light to flow through us. We have to let our light—His truth—shine in what we do and say to help and encourage others. That “light” should be spiritually pure. Once again the importance of purity and holiness in our lives is evident if we are to be pleasing to God—to be seeking to do His will and His work.

Is your lamp lit? Is it shining for the Lord?

Dear Jesus—Let Your light shine through me that others would feel Your love and presence in their lives.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

*Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for phōs (Strong's 5457)". Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2012. 23 Oct 2012. < http:// www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?
Strongs=G5457&t=NASB >