NO BIBLE NO BREAKFAST DAILY BIBLE REFLECTIONS AND MORE

THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD (JOHN 8:12-19)

REFLECTION
“The Light of the world” is the theme for our reflection. A light is a source of illumination that makes things visible. The Light of the world presupposes that there was darkness in the world but light was provided to illuminate the world and make it possible for people in the world to see. We shall reflect on the fact that Jesus is the light of the world.

Beloved in the Lord, Isaiah had already prophesied, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. (Isaiah 9:2, Matthew 4:16) This type of darkness is a spiritual darkness caused by sin and separation from the glory of God. Anytime we sin and become unrepentant, we remain in darkness. It is for this reason that Paul wrote, “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”, (Romans 3:23). However, for the light and the glory of God to be restored in our sinful and darkened lives, we need His Word. The psalmist understood the Word of God to be the light of our sinful world when he said “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. (Psalms 119:105). Jesus, is not just a person but an embodiment of God’s Word who is the light of the world, for this reason, “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) Indeed, John wrote, “In him (Jesus) was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:4-5). In sum, Jesus is the light of the world and it is only through Him that we can know God and please Him in this sinful and broken world. Jesus further assures us that ““I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” (John 14:6-7) In other words, because He is the Light of the world, he represents the way, the truth and the life. Christmas reminds us of God’s love and the gift of His only begotten Son, Jesus, who has become the Light of the World to show us the way, the truth and the eternal life.

Dear friend in the Lord, anyone who does not have a personal relationship with Jesus, the Light of the world will remain in the darkness of sin. When we come to know Jesus, the light of the world, He brightens our lives like the Sun illuminates the world. Again, by our relationship with Him, we also become light, it is for this reason Jesus said ““You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14,16). It is impossible to walk in darkness if Jesus truly reigns in our lives because in His light we shall see light and God will be glorified. Unfortunately, many of us make the world believe that we have a relationship with Christ yet in reality, we are still in darkness. We are still in darkness because we are only churchgoers but not true disciples or believers of our Lord Jesus Christ. We go to Church on Sunday but from Monday to Saturday, we cheat, take bribes, encourage corruption, and indulge ourselves in forbidden and abominable acts that must never be mentioned among believers. We shall remain in the darkness of sin even if we have been attending church all our lives but have no relationship with Jesus. Many of us in the Church are like tenants who do not know their landlords. We have been attending Church services since were born but have not yet met Jesus. Church attendance alone does not guarantee salvation. True repentance and welcoming Jesus into our lives by making Him the Lord and Saviour through a new birth or regeneration of the Holy Spirit is essential to our salvation, and becoming the light of the world. May we welcome Jesus, the light of the world fully into our lives even as we prepare to enter a new year.

In summary, we have reflected on the theme “The Light of the World” We have learned that Jesus is the light of the world. Without Him, we shall remain in the darkness of sin. We do not only see the light when we make Jesus our Lord and Saviour, but we actually become illuminated to also become the light of the world to the glory of God. Shalom.

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, remain the Light of our world. May we be illuminated by Your Word and examples so that we shall live to please and glorify God all the days of our lives. Amen.