The Light of the World is Jesus

In the last few weeks, I've been thinking a lot about the sin in the world, and the antidote to that sin: Jesus. Sometimes I feel like I'm overwhelmed by the sin around me: in the world at large, in my city, in my neighborhood, in my family, in myself. So many people, even those who know the truth and the instruction of Christ, choose to live in a way that is not up to His standard; and that is sin. The whole world truly is lost in the darkness of sin.

"This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God." John 3:19-21

Jesus spoke those words when He came to earth thousands of years ago. And they still ring true today. We have the Light - Jesus - but men love the darkness rather than the Light. Many people can't even understand or comprehend the Light because of the darkness that surrounds them.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1:1-5

Those of us who walk with Jesus have the light of Life, "no darkness have we who in Jesus abide." This is why Jesus came - to get us out of the darkness of sin!

"I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness." John 12:46

We walk in the Light when we follow our guide.

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

Those who dwell in darkness can get out - by trusting in Jesus and putting faith in Him. By following Him and leading a life marked by one who has been saved; a life in the Light. This light and saving from the darkness was prophesied many years before Jesus came, giving hope to those who were waiting for the Messiah.

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them. Isaiah 9:2

Those of us who have trusted Christ as our Savior and walk in the light look forward to the day when we will join with other believers in heaven. The last stanza of this hymn encourages us about that day: we will not need sunlight because the Lamb is the Light in the City of Gold! The Lord God will illumine us!

And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.
Revelation 22:5

Coming soon...more thoughts on Light and living in the Light.

The Light of the World is Jesus
Words by Philip Bliss

The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Like sunshine at noonday His glory shone in.
The Light of the world is Jesus!

Refrain
Come to the light, ’tis shining for thee;
Sweetly the light has dawned upon me.
Once I was blind, but now I can see:
The Light of the world is Jesus!

No darkness have we who in Jesus abide;
The Light of the world is Jesus!
We walk in the light when we follow our Guide!
The Light of the world is Jesus!

Ye dwellers in darkness with sin blinded eyes,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Go, wash, at His bidding,and light will arise.
The Light of the world is Jesus!

No need of the sunlight in Heaven we’re told;
The Light of the world is Jesus!
The Lamb is the Light in the city of gold,
The Light of the world is Jesus!