Light!

Light!

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12 KJV

The Inspiration:

Just take a quick read of the verses before this one: a woman caught in adultery was brought before Jesus, as if Jesus was the sole custodian of the law of Moses. The scribes and Pharisees were looking for occasion to accuse him of something, but Jesus wisely handled the matter, letting the woman go, but also warning her not to sin anymore. The fact that Jesus was sought for by His enemies is proof that they recognized his power and authority. He had constantly spoken truth to the people, and this was another occasion to teach. As I strive to handle life's issues, I must remember that God is light, and in Him, there is no darkness. I cannot come to God, holding on to my prejudices, but I must let him work in, and then flow out of me, so that all that He is can be manifest in me. 

The Expectation:

The scribes and Pharisees left, and Jesus again told the people: "I am the light of the world". That is a strong statement, coming from the place of absolute authority. He is not just the source, but the actual origin and essence of light. In and by Him can the world even see its way. Anyone who would walk through life and make it safely to the end would have to walk in and with Him. That statement leaves no room for a contest with any other authority, and does not permit any other source to be the light. Only Jesus can make such a claim. He does not attribute His power to acquired status, but to His nature. He is light, and of course, wherever He goes, light is made manifest. Just as He spoke to the people who had just witnessed Him forgive a woman caught in adultery, so does He now invite us all to come to Him today. How would you respond?

The Conclusion:

What is the benefit of following Jesus, you may ask? Jesus assures all who follow Him that they will not walk in darkness. Darkness has one attribute, out of many, and it is that you cannot see, hear or feel anything until the trouble is on you. You will not see danger coming; you cannot respond the right way to issues and you just cannot read the times and seasons you are in. The light of God comes to guide and guard, and also provides assurance of life that does not end. This is the ultimate: God does not just lead down here, but He leads all the way into eternal life. Would I want to rule the world down here, and then have no place in heaven with God? Does the world hold any attraction for me, so much so that I would sacrifice the eternal for the earthly and the temporal? Jesus is waiting for me to come to Him; He has all the answers, and if I have Him, I have all that really matters. Do you have Him? God's time of favour is here.