THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

(Post by: Michelle Hobbs) Blogmas Day Two 2024

“Is there anything more wonderful than light?” This is the beautiful opening line in Andrew Kern’s new book, Unless the Lord Builds The House (2024). I have been contemplating this question since I read it a month or two ago. I invite all of you to contemplate this question as we move into Advent. What better way to prepare our hearts for Christmas?

Kern’s question, “Is there anything more wonderful than light?”, especially caught my attention because my favorite Bible verse is, “And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” (John 1:5 NKJV). The NIV says it like this, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Is there anything more wonderful than that? The darkness cannot comprehend the light, and best of all, it cannot overcome the light!

Just think, in the beginning when God was creating the heavens and the earth, when darkness was over the surface of the deep, and everything was shrouded in black, the Spirit of God was hovering over it all. Hallelujah! (Gen. 1:1-2)

Then, everything changed when God spoke. What did He say? What are the first words spoken by God?  “Let there be light.”

With that sentence He separated the light from the darkness (Gen. 1:3–4).

The Bible also tells us that Jesus spoke about light. Our Lord testified about Himself saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Did you know that the title, Light of the World or Lamp of the Universe, had been given by Jews to their most eminent Rabbis before Jesus came? I didn’t until I read it in one of Spurgeon’s sermons today.

Can you imagine how the Rabbis, Sadducees, and Pharisees must have reacted when Jesus called himself The Light of the World, and not only that, but He also said to His followers, “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14)

“Jesus, in effect, said – not the Rabbis, not the Scribes, not the assembled Sanhedrin, but ye, my humble followers, ye are the light of the world. He gave them this title, not after He had educated them for three years, but at almost the outset of His ministry; and from this I gather that the title was given them, not so much on account of what they knew, as on account of what they were. Not their knowledge but their character made them the light of the world.” (Spurgeon, 1873)

I have marvelous news, friends! If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, you are the light of the world too!

A genuine faith in Christ fills you with divine light that should then serve as a light in your little corner of the world.

You, yes you, in your humble homes, schools, and workplaces. You at the grocery store, the gym, the doctor’s office. You, who may never give a grand speech to a huge crowd or perform on a stage or write a book. You are the true light of the world; driving out the darkness that cannot comprehend your faith and can most definitely not overcome you.

I implore you to never forget, though, light cannot shine out from us if we are not connected to the source of that light. This Advent season is the perfect time to examine if you are truly abiding in Christ. There is no better time to behold Him and adore Him.

If you do, your light will show the darkness how dark it really is. Your light brings comfort as it chases away gloom. It brings hope to those in the valley of the shadow of death. Your light offers guidance to the lost.

Jesus’ followers, the light of the world, makes Christ known to sinners.

So, I ask you again. Is there anything more wonderful than light?

“See your calling, my brethren, admire it, be humbled that ye have not fulfilled it better; and ask for grace that, as the lights of the world, ye may be all that such a figure signifies.” (Spurgeon, 1873)