Walking in the light of Jesus

Last Sunday was the special day this year for celebrating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. For those who celebrated Jesus’ resurrection because they, with Christians everywhere, genuinely believe it happened, here is something to consider.

John 8:12 in the New Testament quotes Jesus saying of himself, “I am the light of the world.” Jesus next words were “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Clearly Jesus meant more than physical light by the phrase “the light of life.” Having the light of life is contrasted with walking in darkness. To walk in darkness is, at least in some sense, to not know clearly where one is going. Walking in darkness also clearly means living in ways that bring about more evil than good. Walking in the light involves knowing what the right thing to do in any situation is and acting on that knowledge.

Walking in the light of Jesus helps us know what to do and gives the moral courage to do it. Our culture is deeply divided over issues of what constitutes good and evil behavior. Jesus’ claim implied strongly that without the light he gives we will wind up walking in darkness. The motto of the university I attended was “Let there be light.” The assumption was that knowledge brings light. I am fully convinced, however, that knowledge divorced from a commitment to Jesus and his teaching is inadequate for knowing the difference between right from wrong.

Jesus did not promise light to those who had knowledge of his teaching, but to those who followed him. The Greek word for follow in John 8:12 involves ongoing action. A casual acceptance of Jesus with no honest desire to let him change us is never good enough. (Bible quotations from the NIV)

Pastor Dan York ministers at Dover Community Church.