The light of the world
Have you ever found yourself in the complete dark? A pitch-black room or a deep cave? It’s amazing how the absence of light changes everything — we don’t know where we are, where we are going, or what’s ahead.
In the Bible, Jesus made a powerful statement about light. He said, “I am the light of the world!” (John 8:12). For the first century Jew, light was associated with God, evoking Scriptures like:
“The Lord is my light and my salvation …” (Psalm 27:1)
“The Lord your God will be your everlasting light …” (Isaiah 60:19)
“The Lord will be my light …” (Micah 7:8)
Jesus’ claim to be the light of the world was astonishing, as it identified Him as the one the Jewish prophet Isaiah wrote about hundreds of years earlier when he said, “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light.” (Isaiah 9:2). Jesus was asserting that he was the long-awaited Messiah, inviting people to follow Him and not walk in darkness.
Think about how light either illuminates or blinds — it draws us in or causes us to turn away. Jesus doesn’t invite us to admire or gaze upon the light. He invites us to follow the light. Following means more than looking; it means living for His purpose.
Objects react to light in different ways, don’t they?
- Transparent objects pass light through, remaining unchanged (think window).
- Translucent objects scatter the light (think frosted shower doors).
- Opaque objects block the light (think wall).
- Mirrored objects reflect the light (think bathroom mirror).
Our goal is to be mirrors, reflecting Christ’s light to the world.
In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus turns the metaphor of light around and pins it on us. He says, “You are the light of the world —like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden … In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
Jesus calls us to let our light shine before others — not so they will see more of us, but so they will see more of God. So how will you respond to the light of the world? Join me in shining bright this week!
Eric Rust is the pastor of Cedar Hills Church. He can be reached at cedarhillschurch.com.