The Light Of The World
Thursday, June 17, 2004 (06:39:11)

Posted by Conx

Of all the things that Jesus said, I think these are some of the most extraordinary and the most frightening.

"As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
John 9:5

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven".
Matthew 5:14-16

So who exactly is this YE, Jesus talks about? To whom was He transferring this task? Where was this darkness that needed to be scattered?

Jesus was speaking to His disciples when he uttered this extraordinary statement. It was to them that He passed this monumental task - to illuminate the world, to drive out darkness from the souls of men. Jesus knew His earthly life was coming to an end and He was preparing the troops to fight on after his departure. Jesus was the light that came into this world to redeem us from our sins, but He was also preparing for the future - our future.

We're all aware of the speed of light - the time which light takes to move from one place to another. See the measurement? It's in time, not distance - although many physicists argue it's the same thing. The light of the world is still travelling - it's done 2000 years so far and still it goes on.

In Genesis, God says "Let there be light", because He knew that man would need that light to see Him, to understand Him and to glorify Him. And yet, still, man chooses to hide himself in darkness. So the darkness Jesus spoke of is a spiritual darkness - and you're in just as much danger as you would be if you were plunged into earthly darkness whilst trying to climb a staircase or if the lights fail on your car.

But it goes even further than that. Paul says:

Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light - for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth - trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
Ephesians 5: 6-11

Suddenly we, (yep that's you and me folks!), are the light of the world. WE are the torch-bearers to take the light forwards. And Paul makes it absolutely clear just how much that light is needed. We've been handed the greatest double-edged sword ever - the chance to save the world and the ability to destroy it.

The only problem is that, to save the world, we need to be active in our battle with the darkness; whereas to destroy the world, all we have to do is sit back and do nothing. But we have one great advantage if we look at the nature of light. You see, darkness doesn't actually exist - it's merely the absence of light, whereas light is NOT the absence of darkness. Darkness only exists because we let it - that is our indictment, but it also identifies our path to salvation.

Conx

Copyright © Conway Billington

"I know that God won't give me more trouble than I can handle ... but sometimes I wish he wouldn't trust me so much." Mother Teresa