Light in the Darkness

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world, whoever follows after me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”
John 8:12

The prophet Isaiah speaking about the coming Messiah says: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned” (Isa. 9:12). From the time of the first act of disobedience, our world has been cloaked in darkness. But God’s plan was to infiltrate the darkness with His own light. 

Jesus the Son of God, entered into this dark world to bring the light of life and love. Born into the darkness of his time, he would push back the darkness and with everyone who believed and made the choice to follow Him and call Him Lord the darkness was pushed back more.

We can see the darkness all around us, and yet for those of us who are followers of Jesus, followers of “the light of the world” we by our prayers, by our love for one another and our compassion for those around us, help hold back the darkness. 

Jesus was born in to an era when no doubt the people thought it couldn’t get any worse. A tyrant king was ruling in the land, the Roman government was oppressive and violent. In his efforts to rid himself of the One called “the king of the Jews” this king had all the male children killed - put to death by the sword. 

Today we live in a world equally dark, the weapons may be different but tyrant rulers still kill and imprison those who they fear and mankind can be cruel beyond the imaginable. But there is hope even still - even in the midst of tragedy, because life giving - life changing light it still present. We who call ourselves followers of Jesus bear that light within our very beings - we must allow it to shine as brightly as we can, inviting others into its comforting glow. 

This time of year as we celebrate the coming of Jesus, we celebrate the coming of God’s light and love into our dark world. Be the light today. Shove back the darkness to reveal an abundant life of joy, peace, and love. 

My Prayer For You
Father, thank you for sending your light into the world through a child. Thank you that Your Son imparts His light to us through Your Holy Spirit. Lord, how hard it is for us to comprehend the evil we witness in our world and yet we are called to shine Your light - Help us especially now to be the beacons that will show others the way to You. In the name of Jesus, the light of the world. Amen.