The Name of Jesusනියැදිය

Light of the World

The first chapter of the Bible depicts how the world began. There was darkness everywhere until God spoke. "Let there be light (Genesis 1:3 ESV)," he said. All of a sudden, light was created. We can only imagine what it looked like for light to come into existence for the very first time. Ever since that day, pictures of light and darkness permeate the story of the Bible and all of human history.

Just two chapters after light was created, Adam and Eve chose to disobey God, plunging the entire human race into spiritual darkness marked by sin and death. We have all followed in their footsteps. Each of us has chosen darkness over light. We’ve loved the darkness rather than the light. We’re not innocent people living in a dark world; we’re sinful people who love darkness.

Yet in God’s grace, we see glimpses of his light shining throughout the Old Testament. While God’s people wandered in the wilderness, they were led by a cloud during the day and a fire by night. The psalmist declared, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? (Psalm 27:1 ESV)" Isaiah prophesied that God’s coming servant would be a light for the nations.

In Genesis 1, God spoke and shattered the darkness with his light. In John 1, we’re told that the Word through which God overcomes the darkness is Jesus himself. John describes Jesus this way: "In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 8:12 ESV)." Jesus has overcome darkness through his life, death, and resurrection. And he says to everyone anywhere in this dark world, and everyone everywhere whose heart has loved darkness, "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 ESV)."

Live today in the light of the life Jesus has made possible for you. As you do, remember Jesus’ words to us: "You are the light of the world…Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16 ESV)." Perhaps ask yourself: What evidence do you see in your life and in the world around you that we love darkness? What does it mean, then, for you to live in the light of Jesus today? And what does it mean for you to be the light of the world? Praise Jesus as the Light of the World and ask him to overcome specific areas of darkness in your heart with his light. Ask him to help you to be light in the world around you today, and pray for over 24 million Thai people who are living in darkness and on a road that leads to eternal darkness, yet who still haven’t heard about Jesus, the Light of the World.