Light is an amazing feature of our universe. A recognized fact is that light can travel at 186,282 miles per second. The space shuttle, traveling at its maximum speed would take about 11 hours to reach this same distance. Your family car, traveling at interstate speed driving non-stop would take 111 days to travel the distance light can in a second.
Add to this the understanding that there is no known limit to the distance light can travel. We can see stars that are billions of lightyears away from earth. We also know that in our world, light is necessary for life. Plants need light to produce the oxygen we need.
But there is another quality of light that is less understood. Psychologists tell us that light is necessary for our mental health. This is made clear by the fact that there is a higher level of discouragement and depression when there is an extended period of overcast weather. Light is vital to our existence.
Therefore, it is not surprising that Jesus would use light to represent his consistency as God. John 8:12. When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” When he made this statement, Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles. As a part of this feast, sixteen giant bowls were erected in the Temple Court of Women. They could only be reached by ladder. They were filled with oil and the old garments of the priests were used as wicks. These were lit during this feast and their light could be seen for miles. Jesus stood under these while making this amazing proclamation.
Throughout the Bible, light represents God or goodness while darkness represents Satan or evil. God’s first creation was light. God used a pillar of fire to light the path of the Israelites as they sought the Promised Land. The reference to God as light is used around 130 times in the Old Testament. This shows that when Jesus uses it to define his own purpose, there should be no doubt that he is proclaiming that he is God.
For you and me, this ministry of Jesus as the light of the world is vital. We are born in the darkness of sin and separated from God. We live in this darkness and under the control of Satan until we choose to do something about it. The solution is to move from darkness to light. Jesus is that light. Jesus is the only one who can break through the bondage of darkness.
Once we accept the light of Jesus for our salvation, we now have his light as part of our character. 1 John 1:7, But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. This light in our lives serves as a means of assuring our consistency. Ephesians 5:8-11, For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
As we become more consistent in representing the light of Christ, we can use it to honor our Lord by letting our light be visible to this dark world. Matthew 4:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.