Introduction:
Have you ever tried to walk from one side of a room to the other while it is completely dark? It normally ends in a stubbed toe or stepping on a Lego. No matter the case, it is normally slow moving and you always end up a little off track from where you wanted to go. This is how most people feel in their walk through life. We kind of know where we want to go but not sure how to make it there. The best way to illustrate this is through the example of light and darkness. It is easy to walk with a purpose when there is light, we know where we want to go and how to get there. But we also know what it is like to walk in the dark, continually guessing where we are and where we are going.
John 8:12
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Think about it:
One of the first things to observe in this passage is Jesus says that everyone is either walking in light or in dark. It’s one extreme or the other. Everyone who does not follow Jesus is walking in darkness. All we need to do is look at the world around us to see that this is true. The rat race for money, possession, and power is evident. There are wars and rumors of wars. People pursuing whatever their heart desires, moving to and fro with no direction. But Jesus says that he is the light, and what does light do, it reveals and illuminates everything around. When we follow Jesus, the hard questions about life and the purpose of life come to light. We no longer walk aimlessly in the dark stumbling about, but have hope and purpose through Jesus!
Take away:
Jesus is the light of the world, illuminating what was once concealed.
Personal reflection:
Write about a time that you knew you were walking in spiritual darkness and what that was like. What is it like to walk in light of the true Light, Jesus Christ?