I Am the Light of the World
“Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.’”
John 8:12 (NLT)
What’s the most important light in your house? For me, it’s the little blue light on the fridge that keeps me from stubbing my toe when I go to the kitchen for that late-night snack. Light guides our way. It eradicates the darkness. The Prophet Isaiah predicted that “the people walking in darkness would see a great light,” in Isaiah 9:2. When Jesus came at Bethlehem, He shattered the darkness of our world! While teaching in the Temple one day, Jesus declared the second of His seven I Am statements. He said, “I am the light of the world.” Jesus spoke those words in the Treasury, which was the part of the Temple where the offerings were made. It was also where candles burned to symbolize the pillar of fire that once led Israel through the wilderness after the exodus.
Imagine the context of that bold statement in that location! Jesus called Himself the light of the world in the very place where the Jews would easily make the connection to the claim that He was the very God who appeared as a pillar of fire, offering His presence, protection, and guidance to their forefathers in their wilderness journey. Each night, their forefathers only had to look to the sky and see the pillar of fire, reassuring them that God was present with them to protect them on their journey. When the pillar of fire would move, they would know that God was leading them forward, another step closer to the land He promised them. When the pillar of fire remained overhead, they knew they were to stay put and wait where they were. Similarly, Jesus guides the child of God today as the pillar of fire did then. He is the light of the world, offering to us God’s presence, protection, and guidance.
You and I don’t have to live in the dark anymore! We can come to the light and experience His presence, protection, and guidance in our lives. Is He the light of your world? Jesus said, “Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.” John 12:36 (NLT)
Another important part of your daily devotional is spending time with God in prayer. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board lists prayer requests submitted by our members and provides a way to send them some encouragement by using a button on the page to let them know that you prayed for them. Whether you use the Prayer Board, or pray from your heart, the goal is to build the habit of incorporating prayer into your quiet time.
Need prayer yourself? Let us know by submitting a prayer request on the Woodlands Church Prayer Board.