Lent 29 - The Light of the World

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John 12:35-36

After predicting his death, Jesus told his disciples that they "will have the light with them just a little while longer" and that they should "believe in the light while they have access to it, so that they may become children of light."

There is nothing quite as challenging as navigating through an unfamiliar place in the dark before your eyes have properly adjusted. We encounter a similar challenge as we attempt to navigate our lives in this world if we choose to walk in the dark.

Jesus is the light of the world. We always have access to Jesus' light living within us today. We need Jesus' light to illuminate the dark places in the world around us. Just like our eyes adjust to the dark, if we live our lives guided by Jesus' shining light, our eyes will adjust to what we are seeing and we will be able to see the world in a new perspective - through the loving eyes of Jesus.

There is a famous Christian hymn called "Turn your eyes upon Jesus." One of the lines claims that when we look upon Jesus' wonderful face, the things of the world will grow strangely dim. I understand what the author of this song was trying to say, but my experience has been very different. 

I have found that the more I gaze upon Jesus' face, the more the world grows brighter and sharper; I am able to see God in every place and every person; I am able to better distinguish between light and dark, good and evil, right and wrong.

When we see by the light of Jesus, we will start to notice the injustices in the world and we will actively work to combat them. We will provide for the poor, we will visit the prisoner, we will heal the sick.

When we live by the light of Jesus, we will bring light into the dark corners of the world and that light will begin to spread until there is no longer any darkness present. 

Let us pay heed to Jesus' words: "Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light."

Prayer: Jesus Christ, You are the Light of the World. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness can not overcome it. You have shown us, through Your life on Earth, how to live a life of love, peace and justice. You now reside within us and provide us with light to be able to better see in the dark world around us. May we always seek Your light in the world and share Your light with the world. Amen

Image Source: New York Public Library

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