Friday 13 September, 2019
I am the light of the world
“Jesus spoke to them again, ‘I am the light of the world,’ he said. ‘People who follow me won’t go around in the dark; they’ll have the light of life!’… As long as I’m in the world, I’m the light of the world.” (John 8:12; 9:5)
Light, both natural and artificial is a very important factor that contributes grossly to the vitality of life. This is because according to the Collins dictionary, ‘Light is the brightness that lets you see things.’ Without light, we wouldn’t be able to see, without light life is unimaginable since light does not only aid our visibility but also ‘good lighting reduces the risk of health problems, increases safety, and enhances productivity.’
- Also read: You are salt and salt of the world
With the value of light to human life stated above, we should be able to understand the significance of Jesus’ declaration: I am the light to the world. By this statement, Jesus claims that he is the source of the vitality of the world; through him the world sees, perceives and becomes productive. Writing about Jesus being light of the world, Michael J. Wilkins writes that ‘Jesus is the incarnate Word of God, who has come as the light that enlightens all people (John 1:4-14), so that those believing in him will no longer be in darkness (12:46).’
The world is infested with darkness—the thick blanket of sin which can only be broken though by the light of Christ. The Spirit of Christ in a believer helps him to overcome the darkness of sin; such has the light of eternal life and no longer walks in darkness. Since Christian life is a call to an eternal union with Christ, they who are in Christ should not only walk in the light of Christ but also reflect the same.
In Christ, “we are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won’t need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining—they just shine” (Dwight L. Moody).
Prayer: Jesus light of the world, shine your light in my heart that I may be a lamp shining in a dark world. Amen!
Rev. J
Rev. Julius I. Tabi is a Dean of Students’ Affairs at Uganda Christian University Arua Campus. He is an ordained minister in the Anglican Diocese of Ma’di and West Nile (Church of Uganda) and serves as chaplain at Ushindi Secondary School in Arua. Julius is a student of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology of Uganda Christian University. He holds a Master of Philosophy in Religion, Society and Global Issues at MF Norwegian School of Theology. Prior to his pastoral training, Julius trained as a high school Biology and Chemistry teacher. You may reach him by completing the form below.
JIT Global Impact Ministries 
