The Light of the World: What Jesus Meant and Why it Matters
Light: the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible, light is scientifically responsible for the sense of sight. The main source of light on Earth is the sun. Sunlight provides the energy that green plants use to create sugars mostly in the form of starches, which release energy into the living things that digest them. This process provides virtually all the energy used by living things.
In other words, without light, we cannot see or live.
Lately I have been practicing illustration, I watch a lot of youtube videos and follow a lot of artists on instagram. One thing I noticed that differentiated the look of my drawings and the look of the artists I consider to be good, was the light. Without light in a drawing it looks very dimensionless, it lacks a certain style that I like for some of my artwork. I’ve started to practice adding light and shadows to the pieces and it’s really interesting to see my drawings side by side, one with light and one without. The one without, lacks definition whereas the one with, does not.
This started to make me think about light a lot and what Jesus would have been telling us when He mentioned it. SIDE NOTE: I find it intriguing that Jesus even used the metaphor of light. At the time of His existence, scientists hadn’t even begun to grasp the correct idea of light and what it was.
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.” John 8:12
Remember when you were a kid and the dark seemed so intimidating? Even now it’s not smart or an extremely comfortable feeling to be walking by yourself in the dark. Absence of light brings the feeling of being unaware, the unknown and the inability to feel safe. We feel safe when we can see clearly, when we can make plans and have an understanding of our current or future situations.
When Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” He wasn’t just saying it to be cute or catchy. I believe He was saying it to mean, “I am the natural agent that stimulates your sight, I am your ability to see, I am the only way to have definition and clarity in your life. I am the source of all living things.” Pretty amazing, huh?
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16
Just take a second with that one. He just said you have the same ability that He does, the ability to give sight and life to others.
One of my favorite inventions is the iphone flashlight. I pretty much use it everyday, I even offer it to other people to use when they can’t see something. I’ve noticed everyone is pretty quick to do that in effort to help, its easy and we all have one. I think the iphone flashlight is a modern day explanation of what Jesus was saying with the lampstand. When we have Him we become that same natural agent to others.
It would be great if we became just as confident with Jesus as we are with our iphone flashlight. Assured in the outcome and confident that He is the only way to see and do anything.
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