I Am The Light of the World (Advent Devotional)

As we celebrate Advent, the darkness of late autumn and winter begins to set in. When we rise from our slumber each morning, we are greeted by dark, starlit skies. Shortly after we pull into the driveway from a hard day's work, the darkness creeps back in and quickly ushers us back into our nightly slumber. Some days, the clouds are so dense and the gray so heavy that a shadow of darkness is cast over the entire day. We begin to long for brighter days, earlier dawns, and later dusks. Spring sunlight brings relief after a winter season of darkness. 

After Adam and Eve ate the fruit in the Garden of Eden, darkness set in. It's a darkness we can all feel. To our dismay, as dark as those early days were, there would be darker days coming. The days of Noah were dark. Despite God's pillar of fire, Moses and the Israelites couldn't help but feel the darkness. In the days of the judges, the darkness seemed to reach its peak. Yet, in the days of Israel's corrupt kings, we see some of the darkest days in human history. Sin, idolatry, and darkened hearts gave way to the exile, famine, death, and desolation of God’s chosen people. 

Yet, into the darkness came a great light! "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone" (Isa. 9:2). What did they see? Who was this great light? It was the promised Savior and Messiah. It was the Son of God who caused the light to shine when His Father said, "Let there be light" (Gen. 1:3). He is the Light who came into the world (John 1:9; 3:19). The darkness of sin and death could neither comprehend nor overcome the light of Christ (John 1:5). 

Jesus wasn't shy about this reality, either. He stared Pharisaical darkness directly in the face and said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life." (John 8:12). As further evidence of His true nature and power, just prior to making a blind man see, Jesus declared, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." (John 9:5). In pitch darkness, the light of a candle can illuminate a room. Yet, Jesus wasn’t a flickering candle, He came like a blazing, glorious sun, bursting onto the scene with immeasurable glory. 

The Light of the World reveals the darkness that resides in all of our hearts. He also exposes the deepest needs of those He interacts with, some for their salvation and others for their judgment. His teachings pierce the most learned scholar as well as the ignorant and unlearned (Acts 4:13). Greatest of all, Jesus shined the light of salvation, illuminating the gospel for all who would receive and believe in Him (2 Cor. 4:6).  

This is what Advent is all about. This is why we string up lights and enjoy the glowing flame of the Advent candles each Lord’s Day throughout this wonderful season. The true Light has come into the world. As you meditate on the blazing glory of our Savior, remember this: 

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16) 

When Jesus ascended into heaven, the Light didn't leave the world. He shines through us. As the full moon lights up the night sky, we “shine as lights” in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation (Phil. 2:15). Shine bright, dear brothers and sisters! The world needs to see His glory. ​

Advent is upon us! As we celebrate, the days become shorter and the nights longer. When we wake up in the morning, we see a dark, starlit sky. It seems like right after school the darkness comes back, and we go to sleep. Sometimes, the clouds are thick and the gray sky makes the day feel gloomy. We start to wish for brighter days with earlier mornings and later evenings. Spring sunlight brings relief after a long winter. 

Long ago, after Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, darkness filled the world. We all feel this darkness. Sadly, even darker days were yet to come. The days of Noah were dark. Despite God's pillar of fire, Moses and the Israelites also felt the darkness. In the days of the judges, things seemed to be at their darkest, but they got worse in the days of Israel's corrupt kings. Those were some of the darkest times in Israel’s history. Sin, idol worship, and hard hearts led to exile, hunger, death, great sadness, and emptiness. 

However, into this darkness came a great light! "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness, light has shone on them" (Isa. 9:2). Who was this great Light? It was the promised Savior and Messiah. He's the Son of God who brought light to the world when God said, "Let there be light" (Gen. 1:3). The darkness of sin and death couldn't understand or overcome the light of Christ (John 1:5). 

Jesus wasn't shy about this truth. He looked right into the darkness of the Pharisees and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't walk in darkness but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). Then, just before making a blind man see, Jesus said, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world" (John 9:5). In complete darkness, a candle's light can brighten a room. Jesus was even bigger and even better! Jesus was like the blazing sun bursting into your room on a bright, summer morning! 

The Light of the World shows us the darkness in our hearts. He also shows us what we need most. His teachings reached all kinds of people, whether they were super smart teachers or regular little kids like us. Most importantly, Jesus showed the light of salvation, explaining His good news to all who would receive and believe in Him.  

This is what Advent is all about. It's why we decorate with Christmas lights and light Advent candles on Sunday mornings. Light has come into the world. If you’ve placed your faith in Jesus, He has some amazing words for you: 

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16). 

Did you hear that?! If you’re a Christian, you get to carry the light of Jesus with you everywhere you go! When Jesus went to heaven, the Light didn't leave the world. He shines through us. Just like a full moon brightens the night sky, we “shine like lights” in a sinful world (Phil. 2:15). Shine brightly, kiddos! The world needs to see His glory! ​

Daily Readings 

Day 1: Read John 8:12-30 

• How does the darkness of the Pharisees’ and Jews’ responses prove that they did not have the Light of Christ? 
• Why do you think Jesus chose to use darkness and light imagery? How does the metaphor light connect with the idea of knowing Him? 

Day 2: Read Isaiah 9:1-7 

• How were the days leading up to Christ’s coming described by Isaiah in this passage? 
• What are some of the ways Jesus is described in this passage? How do these words give hope about the One who was to come? 

Day 3: Read Revelation 21:22-27 

• How will the New Temple and New City be lit up after the return of Christ? How does this give us hope and anticipation of Christ’s second Advent? 
• Who will walk in the light of Christ in the days after Christ’s coming? How does this help us understand that Jesus was the light of the world? 

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Song
We The Kingdom - Light of the World (Sing Hallelujah)​