Shine Christ’s Light (May 23, 2023)

“This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5)

Despite the serious risks associated with getting too much sun, the benefits of exposure to natural light to our physical health are well-known. Light can also significantly impact our mental well-being. We’ve all noticed that when the weather is nice and sunny, we tend to be more cheerful, optimistic, and energetic. On the other hand, a gloomy melancholy seems to come over us when we encounter a string of rainy days that seem to induce sleepiness and a depressed state of mind. Amazingly, our moods can rise and fall depending on the amount of light around us. Just as light significantly impacts us physically and emotionally, its brilliance is vitally important to our spirituality as well.

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

We live in a fallen world shrouded in the darkness of sin and spiritual death. Moved by love for His rebellious creations, Jesus brought spiritual light into the world as the incarnate Son of God who came not to condemn but to liberate the world from bondage to sin by His marvelous grace. Desiring that none perish, our LORD calls everyone to step out of worldly darkness and walk in the light of His righteousness that brings salvation. Faithless people stubbornly choose darkness that shrouds their sin and separates them from God, but Jesus, “the light of the world,” freely offers His faithful followers communion forever in the brightness of His glory! We magnify God’s glory by living lives that reflect Christ and draw others into His everlasting light.

“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)