“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘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, ESV
My Uncle Bobby always had flashlights available everywhere in the house. Now I know why. As I get older, I need more light to illuminate dark corners of the closet or to read the small print on a menu in a dimly lit restaurant.
Perhaps you are searching for light in the darkness. In what ways does the light of the world reveal how to find freedom from darkness?
Light exposes darkness
When we hide in darkness, we believe no one sees our sin. As Jesus said, “‘For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed” (John 3:20, ESV). Our sin separates us from God and we are lost in the dark.
God sentenced us to the complete darkness of eternal death (Romans 6:23). Jesus 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, ESV). The light of the world reveals our sin. We find freedom from darkness, guilt, and shame because Jesus died in our place.
In John 8:1-11 the teachers of the Law and the religious leaders tried to trap Jesus. They presented a woman caught in the act of adultery and asked Jesus whether she deserved to be stoned to death. It was a no-win situation for Jesus. Instead, Jesus exposed the sin of the Pharisees by saying, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7, ESV).
As they all wandered away, the teachers and religious leaders did not understand Jesus offered freedom from the Law and death.
As for the woman caught in adultery, Jesus set her free by offering redemption, not condemnation. “And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more'” (John 8:11, ESV).
The apostle Paul writes, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2, NIV).
Light illuminates
Many years ago, I went on an archeological expedition in Mammoth Cave. We carried lanterns to light the way since the exploration areas had no electricity. The guide asked us to extinguish our lanterns, and it was very unnerving to be underground in absolute darkness. I was glad to turn on my lantern again!
We depend on light to illuminate our path and guide our way so we don’t get lost. God showed the Israelites the way through the wilderness in a pillar of fire (Exodus 13:21–22).
When we accept Jesus, the Holy Spirit illuminates the truth. Jesus said, ‘But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come” (John 16:13 NIV).
The Holy Spirit is our guide, advocate, intercessor, counselor, comforter, and helper. He shows us the way to adopt healthy habits and avoid unhealthy ones. We rely on His power, not our own willpower, to resist temptation.
Light shines on us
When I visited my mom in the nursing home, it guaranteed a good day if the weather permitted me to wheel her outside to the courtyard to sit in the sun. She raised her face to the sun as the light and warmth lifted her spirits.
Our world desperately needs the hope of the light of the world. The darkness of the pandemic, financial instability, racial injustice, police brutality, and social unrest threaten us. We suffer tragedy, grief, anxiety, depression, doubt, despair, disease, and death. It’s difficult to have hope if our present life on earth is all we see. We seek the light at the end of the dark tunnel of suffering.
Amid dark circumstances, you are not alone. Jesus is the light in the dark tunnel. He is right beside you. We find hope and freedom from darkness while walking in His light.
The darkest time of my life was during my treatments for breast cancer. Fear of dying enveloped me. I know now God was with me during all the dark days of physical and emotional pain and exhaustion. Cancer changed my life and brought me back to God.
As John wrote, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7, ESV).
Conclusion
When my brother and I cleaned out Uncle Bobby’s house after he passed away, we found umpteen flashlights. Look closely at the picture of me in Mammoth Cave. You will see one of Uncle Bobby’s small flashlights hanging around my neck.
More posts on “Find Freedom in 2021”
Read more about finding freedom from cravings and finding freedom from bondage.
How to Find Freedom From Cravings
How to Find Freedom From Bondage
Very well written. Like the idea that Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
Thank you so much for your comment, Tom. And for all your support in sharing my blog.
Light is a powerful tool to find our way through this world into our promised eternal life. Believe in Jesus as the light. Thanks for great examples 🙏
Thank you for your comment, Mary Anne. You got to hear my all my thoughts about writing about the “I AM” statements. I am glad you enjoyed the post.
I always love the metaphors of light in the Bible. This is definitely a dark time in the U.S., but what a great reminder that there is still light shining through the darkness. Jesus is our only hope! May we shine for Him.