There are those little things that we take for granted. When we are
faced with a life without them suddenly life is so much more difficult,
and we mourn the loss of what was once so common. Electricity, A/C
and running water are among those things. Another more infinitely
simple blessing that we often overlook is light.
It is more than obvious that we would not exist without the light of
the sun. It supplies heat that keeps us from freezing the atmosphere
of space. It keeps all the vegetation alive which keeps us alive. The
light of the sun is an impartial blessing to all people. In the context of
loving your enemies, Jesus spoke of God sending sun and rain upon
the good and evil as an example of His love. “He causes His sun to
rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and
the unrighteous” (Matt. 5:45). In like fashion, God sent His Sun to be
the light for all mankind. “Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, ‘I
am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the
darkness, but will have the Light of life’” (John 8:12). John also
describes the power of the source of this light. “In Him was life,
and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:4-5). In this
description of Himself, we see the usefulness of the Christ as a light
for the world. The Christ is a light that can’t be extinguished in any
way. He is a light that is to guide us through the darkness of this
world. We also need to be filling ourselves with that light, “for you
were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as
children of Light” (Eph 5:8). The life we lived before we became
Christians was a life lived in darkness. Now, we can pattern our lives
after Him. Not only can we be children of light, but we can also put on
the armor of light. “Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness
and put on the armor of light” (Rom. 13:12). We are to be an
influence of light as we shine the light of the Son into the darkness
around us. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they
may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven”
(Matt. 5:16).
The Son shone upon the world and brought the blessing of eternal
life to all who would believe and are obedient to His word. However
Jesus spoke of a time when those who are unfaithful will be separated
from His light. “But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the
outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of
teeth” (Matt. 8:12). A time of utter darkness is coming. Those who
have not prepared and not kept their lamps lit will not be blessed to
be in the presence of the Light. “We must work the works of Him who
sent Me as long as it is day” (John 9:4)