light of the World

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

LIGHT OF THE WORLD

John 9:1-5

9:1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" 3 "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." 

NIV

Having considered the conundrum regarding the issue of infirmities and bringing glory to God, we should also consider the rest of what Jesus said. Jesus is referring to day and night as in life and death, at least in regards to his own ministry. But that also applies to our ministry and that does not mean just those who are titled as ministers, but to all believers for each has been given a ministry. Every believer, as a living stone, being built into the temple of God, has a function, a place in which to serve both the other stones surrounding it and as the temple for others to come in and find God and then become a living stone themselves. We can only do this, being a living stone, while it is the day. The night is coming and at that time we cannot work. Jesus said that while he is in the world, of course, he used the term, “I AM” which cannot be unseen, once seen, he or “I AM” is the light of the world. There is no question that Jesus is the light of the world. His light reveals who God is and the sin in man, sin which he has the power and authority to forgive. Early in the preceding chapter, we were told as long as we followed Jesus we would not walk in darkness but have the light of life. Still, he also said that we are the light of the world.

Matt 5:14-16

14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

NIV

If then we are the light of the world, as long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent us. We have been sent into the world. He commanded us to go into all the world and do the work he sent us to do, preach the good news. Again, that is not just for those who have that title, “Preacher”, but for all believers. We all are to light the way to Jesus. What sense is there to hide it within the church? What sense is it to hide the fact we are believers. We do just that when we keep silent. We do that when we do not take a stand against evil? Does everyone who we encounter know we are the light of the world, or is our light under wraps? Are we being disobedient when we do not let our light shine before men? We are to shine our light before men, that they may see our good toil, our good occupation, or business, employment, or what is accomplished by hand, which is the meaning of the word, works. This may be applied as “Good deeds”, but then what are “Good deeds?” Certainly, we can be sure whatever we do within the church, and however good that may be, it does not fulfill being a light to the world thus letting our light shine before men, that they can see our doing our all at whatever we do, so they will praise our Father in heaven. Then that brings another problem which is not taking any of the praise of men for our good work. It also means we should be careful not to think more highly of ourselves then we should, just because we are shining our light. With all that Jesus did, he always gave glory to his Father, the one who sent him. We need to always remember, as we shine our light, it is supposed to reveal Jesus, not us. We are only the light, a light that gives light to be able to see what it is shining on. Just as the light of day, which we cannot really see, but can only see what it shines on, our light should only shine on Jesus for all to see.