Devotional: Walk In the Light John 8:12

“Then Jesus again spoke to them saying, ‘I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life’” (Jn. 8:12, NASB).

Christmas is the season that Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus. It is a time that we think about the hope, peace, joy, and love of God. When Jesus is born it is a dark world for the Israelites. They are ruled by the Romans whose military might enable them to control the whole known world. It is a period in which many people are poor, diseased, displaced, and despised by society.

The word “dark/darkness” is a key word in the Gospel of John. It can mean ignorance; in the gospel it often refers to ignorance of God. If a person lives in darkness they do not know, that is, they do not see God’s activity in the world and in their life. Although Christmas is a time that Christians proclaim Jesus to be the Light of the world, the truth is that Christmas is a dark time for many people. People are burying their lost ones. People are losing their jobs. People are getting diagnosis of illness and disease. Divorces and family breakups are taking place. For many people Christmas is a dark time. It is a time of loneliness, depression, and despair. However, there is light.

When Jesus is born in Bethlehem shepherds are “keeping watch over their flock by night” (Lk. 2:8, NASB). “And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened” (v. 9). The angel speaks and the shepherds fear is subsided.

In the Gospels; especially John, Jesus is the Light of the world. In the passage we have before us Jesus responds to ignorant and evil leaders of the Jews. There is much debate about Jesus. Who is Jesus and where does He get these new and strange ideas from? Why are the people attracted to Him and His teaching? Jesus responds to their questions by declaring Himself to be the Light of the world. Jesus invites us to walk in the Light. If Jesus is the Light, He is the source of knowledge of God because He is God. His life demonstrates who God is and what God is like. “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” (Jm. 1:4-5, NASB).

Christians are called to walk in the Light. We can take possession of Jesus by faith. We can know that the Lord is with us at all times regardless of the trials that come into our life. The song writer says, “He promised never to leave me, Never to leave me alone.”

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we thank you for sending the Light into the world. We believe that Jesus is the Son of God and the Light of the world. Amen.