“Then Jesus told them, ‘You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.’ When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.” (John 12:35-36)

In the opening of John’s Gospel concerning the Word, the Word is described as both life and light. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . .. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:1, 4-5) He would also connect light with the glory of God. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) It is this glory which will light eternity. “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” (Revelation 21:23)

In the week that would end with Jesus’ crucifixion and His burial, Jesus would tell the crowds of His identity as the light. “Then Jesus told them, ‘You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.’” (John 12:35-36) He had expressed this before to the crowds who had followed. “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

When we come to faith in Jesus Christ, His presence in our lives brings to us the light. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 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. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16) Doing the good works which He has prepared for us to do, His light shines through us. Then the world will see God in us and will be drawn to God Himself. This is because of His transformation in us. “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:8-10)

Living in the light and allowing the light to shine through us unites us as believers. It also shows the presence of Jesus Christ in our lives. “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, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7) Walking daily with the Word, Jesus Christ, allows our Heavenly Father to reveal His grace and His truth through our lives. Then the world can see the light of Christ and be drawn to Him.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block