The Light of the World
Open Your Bible
John 7:53, John 8:1-30, Isaiah 60:19-22, 1 John 1:5-7, 1 John 2:8
BY Lore Ferguson Wilbert
I used to be a morning person, when mornings used to be quiet, solitary, and slow. This year they’ve been abrupt, noisy, and shoving—everything mornings should not be. I am disgruntled while I tie my shoes. It’s barely past 5 am. I know mothers and wives and fathers and farmers and workers all over the world wake up this early, but I am self-employed and childless and I have convinced myself I’m owed uninterrupted sleep until at least 6 a.m. Our dog disagrees, and in fact, seems to think the fastest way to my heart right now is through her leash. She noses me until I relent and meet her at the front door.
Outside, the moon is a pregnant belly, super and bright, shining the whole still-dark neighborhood over. How strange, I think, that the Son of God would call Himself the “Light of the World” (John 8:12) when the most constant, earthly source of light disappears every night.
But this morning I remember the pillar of fire by night and the cloud by day (Exodus 13:21–22); I remember the star shining in the east (Matthew 2:1–2), the day the sun stood still (Joshua 10:12–13), and the day the earth went dark (Matthew 27:45–54). I think about how the God of the universe created the orbs and commands them even now. He is the One who sets clouds the size of a man’s fist in the sky and makes it rain for forty days and forty nights (Genesis 7:11–12).
Jesus tells us, “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). But the kind of light He offers, is not of the natural, earthly sort. His light is supernatural and He freely offers it to whomever would follow Him.
Yes, Jesus is the Light of the World, but when our hope is in anything or anyone other than Him, the world can grow terribly dark in a hurry. I tend to believe Jesus is near and present when I can clearly see His hand at work in my life. But when I cannot see Jesus at work in my life, He seems absent, distant, and busy, too tied up with more important things—more important people—than me.
But this morning, the supermoon shines a deceptive light on my path—blue, dim, shadowed. Not sunlight, but still of the sun—whether I can see it or not. Walking with the Light of the World is like that, too, I think to myself. I am still walking in darkness, but I know the light exists.
I come back home to a still, dark, quiet house with a somewhat less rambunctious pup. She snores beside me on the floor, and I drink my coffee slowly, quietly. I have the light of life, I think to myself, even today, in this season that feels dark in many ways. I have the light of life because I follow Jesus, and He never fails to shine, even when His light feels hidden by this world and the brokenness within it.
He is the one, true Light of this World—the sun pales in comparison to the light of His presence. “Even darkness is not dark” to Him (Psalm 139:11–12).
I light a candle and the room, once dark, is light again.
93 thoughts on "The Light of the World"
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I am so sorry for you that are struggling and facing such hard challenges. God sees you. He knows. Jesus suffered as well and knows how we feel in our pain and hurt. I am thankful that we have the full story right there for us, to open and remind us every day, every hour, we need Him. Oh Lord we need Thee. Cry out unto Him and let Him comfort you and hold you.
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I too am curious about Jesus writing in the dirt. Was he writing the names of the men accusing the woman and thus shaming them? As a parent I know that the less I try to argue or justify my parenting decisions and stay calm as Jesus did, the more profound the response. I give my children freedom to feel their own convictions.
Thank you Lord. -
I too am curious about Jesus writing in the dirt. Was he writing the names of the men accusing the woman and thus shaming them? As a parent I know that the less I try to argue or justify my parenting decisions and stay calm as Jesus did, the more profound the response. I give my children freedom to feel their own convictions.
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Jennifer, I’m so sorry for the loss of your sister. And ECS, I’m sorry that you are dealing with everything associated with this disease. I can’t imagine going through either of these situations. Praying for wisdom, comfort, and the peaceful hand of the Father to be with you both. He will never leave you!
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JENNIFER, I am so sorry for the season you are walking through, for your loss and the journey you are on with the grieving process. I am praying for you, the Lord is near and does not forget his children. My heart is with you. SARAH D., I am praying for you. I had really bad anxiety in the past and I found changing my surroundings helped, i decided to no longer be part of social media (which helped me a lot), I journaled, and really worked on “breathing prayer” a constant flow of conversation with the Lord, naming my anxieties helped, I also listened to No Longer Slaves by Bethel Music on repeat. Anyways, I’ll be praying for you! ECS, I am praying for you, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us (Romans 8:37)! VICTORIA E. I am so thankful for you, thank you, I am praying for your situation for you to feel the clarity that comes from the Lord. || everyone who has prayed for me and our baby & who continue to pray I am forever grateful. Thank you. Praying for you all Sisters, I love you all dearly. I am so thankful for this community.
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He IS the light of the world. As what we all have experienced in the last 2 years I have continued to tell family and friends we are blessed. Be thankful for the light even in the darkness.
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Amen
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Loved Lore’s devotion and continue to learn sooo very much from the Scripture.
I’ve always been curious as to what Christ wrote in the dirt. I wonder if maybe it was “sin”. This story is one I’ve always found intriguing and thought provoking — here are these Jewish religious leaders trying to condemn a young women who made a bad choice in life and yet I wonder if any of them may have even had adulterous thoughts.
Sisters be blessed and let’s bring Jesus’ Light to the world.
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