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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Hello she’s. I’m on the west coast and a slower riser due to having chronic pain so I don’t often comment. I always read every post and feel as though you are my extended family so today I will post a prayer request even though I generally get no responses due to the last posting time. I have two daughters, 8 and 10. Both have had medical issues in the past and continue to struggle. For my youngest it’s speech and feeding and as well as some breathing issues as well, but for my oldest it’s much more behavioral. She was born too me early and too small and has issues stemming from losing that lady trimester of developing. She has adhd and anxiety and likely other diagnoses but we haven’t pursued getting names past those. We are struggling. Her behavior is begging any child I’ve worked with in the past, disrespectful, lacking all social norms, prodding and poking at family until we burst, just to see the reaction. I homeschool and I am weary. My 8 year is so sweet, so good and I struggle daily to not wish my eldest could be more like her. Every day, every hour is a struggle with my oldest. We’ve removed food dyes and cut back on sugar in her diet, tried CBD, caffeine and herbs to no avail. I need prayers that I can find a way to get through to her and not end every day in frustrated tears. It’s hard to discuss her to family because I don’t want them to see her as broken but I need people i can share with. Her and I have always been close but this newer attitude (she’s always been extremely impulsive and shortsighted but now it’s being pushed by a horrible attitude of disrespect and snottiness) is really throwing up barriers to offer relationship. My husband and I are at our wits end. Our church doesn’t offer parenting help and while both our parents live close my mil is overwhelmed by her and won’t watch her much, and my mom caters to her which doesn’t help things. I just need wisdom and insight into what to change or do, or how to endure. Thank you she’s. I’m praying for so many of you, Victoria, Rachel, Jennifer. I read every day and pray for you all. This is my 3rd time posting. Love this community.
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Love love love this Alayna
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I am very sorry for your loss. You and your family will e in my prayers tonight. Praying that his light stays shining within you. I know this is a very difficult time for you.
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For all we know, they might have been her “clients”. She couldn’t commit adultery without at least one willing man.
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I am in tears as I read through these beautiful comments. I am beyond grateful to have this amazing community. The wisdom shared here is helping me grow a deeper faith ❤️ the way you all pray for each other, check on each other and show love to each other is humbling. As I read about the adulteress forgiven I love that Jesus, the one without sin…the only one who could throw the first stone, forgives her and simply tells her to go and sin no more ❤️ I’m sure the women left and was changed forever but how could she possibly not sin ever again!? Jesus forgives over and over! I am forgiven over and over! And each time I am transformed by His amazing grace….each time I am becoming more like Him. He is an amazing redeemer!
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Jesus brings God’s presence, protection, and guidance.
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Praise God for being our light. “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path”. Praying for the prayer requests of our dear sisters and the heartbreaks poured out. May you soon see tremendous/ overwhelming victory. You will look and look, but your enemies (spiritual, physical or under any form) are no more.
May this promise come true for you today, “One man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the LORD your God who fights for you, just as HE promised you.” Joshua 23:10
Be blessed and greatly strengthened in the Lord dear sisters! Have a lovely weekend! -
Although God rejects our sin, he never rejects the sinner.
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