Light of the World - May 30 Readings: 2 Samuel 7-8, John 8:12–30, Psalm 68:29–35, Proverbs 14:3–4

Links to May 30 Readings: 2 Samuel 7-8, John 8:12–30, Psalm 68:29–35, Proverbs 14:3–4

The thought today is simple but profound. In John 8:12 Jesus made a bold claim.

I am the Light of the World.

This world is darkened by sin and only Jesus can do anything about it. Education is a wonderful and positive thing, but education can never enlighten the human soul. Only Jesus can. Philosophers argue the riddles of life and psychologists try to understand the workings of the human mind. But they cannot do anything but help people live a little better in the darkness. The neon lights of entertainment try to shine but they are fleeting and can never provide true light. The world tells us to look inside ourselves for the light but our inborn sin guarantees that this will never succeed.

We human beings will look to everything and everyone for the light we need, but too often we fail to look to the source of real life. Jesus is that light. When you are confused, look to him. When you are discouraged and depressed, look to him. When you are overwhelmed and stressed, look to him. His light is the true light.

But the fact that Jesus is the light of the world requires one more thing of us. Jesus told his disciples that they were the light of the world. Jesus is the Sun, but we are the moon. We reflect the light of Jesus Christ into this world. The light of Jesus, our Savior, shines not only on us and in us, but through us to the world of darkness.

Father, may the light of Christ shine in me to guide and strengthen me, and may it shine through me to this world of darkness.