The Light of the World

“Bless the Lord, o my soul, o my soul
“Worship His holy name
“Sing like never before, o my soul
“I’ll worship Your holy name
“The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning
“It’s time to sing Your song again
“Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me
“Let me be singing when the evening comes”
— From Matt Redmond’s “10,000 Reasons”

Was it the Word “Light” spoken (Genesis 1:1 – 3 and John 1:1 - 5) that pierced the darkness?  Was it the Star out of Jacob, the Scepter that rose out of Israel prophesied in Numbers 24:17 that manifested the star sign shining over the place where the young child lay? Or the seed of the woman into whose dark womb was sown the spark of life and light, the seed of the word of God? Or is it the seed that creates that spark of life in our hearts by which we sing, “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine x2 Let it shine x3.”  It was all those things and more.  Christ in us shines the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27) We are the stars Abraham saw by faith. (Genesis 15:5) As children of faith, we house the spirit of God.  The light hidden in the dark soil of our souls waiting to burst forth in new life.  Abraham saw two kinds of progeny:  the sand on the seashore and the stars in the sky if they can be numbered.

“The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin
“The light of the world is Jesus
“Like sunshine at noonday his glory shone in
“The light of the world is Jesus
“Come to the light ‘tis shining for thee
“Sweetly the light has dawned upon me
“Once I was blind (in darkness) but now I can see
“The light of the world is Jesus”

The wise men connected the dots of the prophecy of the star.  Having an epiphany, a moment of sudden revelation or insight, they began their search for the new king born in Israel.  We remember them on Jan. 6.  God’s word, the scripture, the Bible, does that.  Light overcomes, dispels the darkness (John 1:5). Like a cartoon character with a light bulb drawn over his head, we say, “A light just went off in my head and now I understand, I see.”  
The blindness John Newton described in Amazing Grace need never hinder us.  Though once lost, Christ found us.  Though once blind, we see.  
The life of God described in John 1:4 is the light of the world.  Christ lived the life of humble, sacrificial love and we are called to follow his steps.  Though our outward physical body is dying daily, our spiritual man is renewed everyday. (2 Corinthians 4:16)  God fills our mouths with good things so our youth is renewed like the eagles (Psalm 103:5).  What are we seeking after?  Wisdom, riches, fame, success? Godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6).  We are beginning a new year.  What will we seek this year?  King David gave voice to his aspiration in Psalm 27:4.  One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.

(Cathy Bayert is pastor of Greybull First Baptist Church.)