Lord's Day Devotion - Light of the World

Light reveals, brightens, warms, cheers, penetrates darkness, gives energy, helps things grow, gives life, brings us oxygen for breathing and no doubt many more benefits radiate from it.  There are greater lights and lesser lights like the sun, moon and stars created by God.  

Light can be bright and it can be brighter.  I was charmed by what  Isaiah had to say in Isaiah 30:26 (ESV),

"Moreover, the light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day when the LORD binds up the brokenness of his people and heals the wounds inflicted by his blow." 

Look what the LORD's light can do.  Yes, the context of this verse was for when the children of Israel were able to be released from their captivity in Babylon and go back to their own land of Israel; yet it does seem prophetic to me.  

Connect the Isaiah verses with what John the Baptist's father, Zechariah, prophesied when he was filled with the Holy Spirit, as we read in Luke 1:68-70 (ESV).  He starts off blessing the Lord God of Israel, and mentions that his son John will be "the prophet of the Most High God...to prepare his ways..." and that the One he is preparing for will be "the sunrise" and will,

"...give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." (vs 79).

Whomever was he referring to?

I believe most of us know the answer well;  none other than our Lord Jesus Christ.  He Himself declares,

"I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Isn't He wonderful! 

Jesus showed up His light so that we may be free.  He has shown his Light into our hearts and minds to reveal to us what was there and the need of Him.  He bought and brought us His salvation.  We followers of Jesus Christ can be so thankful for this.

From the Light of His salvation we can grow in our Jesus life like plants in the sunshine. 

And guess what else!?   We look forward to being with Him in Heaven where His temple is the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb, the Light of the world.  Did you know that,

"...the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb"?  (Revelation 21:22-23)

Because of Jesus Who is the Light of the World, we will experience this glorious Light for all eternity.  What a wonderful feeling and future to look forward too!

When we followers of Jesus Christ remember Him in His death and resurrection, taking of the bread and wine emblems on Lord's Day, showing what His death has accomplished for us, let us be glad and grateful for the Light of His salvation shining in our lives.

No doubt you all at one point or another in your lives have seen and/or visited a lighthouse.  I grew up by the sea and have seen them and even been in them.  Lighthouses function as beacons to those at sea warning of danger,  helping the sea captains to navigate their way safely.  

Similarly may we in turn shine out His light of life and love to others bringing them hope, cheer, healing from brokenness, and give comfort such as we have enjoyed.  Help others plot their life course straight to Jesus, the Light of the world.

                                                ~ERC  November 2018~

Here's a song sung by Tim Hughes called Light of the World