The Jesus Bible Reading Planنموونە

THE LIGHT

As night fell, the darkness of the desert made travel virtually impossible. The movement of thousands of people across a rugged terrain was not easy in the day, much less at night. Light was a practical necessity for survival in the wilderness. Without it, the people would be left to stumble in the darkness, face the constant fear of unforeseen attacks by their enemies and struggle to accomplish the basic actions necessary for living in a harsh land.

Once again, God provided for his people in a unique way. Rather than asking the people to create light, he provided it for them in the form of a pillar of fire. Often a mark of judgment, here the fire of God was a means of his provision. Even more, the fire embodied the presence of God among his people. The Israelites simply looked out at night, saw the pillar of fire and were reminded that God was their God and they were his people. He had broken into the darkness of human history and chosen them to be his. Even in the wilderness, they were reminded that God had worked mighty deeds of deliverance on their behalf and was leading them to the land of promise.

God’s very being is characterized by light. The apostle John wrote, “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all” (1Jn 1:5). His holiness is described as a perfect light, without the darkness of sin. Jesus, as the perfect Son of God, was sent on a mission to a dark world. His birth was the embodiment of God’s light (Jn 1:5). He came to a sin-darkened world and overcame that darkness by his all-consuming light.

He lights the path by which all those who know him can follow him. God’s children no longer have to cower in the darkness; they can come into the light where they will discover newfound safety, peace and joy. In fact, a central mark of God’s people is that they love the light. Sin festers and grows in the darkness, so those who long to obey God renounce the darkness and drag their sin into the light of God’s grace. There they find fellowship with God and fellowship with one another (1Jn 1:6 – 7). In God’s light, sin is hated, repentance is ongoing and holiness is pursued.

Jesus, you are the perfect light. Thank you for shining into my dark, empty spirit. Help me to walk in your light, pursuing your holiness, and not stray off the path into darkness. Amen.