Honest Offering: A 6-Day Devotional With CAINExemplo

Light of the World

(Shine On Us)

Jesus spoke to them again: “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

Take a quick mental count of the number of candles and flashlights you think you have in your house. If you have a mobile phone with a working light, don’t forget to add that! Whatever number you’ve come up with probably tells you something—either you’re well prepared (assuming you also have lighters and/or batteries), or you need to take a trip to the store before the next power outage!

Light has a universal and unalterable effect on darkness; it chases it away. Even the smallest of lights can illuminate a pitch-black room. That’s true of physical light, and Jesus tells us it’s true of spiritual light too. But you can’t stock up on various forms of spiritual light. Jesus stands alone as the light of the world—and He wants to shine on us.

In John’s gospel and letters, he repeatedly refers to Jesus as light. There is no darkness in Him. Unlike every other person who has ever lived, Jesus is perfect. He has no sin. His heart has not one flicker of darkness in it.

Though we continue to sin because we live in a sinful world, the light of Jesus is like a flashlight to our souls. The closer we get to Him, the more darkness gives way. Sin cannot stand next to Jesus; His light is too powerful and overwhelms it. Whoever follows Jesus will have a fully lit path continually before them because no sin and circumstance can ever diminish the light of God.

Are you struggling in the darkness? Ask the light of the world to come shine on you, and He will cast out all darkness! There is nothing better than to stand in the radiance of Christ. Trust Him and lean into Him. He is the God of light.

• Listen to CAIN’s “Shine On Us.” What lyrics stand out to you as particularly encouraging? Which stand out to you as most challenging?

• Do you have to wait for dark times to let the light of the world shine on you? What steps can you take to experience Christ’s light in the good times?
• Thank Jesus that He is the light of the world, and ask Him to shine on you now. As He does, invite Him to make you a light for His name in the places He has put you.