John 8:12 - Jesus said "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
Christ had just rallied around a woman caught in the act of adultery. She was about to be stoned by the Pharisees. She's probably shaking with fear, shoulders drawn in - trying to prepare for the smack of that first rock being hurled at her. Then Jesus told her accusers, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.'" I can only imagine the dumbfounded look on this lady's face. Full of shame : publicly disgraced - and here is this man challenging those around her. As those with rocks in their hands started to walk away, I'm sure waves of relief began washing over her. There she was, free from accusation and condemnation - in front of Jesus himself.
There's a Wayne Watson song I've always liked (Walk in the Dark) that says, "I'd rather walk in the dark with Jesus than walk in the light on my own." Though I understand the point he's trying to make - something just hit me this morning : I can't walk in the dark with Jesus. It can't happen. It may feel like it - it may even look like it at times - but He is the light of the world.
I can't always reason or figure out what's going on in my life. But I don't have to wait for things to get clearer; having a sunny mountaintop view doesn't indicate that I'm walking with God (but it sure is nice!)
"He who follows Me will not walk in darkness, but HAVE the light of life." I think I wait for the outcome of my plans and actions to produce light - to shed light on my life. But I have the light of life. Maybe the goal for the day should be to follow and HAVE the light of life. Follow and have. Follow and have.
1 comment:
I am most curious about what the light of life means...When God talks about darkness and light, would He define it the same way we would as we refer to our own lives? Can we even fathom what it would be like to walk in light here and now? Do we believe we really can? what would we have to give up within ourselves, what control would we have to relinquish, what faith would we have to grow to walk in the light? I love the idea of light because it seems weightless, it seems like a place to skip and have your arms out, it seems safe and anxious free. I want to go after this with you.
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