At various points in Jesus' ministry, he spoke about his coming deAfter predicting his death, Jesus told his disciples that they "will have the light with them just a little while longer" and that they should "believe in the light while they have access to it, so that they may become children of light."
Nothing is quite as challenging
as navigating through an unfamiliar place in the dark before your eyes have correctly adjusted. If we choose to walk in the dark, we will encounter a similar challenge as we attempt to navigate our lives in this world.
Jesus is the light of the world. We always have access to Jesus' light living within us. We need Jesus' light to illuminate the dark places around us. Just like our eyes adjust to the dark, if we live our lives guided by
Jesus' shining light, our eyes will adjust to what we are seeing, and we will be able to see the world from a new perspective - through the loving eyes of Jesus.
There is a famous Christian hymn called "Turn your eyes upon Jesus." One of the lines claims that when we look upon Jesus' wonderful face, the things of the world will grow strangely dim. I understand what the author of this song was trying to say, but my experience has been
very different.
I have found that the more I gaze upon Jesus' face, the brighter and sharper the world becomes; I can see God in every place and every person; I can better distinguish between light and dark, good and evil, right and wrong.
When we see by the light of Jesus, we will better notice the injustices in the world and actively work to combat them. We will provide for
the poor, visit the prisoners, and heal the sick.
When we live by the light of Jesus, we will bring light into the dark corners of the world, and that light will begin to spread until no darkness is present.
Let us heed Jesus' words: "Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light."
How will you live in the light today?
Reflections by Rev Joe Taylor
