Thoughts for the Day

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.'

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

This is the second of the "I am" sayings that we have looked at. The first was "I am the bread of life" (click on "I am (1)" above), and now Jesus says "I am the light of the world". In the world of 2,000 years ago people were accustomed to darkness, and light was a great luxury. Imagine how most ordinary people lived, using a little pottery lamp with a flax or cotton wick fed into an olive oil container. It wouldn't have given much light, and it would have made any kind of fine work impossible.

Today bright lights are seen from miles away - they can guide a ship to the safety of a harbour; or keep it away from rocks; or help rescuers find someone stranded at sea. Surgeons will use the brightest of lights to carry out operations; we use daylight bulbs for needlework; and of course we even have the ability to use night-vision goggles using infra-red light.

These little words "I am" from Jesus see him claiming equality with God. Remember, when Moses asked God what he should call him, God says his name is "I am". In other words He just is! Even a small light can pierce darkness, and Jesus brings God's light, his piercing brightness to everything in our world. No darkness (that is, sin), will escape his gaze.

Lord Jesus,
'Light of the World',
bring Your light into our life,
that we may see what is
displeasing to You,
and make changes
this Lent.
Amen.