Journal Entry // April 20, 2021
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12 ESV
As I contemplate this passage, I am reminded of how I have always really focused on Jesus being the light of the world. This beacon of hope in a dark world that I am drawn to like a moth to a flame. I still feel that is a good, helpful, and appropriate analogy. But there seems to be something more this time in my reading and thinking. As the Lord has been working to reveal the darkness in my heart, the light of life doesn’t just draw me toward himself but reveals what was once hidden in the darkness.
In this passage, Jesus was not confronting the leaders to just come into the light and enjoy the presence of the Lord. That was surely an implication of walking in the light of life. Jesus is confronting the leaders by shining the light of life into their heart and revealing the sins, the lies, and the hypocrisy that reigns unchecked in their heart. His words were penetrating their hearts and shining his beautiful pure light into their dark wicked hearts.
This is true for me as well. Walking in the light of Christ does mean that the path before me is illuminated with truth and my steps can be sure as I keep my eyes focused on Christ. It also means that God will continue to shine the light of Christ into my heart and reveal the sins and hypocrisy still residing in the dark recesses. Those deep resilient sins that I am hesitant to deal with and really truly desire. The light of Christ shines into those dark crevices as the Lord sees fit to expose.
Praise the Lord that he doesn’t fully reveal the extent of evil and wickedness dwelling within me. I think I would give up and resign myself to defeat if I truly knew the depth of darkness within me. As it is, I struggle. I struggle to keep my eyes focused on Jesus. The light of Christ has illuminated the world around me and has driven away the darkness before me. Yet my flesh remembers the darkness. It has a fondness for secret sin. My heart is tantalized by the allure of sin. The lies can seem so true to this flesh that is so weak.
The light of life shines forth and illuminates the world around me. The light shines forth into my heart and soul. The Lord is teaching me to recognize those sins that are now revealed. Some lay dormant and are simple matters to be rid of. Some are active and require special attention and effort. And some… Well some are enormous and intimidating. These are the giants that have reigned for far too long. They have been broken and have lost their power over me, but they still have the skill to entrap me. The light of Christ breaks these down. The light of life begins to break the bonds of these old giants and their hold on me is released. It takes work and effort to remove them. It takes patience and repentance. It takes the word of God. It takes the Spirit living within me. Working… Changing… Reviving.
The challenge is to keep shining the light of Christ into my heart. To keep following the light of Christ in this world. To lift my eyes onto the Lord of glory and follow him wherever he leads. To understand that life and love is in his light alone.