We all know the name Jesus. We’ve grown up hearing about Him, read a few stories about Him, and most of us have a basic understanding of how His life played out here on earth (virgin birth, walking on water, dying on a cross). But, do we really know Him? Have we gone past just hearing, and begun experiencing? Thats what were gonna be looking at for these next few weeks. We’re gonna dig a little deeper, and move past just hearing about Jesus, and begin a relationship with him.
We’re gonna do this by looking at some different things that Jesus is in our lives, how He loves us, the hope He brings and the friendship He wants to have with us. For this first week though, the focus is going to be Jesus being the light.
But, what does that even mean? “Jesus is the light”, that sounds really fancy and spiritual, but when we break it down its actually really simple, and makes a lot of sense. In John 8:12, Jesus says this about being the light…
“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." - John 8:12
He’s saying Himself, that He is the light, and even goes on to say what that means for us by stating that those who follow Him, won’t be stuck in darkness, but that they’ll have a life full of light. But what does that mean?
Have you ever felt like you were kinda just going through the motions, without really knowing what you're doing or where you're going? Thats what "being in the darkness" means. Not understanding who you are or how much potential you have. And its that same darkness that the Light has come to destroy. Jesus brought the Light so He could help show you where to go, and so you could see how awesome and full of potential you really are. And then, after you can see who you are, where you're going and the potential you have, He wants you to help those around you discover the light of Jesus for themselves.
“So don’t hide your light! Let it shine brightly before others, so that the commendable things you do will shine as light upon them, and then they will give their praise to your Father in heaven.” - Matthew 5:16
We’re supposed to allow the light (Jesus) to shine through us, so much so that people will be able to see that there’s something different about you, that there’s something inside of you that’s pushing you toward grace, love, and mercy. This light, if we allow it to, will change us from the inside out. Which will make walking through life a lot easier than if we stayed in the darkness.
Jesus came to be the light. The light that shows us our path, changes us inside and makes life so much more enjoyable.
What do you think it means to have relationship with Jesus? What are some ways you think you could allow the light of Jesus to shine through you?