By Not Known
LIGHT Light is a common theme in many religions. Candles and other lights are
used in various religious observances in temples, synagogues, churches and
other religious buildings.
What is the spiritual significance of light?
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Light shows us what we are really like – with all our faults and needs.
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Light shows the way from where we are to where we want to be.
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Light is part of celebration, as we use it to share and show our joy.
All these elements are present in Christianity.
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Our celebratory Christmas lights echo of Jesus’ birth when the heavens were ablaze with a dazzling light display (Lke 2:8-9).
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The Psalms speak of how God’s word is a light to our path showing our way(Ps119:105).
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Light shows our sins publicly, whereas darkness hides them (Eph 5:11- 13).
The Christian significance of light goes one dramatic step further with the
declaration by Jesus that: I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (Jn 8:12).
This is an intensely personal sense of light that goes far beyond notions of religious or intellectual enlightenment. Jesus promises life itself to those who
leave the darkness to follow him.
When Jesus died, the earth was covered in darkness as sin gathered all its powers (Mt 27:45). When Jesus rose, the scene became flooded with the light of dawn (Mt 28:1). His dark dying is linked to the breaking of sin’s power, just as his bright resurrection links to the freedom and power to become God’s children (Jn 1:12). All this takes us back to the creation when the earth was floodlit with light by God’s command (Gen 1:2-3): God’s business is with light, not darkness.
In short, Jesus is the light that brushes darkness aside. He is the life that is the light of men (Jn 1:4).
How do you live your life? Stumbling about in the darkness and half-light? Or, have you come to the light that is found in Jesus himself? Pray that God will draw you to this light today.